Performance
Powerful Performance
A single engine is available on the 2020 Honda Pilot, which might be an issue, except that it is such a fine engine that you really do not need anything else. It is a 3.5L 24-Valve V6 engine that delivers up to 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission standard on the lowest trim, though some higher trims have a 9-speed automatic with shift-by-wire and steering-wheel paddle shifters instead.
Intelligent variable torque management All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is available on most models of the Pilot, though it comes standard on the Elite trim level. Some trims include intelligent traction management for snow, with sand and mud also available if you choose AWD. Since the Elite includes AWD standard, it has full intelligent traction management to go with it, giving you the best performance and driving experience possible even in rough terrain.
Impressive Efficiency
You also get excellent fuel economy with the Pilot, even though it is a midsize SUV. If you choose a model with 2WD, the fuel economy will be about 20 MPG in the city, 27 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG combined.2 Models equipped with AWD get an estimated 19 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and 22 MPG combined.2 So no matter which configuration you choose, you will be able to stay on the road for a long time between stops. This efficiency only further enhances the performance of this excellent vehicle.
Interior
Space Inside the Pilot
When you choose a midsize SUV, you want to make sure it has plenty of room inside for your passengers and everything you need to take with you. Fortunately, the 2020 Honda Pilot is well designed with this in mind. Depending on the trim level you choose, you get seating for either seven or eight total people, so keep that in mind when making your decision.
The first few trims of the Pilot have seating for up to eight people, with a pair of seats in the front, and three-person bench seating in the second and third rows. The Elite trim, on the other hand, gives you seating for seven people, with a pair of second-row seats. If you choose the Touring trim, then you can get it with either seven-person or eight-person seating, depending on how you want the second row configured.
The Honda Pilot is also an excellent choice for loading up all the cargo and supplies you need to take with you. You get about 16 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the third row of seats, along with about 46 cu.ft. of space behind the second row. Fortunately, this is not impacted by whether you choose seating for seven or eight people total, so you can get the seating you want and still have plenty of room for everything you need. The Pilot has about 84 cu.ft. of total cargo space behind the front-row seats, making it great for camping trips or loading up for a day of tailgating.
Comfort and Technology
Since most of your time with your vehicle is going to be spent inside it, along with the right amount of space, you always want to make sure you pick a model that has great comfort, luxury, and technology features. The 2020 Honda Pilot has a wide range of options depending on which trim level you look at, but the top trim, the Elite, has more to offer than even imaginable.
The Pilot Elite features great convenience features like push-button start, cruise control, and illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls, but every Pilot model has these. The Elite goes further, however, with tri-zone automatic climate control, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. You also get courtesy door lights, blue ambient interior lighting, and perforated, heated leather-trimmed front seats.
The technology inside the 2020 Honda Pilot is also fantastic, with the Elite trim featuring numerous USB ports and power outlets. The Elite also has an 8-inch Infotainment system with voice-recognition Navigation and HD Radio. You get a stunning 10-speaker sound system in the Pilot Elite, with a subwoofer, as well as a wireless phone charger, and an advanced rear entertainment system with a 10-inch high-resolution screen and Blu-ray player. Whether you are simply driving across town or heading out on a long road trip, the Pilot will keep you and all of your passengers comfortable and entertained.
Safety
While great performance, technology, and a spacious interior are undoubtedly important when looking at a car or SUV, nothing is more important than the safety features it has. No matter how comfortable you might be on the road or how much you can load into your vehicle, it does not matter if your SUV does not have great features to help keep you safe. Fortunately, every model of the 2020 Honda Pilot comes with the Honda Sensing Suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies standard, to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible.
Honda Sensing: Safety and Driver Assistance
The Honda Sensing Suite includes fantastic safety features such as a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation system, and adaptive cruise control. Not only does this cruise control help make long road trips easier on you as a driver, but the other features can actually help you avoid a crash or keep you from veering off the road. You also get a lane-keeping assist system, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning all standard – no matter which model you choose.
In addition to this, every Pilot features auto high-beam headlights, vehicle stability assist with traction control, and brake assist. You also get numerous airbags, LED daytime running lights, and a multi-angle rearview camera. The only feature not standard on every model is a blind spot information system with cross-traffic monitor. Although the standard trim of the Honda Pilot does not come with this safety feature, every other trim does, and nothing else is left off as standard. This is a tremendous amount of safety features on every model, something that is rarely seen and generally unsurpassed within the auto industry.
