The refreshed 2019 Honda Pilot has been recognized by Parents magazine as among the “10 Best Family Cars of 2019.” The Honda Pilot has also received extensive updates for 2019, including revised front and rear styling, standard Honda Sensing®, an updated Display Audio system, and Honda’s CabinTalk™ in-vehicle public address system. The Pilot features room for up to five car seats or boosters as tested by Parents magazine.
Pilot also earns a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration and a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), including a ‘SUPERIOR’ rating for front crash prevention when equipped with Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies, now standard on all 2019 Passports.
Combined, the upgrades to Pilot reinforce its capabilities while emphasizing the state-of-the-art technology and family-friendly character that has made it popular among midsize 3-row SUVs. Pilot also remains one of the few models in its segment to offer 8 passenger seating (7-seats with the optional second-row Captain’s Chairs), with three-person capacity in both the second and third rows, and with third row access made simple and easy by the available One-Touch Walk-In feature.
For 2019, Honda will introduce a new, Canadian-exclusive Black Edition trim featuring gloss black accents, black wheels, darkened headlights and taillights, red ambient lighting and red-accent stitched leather seats on the interior and Black Edition emblems on the exterior.
All 2019 Pilot’s features a bold front and rear styling to complement the Pilot’s robust all-weather driving capabilities, supported by Honda’s standard intelligent Variable Torque Management system (i-VTM4) with true torque-vectoring. Standard i-VTM4 uses an electronically-controlled, hydraulically-actuated rear differential to apportion engine torque between the front and rear axles, and dynamically distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels. The benefits are superior all-weather handling, and neutral, accurate steering under power.
In addition, the 2019 Pilot’s 9-speed automatic transmission, available in the Touring 7 passenger, Touring 8 Passenger and Black Edition trims, gets new tuning for enhanced drivability and smoother shifts, while Pilot’s Idle Stop system now provides quicker restarts and more seamless operation.
A hands-free power tailgate is available for the first time on Touring and Black Edition trims. With the remote key fob in their pocket or handbag, the driver simply kicks their foot under a designated area of the rear bumper. The tailgate then opens without the owner needing to use their hands–very useful for occasions when their hands are full.
In addition to its numerous technology upgrades (described below), updates to Pilot’s interior include new trim around the vents, standard 3-way heated front seats, and wider fold-down armrests for the driver and front passenger.
For 2019, Pilot receives a number of refinements to the 9-speed automatic transmission (9AT), available on the Touring and Black Edition models. When in Drive and under light-to-moderate throttle, the 9AT will now start in second gear for smoother launch and lower speed acceleration. The transmission also defaults to second-gear launches when the Intelligent Traction Management (ITM) switch is in Snow mode. At full throttle, with steep grades, in S mode, or with the ITM in Sand or Mud, the 9AT will start in first gear.
Pilot also has an upgraded Idle Stop system. Fully integrated with the new second-gear launch mode, it features new programming and a new brake pressure trigger for quicker restarts when accelerating immediately after engine stop, making the system less noticeable in heavy traffic and similar driving situations. The air conditioning has been reconfigured as well to reduce engine restarts. Additionally, when in idle stop, the engine remains off after shifting to Park for a more intuitive driving experience.
U.S. Models shown in video
We’d love to tell you all about the many other updates for 2019 such as the interactive, ergonomic new instrument, HondaLink®, CabinControl™ and CabinTalk™, the 4G LTE Wi-Fi and Rear Entertainment System, wireless smartphone charging, and much more, but we’ve run out of time. You’ll just have to see them all for yourself.
Click the TEST DRIVE button below to schedule a complete tour and road test of the 2019 Honda Pilot.
