Topic: 2016 Honda Pilot Makes its Canadian Debut

[tenpenny]

This is my idea of a wet dream family hauler. Except, if my kids were teenagers and licenced, they'd be driving on the road trip and I'd be in the back playing video games.

In the old days, you got the kids to drive so you could sit in the back and polish off a bottle of Crown Royal.

Times have changed, I guess.

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[Hannibalsmith]

Looks good in the flesh...it will do well.

[Noto]

Honestly, this thing was a show-stopper...it's a massive update and looks great. functionality is exponentially better, and the only unknown is pricing. Great job by Honda, and did nobody else realize that Honda's 3.5L V6 hasn't been "earthdreamt" yet? Now it has - that's huge news, despite output figures not being announced (afaik)

Ronnie, you may not know me yet, but all absurd man-love on this forum comes from me. Back off, buddy!! 

just teasing, I love you, too, unless you keep referring to automotive corporations as plural persons...Ford HAS, Subaru IS, Honda MAKES, etc.

Fob, your meme-making abilities knows no bounds, and you will be forever adored for it. I would meme you, but airport + blackberry...

Where's that vacations 2015 thread? Flight to Palm Springs departs in an hour!

[tenpenny]

Honestly, this thing was a show-stopper...it's a massive update and looks great.

It must look an awful lot better in person, because those pictures are absolutely uninspiring.




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[Snowman]

Looks good in the flesh...it will do well.

Agreed, and it will appeal to more buyers in this segment IMO.  I recall when we were shopping for the family CUV/SUV my wife quickly scratched it off the list because of its styling.

[conwelpic]

a comparison to the Traverse and Highlander

[Benhaze]

The new Pilot is to me an expression of both what is the typical Honda these past couple of decades and a surprising refreshing new Honda.

Typical: so-so, uninspired exterior designs

Surprising: Honda's (and Acura's) vehicle technology has been way behind about any auto manufacturer offering, save for the SH-AWD and sound system but these two options were release a long time ago. Now Honda offers at last all the latest technology advancement of late in the Pilot and we start seeing them in other models being refreshed.

[hemusbull]

If Honda made any contribution in the automotive industry, it's the creation of abbreviations: from  the positive and widely regarded VTEC; through each new forgotten Acura model from EL to ILX and counting; to this mess here CMBS, LDW, FCW, LKAS, RDM...Is this a sophisticated way to make all of us dummies?

[Solstice2006]

So when I am ready to look for a vehicle capable of towing 5000lbs.  I will be looking at the Highlander, the Pilot (6 speed only), Ridgeline, or GMC Canyon.

Will need to do some major test drives to determine whether to get an EX-L MY 2014 Pilot, or a lower trim 2016 MY2016 Pilot.  If it's a matter of combined fuel rating of 14L to 12L and I can get a good deal on a CPO, then the previous gen may due me fine.  After all, I don't really care about the things Ronnie cares about, 1 USB port is plenty for me! 

The previous gen Highlander I can't stand, so it's a no brainer for the newer gen.  Have to wait for the new Ridgeline to cross shop it with the previous gen Ridgeline, and the GMC Canyon. 

[Benhaze]

So when I am ready to look for a vehicle capable of towing 5000lbs.  I will be looking at the Highlander, the Pilot (6 speed only), Ridgeline, or GMC Canyon.

Will need to do some major test drives to determine whether to get an EX-L MY 2014 Pilot, or a lower trim 2016 MY2016 Pilot.  If it's a matter of combined fuel rating of 14L to 12L and I can get a good deal on a CPO, then the previous gen may due me fine.  After all, I don't really care about the things Ronnie cares about, 1 USB port is plenty for me! 

The previous gen Highlander I can't stand, so it's a no brainer for the newer gen.  Have to wait for the new Ridgeline to cross shop it with the previous gen Ridgeline, and the GMC Canyon.

After seeing how bad is the new Highlander in emergency maneuvers I would have a hard time recommending it.

