Pilot model is Honda’s best-selling SUV at the moment. This three-row crossover SUV delivers it all. Everything from the exceptional design to the modern interior and great performance. Now, even the hybrid model is available. The 2021 Honda Pilot will be even better. Japanese manufacturer plans further upgrades for 2021.
A real family favorite Pilot offers room for eight persons. The safety rating is great and this model is actually a very capable hauler. Honda will deliver better ride quality and further design changes. Speaking of upgrades, Honda will slightly change the transmission and it will additionally improve the Safety Sense system.
2021 Honda Pilot Redesign
After so many versions with boxy appearance, Pilot is slowly becoming a modern-looking crossover SUV. The 2021 Honda Pilot now looks sportier and more modern. Styling is almost identical to the CR-V model. New Pilot will look sleeker and it will add more muscles. The premium feel is present with this one. Design is better, especially up front. The front fascia now hosts unique headlights and grille design. Grille sports three horizontal slats and it wears more chrome materials.
The shape of turn signals, LED headlights and daytime running lights is borrowed from the CR-V crossover. The rear design now looks cleaner than before. Tailgate is connected to the sloping roof and this piece of styling looks really gorgeous. You can count on more premium features in 2021. That includes a panoramic sunroof and 20-inch wheels. However, these features are optional on the base Pilot model.
Interior Styling
The same story continues from the inside. The 2021 Honda Pilot will borrow some cues from the CR-V model. New Pilot will be more inviting and the interior will look more modern than before. The dashboard looks cleaner now and more premium. The instrument cluster is all-digital now. All of the features are more user-friendly now, especially displays and touchscreens. Interior also comes with a much simpler layout of buttons and controls. Speaking of layout, the eight-seat configuration will remain.
The shape of the A/C vents is brand-new. Steering wheel hosts more buttons than before. The 2021 Pilot will introduce more upscale materials. Still, if you want leather seats, they are optional on the base model. Honda’s Safety Sense will get an upgrade too. This safety suite will offer plenty of driver-assistance features. That includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist and collision mitigation braking.
2021 Honda Pilot Engine
While Japanese automaker did introduce numerous exterior and interior updates, performance will remain. That means the 2021 Honda Pilot will ride on the same 3.5-liter V6. This engine delivers 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. You can choose between the standard FWD and optional AWD systems.
The 2021 Honda Pilot offers a 6-speed automatic gearbox as standard. On the other hand, the 9-speed automatic transmission will be optional. Honda will slightly change the optional gearbox. The goal is to deliver quicker and smoother shifting. Fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Honda Pilot Hybrid
We already said it, Pilot SUV delivers it all. The only thing that this model lacked was the hybrid drivetrain. The 2021 Honda Pilot SUV will deploy an electric motor in a combination with the 3.5-liter V6. AC Synchronous Permanent-Magnet Electric Motor adds additional 20 horsepower and 40 lb-ft of twist. That means the 2021 Pilot Hybrid will deliver over 300 HP and 300 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, Honda promised astonishing mileage. However, we are still waiting for official details.
Price and Release Date
The all-new 2021 Honda Pilot will cost higher than the current model. It is a logical move from the Japanese manufacturer. The current model starts at $33,000 and 2021 Pilot will cost around $35,000.
We strongly recommend optional features such as Honda Sensing system and AWD setup. The range-topping Elite trim will cost over $50,000. This three-row SUV will hit the dealerships later in 2019.