Overview

The 2011 Honda Pilot mid-size crossover SUV offers practical SUV capabilities with the driving sophistication and refinement that people expect from a Honda. Roomy eight-passenger seating, a relaxed ride and sophisticated fuel-saving technology help make the Pilot one of the most accommodating vehicles for children, work, everyday jobs and for longer trips with family and friends. The availability of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System expands to the Pilot EX-L model for 2011. It was a feature previously exclusive to the top-level Pilot Touring model.

Power and performance

A 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine rated at 250 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque provides performance and enhanced efficiency with Variable Cylinder Management, a technology that can deactivate up to three of the engines six cylinders to save fuel when cruising or lightly accelerating. A 5-speed automatic transmission is standard. The optional Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel-Drive (VTM-4) enhances traction in rain, snow and slippery terrain. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/23/19 miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22/18 miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models*. All models are equipped with a standard towing receiver and a maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds on 4WD models and 3,500 pounds on 2WD models.

Body and styling

The Pilot is available in four model choices (LX, EX, EX-L and Touring); each offered in either a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. Standard comfort and convenience features on the Pilot LX include a front and rear air conditioning system with air-filtration system, 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, tilt and telescope steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver's and passenger's window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD stereo system with 7-speakers including subwoofer and Radio Data System (RDS), trip computer, digital compass, auto on/off headlights, heat-rejecting tinted glass, integrated class III towing receiver, and more. The Pilot EX features a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power driver?s seat with 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, security system, XM Radio5, body colored side mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, exterior temperature indicator, HomeLink Remote System, and more. The Pilot EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger's seat, one-touch power moonroof, acoustic windshield glass, automatic-dimming rearview mirror with rearview camera display (EX-L-exclusive), and the availability of the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with 9-inch screen (which also upgrades to the Premium Audio System with 10 speakers including subwoofer and adds a 115-volt power outlet), and more. The top-of-the-line Pilot Touring adds the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with rearview camera, Premium Audio System, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, USB Audio Interface, the availability of the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System, Multi-Information display, corner and backup sensors, exclusive alloy wheels, power tailgate, side-mirror integrated turn indicators, and more.

Safety Features

Electronic Stability Control, three-row side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); active front seat head restraints; LATCH; tire pressure monitoring system and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist are standard.