Honda Pilot Arrives with a New Attitude for 2019, Sporting Fresh Styling and New Technology

• New Canadian Exclusive Black Edition Trim

• Bold new styling, front and rear

• Powertrain refinements enhance drivability

• Extensive technology upgrades include standard Display Audio, available CabinTalk™in-car PA and CabinControl™ app and 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot  

The redesigned and refreshed 2019 Honda Pilot arrives in dealers on August 24, bringing with it a long list of upgrades. The numerous changes include a bold exterior styling, an available new hands-free power tailgate, substantial powertrain refinements, upgrades to connected-car technology, a standard new Display Audio touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration, and a volume knob. The 2019 Pilot LX carries a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP ¹) of $41,090 and tops out at $53,990 for the new Black Edition.

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 tail lights, 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 compliment 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.

Pricing & NRC an Fuel Economy Ratings

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN

The 2019 Honda Pilot's updated exterior reflects its capabilities without losing what makes Pilot a perennial favorite in the midsize SUV segment. The front sports a bold new front fascia with standard LED low-beam headlights, while the rear features new taillights, a new bumper, and available chrome accents.

The new front bumper incorporates larger fog light housings, fully integrated into the bumper, giving the 2019 Pilot a bold look. A redesigned grille features a centre interpretation of the Honda "flying wing" grille design, with its chrome band extending above the headlights. Further emphasizing the new "skid" garnish on the lower portion of the front bumper. Available fog lights are now LED, the turn signal is thinner, and Pilot Touring and Black Edition models benefit from multi-element full LED headlights, including high beams. Additionally, Pilot Touring and Black Edition models receive power folding mirrors with automatic dimming.

The rear receives new taillights with amber turn signals and LED backup lights.  An available chrome strip on the rocker extends along the side of the vehicle, wrapping around the rear bumper and highlighting the lower bumper's skid-type design. Wheels are also more ruggedly styled, with 18-inch designs on LX, EX and EX-L Navi, and a bold new 20-inch design on the Touring and Black Edition trims.

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.

POWERTRAIN

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.

Powertrain Specs

 New Instrument Cluster

The Pilot's new instrument cluster now uses a 7-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) with a wide range of information content. Not only does it display typical vehicle functions such as vehicle speed and RPM, the TFT includes a Driver Information Interface (DII) with driver-selectable customizable features, such as audio system information, a detailed trip computer, phone information, and turn-by-turn route guidance on Pilot models equipped with navigation. Drivers navigate the new TFT using a new steering wheel with enhanced controls, redesigned for more intuitive operation such as Bluetooth^® phone buttons that are more easily distinguished by touch.

HondaLink^®, CabinControl™ and CabinTalk™

The available next-generation HondaLink^® platform connects customers to online content both inside and outside the car for a variety of cloud-based services. Connected to the user's smartphone by the Bluetooth^® HandsFreeLink^® wireless interface, the HondaLink^® phone app provides convenient access for free services including roadside assistance, vehicle health report, service scheduling and access to the vehicle Owners Guide. Additional fee-based services such as automatic collision notification, , remote door lock, security alarm alert and personal concierge are also available.

CabinControl™, a standard feature, is a downloadable app for iPhone and Android phones. CabinControl™ allows passengers to use their smartphones to control a range of Pilot features, including the audio system, Rear Entertainment System (if equipped), and rear climate control system. Any connected phone can also look up an address or point of interest and then send it to the navigation system (if equipped), where the driver can accept or reject it.

Additionally, Social Playlist, operating like a virtual family jukebox, allows up to seven connected phones to share music on a playlist that appears on Pilot's Display Audio touchscreen, where the front-row occupants can view and control the list.

CabinTalk™ in-car PA is included on Pilot Touring and Black Edition trims with navigation and rear-seat entertainment. Using the HandsFreeLink^® microphone, it allows those in the front row to easily communicate to those in the second and third rows using the rear speakers, wireless headphones, or both. CabinTalk™ in-car PA is activated using the Display Audio touchscreen. When the CabinTalk™ in-car PA is in use, Blu-ray™ video appearing on the Rear Entertainment System is automatically paused and audio is muted (non-Blu-ray content can be muted only). Audio and video automatically resumes when it is closed.

4G LTE Wi-Fi and Rear Entertainment System

For the first time, Pilot offers an embedded Telematics Control Unit (TCU) on the Touring and Black Edition trims that can provide an LTE connection inside the vehicle. The system includes a 90-day/3GB (whichever comes first) free trial and once the trial period ends, customers will need to obtain a data plan to continue service. With a better antenna than in typical smartphones, the system often offers superior reception. The Wi-Fi network can support up to seven devices and enables "Smart TV"-style video streaming of select video content directly to the Rear Entertainment System (RES) via any W-Fi connection. Additionally, content can be streamed directly to the RES through a compatible Android device.  Additional accessories may be required.

The Rear Entertainment System includes a fun, kid friendly, puppet-themed "How Much Farther?" app. It functions as a "flight tracker" with a colorful on-screen animated marionette play that counts down time and distance to the destination that has been set into the navigation system. Multiple backgrounds with animation give the app a fun feel that's engaging for children.

Wireless Smartphone Charging

Available for the first time in Pilot is wireless smartphone charging, using the Qi and PMA charging standards, Large enough for even plus-size smartphones,

Model Trim Level Summary

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