[JRM]

Now, the Pilot looks just like all the other mid sized car based CUVs.   How inspiring is that?

[Solstice2006]

So when I am ready to look for a vehicle capable of towing 5000lbs.  I will be looking at the Highlander, the Pilot (6 speed only), Ridgeline, or GMC Canyon.

Will need to do some major test drives to determine whether to get an EX-L MY 2014 Pilot, or a lower trim 2016 MY2016 Pilot.  If it's a matter of combined fuel rating of 14L to 12L and I can get a good deal on a CPO, then the previous gen may due me fine.  After all, I don't really care about the things Ronnie cares about, 1 USB port is plenty for me! 

The previous gen Highlander I can't stand, so it's a no brainer for the newer gen.  Have to wait for the new Ridgeline to cross shop it with the previous gen Ridgeline, and the GMC Canyon.

After seeing how bad is the new Highlander in emergency maneuvers I would have a hard time recommending it.

Haven't really looked into that part yet, as I am not in the market right now.  But I did read this "While the last edition had copious body roll and uncommunicative steering, Toyota has reworked the Highlander's front-strut and independent-rear suspension for better handling, and much of its substantial body lean was tuned out in the 2014 redesign. Ride quality is no longer cushy, but it's on the correct side of firm for a vehicle in this size class, though we'd avoid the optional 19-inch wheels to keep the feeling of big wheel impacts to a minimum."

http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1093851_2015-toyota-highlander_performance_3

Haven't read anything about the emergency maneuvers.

[Benhaze]

I am referring to the new model sadly. The reviewers concluded that Toyota tried to used the electronic nannies to control the terrible brakes and soft suspension (but failed) instead of improving the core and design the nannies around it; it is impressive (not in a good way) to see. Will try to find you a link.

[SKYMTL]

Let's hope Honda has FINALLY fixed their non-AWD:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkiv-bWbLIo

[redman]

That was posted previously regarding the new CRV.

I'm not aware if the Pilot utilizes the same system as the CRV. If so big fail for Honda at this price point

S-AWD should be standard at this price point vehicle.

[nlm]

I'm not aware if the Pilot utilizes the same system as the CRV. If so big fail for Honda at this price point

It certainly uses the same design as the CRV. At first I thought it was the CRV. Actually I think it is the CRV. They can now charge more for the same vehicle. That's genius.

[Blueprint]

I'm not aware if the Pilot utilizes the same system as the CRV. If so big fail for Honda at this price point

It certainly uses the same design as the CRV. At first I thought it was the CRV. Actually I think it is the CRV. They can now charge more for the same vehicle. That's genius.

It's a plus-sized CR-V, like the first Pilot generation was. The 2nd gen had a square design that stood out in the marketplace. Apart from the nose, if was even classy. The new one seems very class-generic, as far as styling is concerned.

[nlm]

I'm not aware if the Pilot utilizes the same system as the CRV. If so big fail for Honda at this price point

It certainly uses the same design as the CRV. At first I thought it was the CRV. Actually I think it is the CRV. They can now charge more for the same vehicle. That's genius.

It's a plus-sized CR-V, like the first Pilot generation was. The 2nd gen had a square design that stood out in the marketplace. Apart from the nose, if was even classy. The new one seems very class-generic, as far as styling is concerned.

I fear for the design of the next gen Ridgeline. I think I saw some concepts that looked nothing like a CRV with the rear carved out, which is encouraging, but the RL and Pilot used to be on the same platform, no?

[Fobroader]

The Pilot at least had a diff lock button which locks the front and rear wheels together. Having wheeled with some Ridgelines, I gotta say, the system worked quite well. Don't know how effective it is without locking the diff, but it will get you out of a tight spot.

[bridgecity]

The Pilot and CRV have never used the same AWD system.  The Pilot's was the VTM-4 system, superior to the CRVs.  VTM-4 would apply power to rear wheels under acceleration, even before wheel slip was detected.  And as Fobroader mentions, it had a lock button, which kept rear wheels engaged under 40km/h.