By Sean Jackson
AxleGeeks

(December 1, 2015) The new Honda Pilot is a good departure from its boxy predecessors. Its aerodynamic design gives it a more modern appearance while enhancements, such as the second-row one-touch, give you easier access to the third row. Of course, Honda also equipped the Pilot with many luxury features such as heated front seats and an excellent array of proactive safety features to give you peace of mind.

AxleGeeks examined all the Pilot LX’s offerings to give you a complete look at how this SUV compares to its competition.



Traditionally, midsize SUVs tend to be more expensive, but the 2016 Honda Pilot LX is surprisingly affordable. With an MSRP of $29,995, it is $3,610 cheaper than the average cost of other models in its class. Factor in Honda’s reputation for quality models, and you have a smart investment to consider.

The Pilot earns a combined 23 miles per gallon — 19 city mpg and 27 highway mpg. This is a higher than that of the Dodge Journey SE and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.  This biggest cost benefit you receive with the Pilot comes with highway fuel efficiency. On a full tank, the Pilot’s highway range is 527 miles, which is 20 miles more on average than other models in its class.



The Pilot LX comes equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5L V-6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 ft-lbs of torque. This is average for its class. However, considering the edge the Pilot has in efficiency compared to other models, it means you’ll receive a good amount of power and won’t have to sacrifice in fuel costs to do so.

The Pilot has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Similar to horsepower and torque output, its towing capacity is average for its class.



The 2016 Honda Pilot has a weight-to-power ratio of 14.5 pounds per horsepower. This means it pulls two fewer pounds per horsepower — compared to the average ratio of 16.5 pounds per horsepower for its class. The Pilot has a curb weight of 4,054 pounds, making it lighter than other SUVs such as the Ford Explorer and the Toyota 4Runner SR5.

The Honda Pilot touts a fluid interior, perfect for commanding a variety of functions with ease. The interior is also comfortable, as it offers 40.1 inches of front-row headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom, both of which are close to average for its class.



The second row is similar to the first in space, as it has 40.2 inches of headroom — 2.3 percent advantage over the class average. Second-row legroom isn’t as generous. At 38.4 inches it is slightly less than the average offering. The third row comes with ample space for passengers. It has slightly more headroom, at 38.9 inches, than its competition. Its legroom of 31.9 inches is standard.

The Pilot is versatile in that you can fold all seats down to open up 109.2 cubic feet of cargo room, giving it a 50 percent advantage over the competition. You will need this extra room, as the trunk space is less than stellar. With 18.5 cubic feet of trunk space available, it is 42 percent deficient compared to the average trunk space others in its class provide.



Overview — The 2016 Pilot has a fresh design and an affordable price tag, making it an alluring buy. It’s efficient, versatile and has ample room to accommodate your varied storage needs. The Pilot performs right in line with other models in its class in horsepower, torque and towing capacity. Outside from its small trunk space, the Pilot touts many beneficial features that could save you money while also handling your many demands.

AlexGeeks