The styling cues of the new SUV should be reminiscent to the Accord sedan.
The new third-gen Honda Pilot marked a turning point in the 15-year-old SUV’s history. The CUV’s rugged exterior was transformed by a new platform, a modern design and lots of tech. Honda has already begun work on a new version of its three-row model, just two years after it was first introduced.
New spy photos reveal the updated Pilot testing. It hides its new face beneath all that camouflage. Although the images don’t provide much information about styling, we do know that at least the grille and possibly the taillights will be updated. Most of the new styling cues for Pilot are reportedly taken from the Accord. Expect few changes to the cabin. The Pilot comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The body is unchanged as you would expect from a mid-cycle refresh. But, we will see some improvements under the hood. For 2019, the Pilot will offer a hybrid or plug in option. The Odyssey minivan, which borrows its two-motor powertrain of the Accord Hybrid, will also be available. The standard version will still have the 3.5-liter V6 that is on the current model.
The current Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cilinder Management generates 280 horsepower (208 Kilowatts) as well as 262 pound-feet (355 Newton meters) of torque. The majority of trims are paired with a six-speed manual, but Elite and Touring models have a nine-speed transmission.
The 2019 model year will see the new Pilot make its debut. Rumours suggest that the SUV may be joined by a smaller Sub-Pilot, possibly reviving Passport’s name. However, that remains to be confirmed.