The 2019 Honda Pilot features a revamped exterior and fresh technology, including the inclusion of the Honda Sensing driver assists package as standard equipment, plus a more refined drivetrain that includes heavy improvement to the nine-speed automatic transmission that should improve reliability and smoothness of shifts.

Continue reading for the full story.

What Is It?

Outside, the updated Pilot gets new styling in front and in back, which is intended to give it a more aggressive demeanor. The fascia gets LED low-beam headlights, optional full LED headlights, and optional LED fog lights, plus a skidplate styling element. Meanwhile, the rear comes with reshaped taillights. New chrome trim and revamped bumpers round it out. The corners get 18-inch wheels as standard, while 20-inch wheels make the options list.

What About The Oily Bits?

Under the hood, you’ll find an updated powertrain, with the main party piece consisting of a 3.5-liter V-6 making 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. This time around, the ‘six gets a revamped Idle Stop system offering quicker engine restarting and smoother operation.

Motivation is sent to the front axle as standard, while models equipped with the optional AWD get a Variable Torque Management system and torque vectoring system called i-VTM4, which uses an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated rear differential to accurately route torque to the wheel that can best put it to use.

Lower trim levels come with a six-speed automatic transmission, while a nine-speed automatic transmission is offered in higher trim levels. The nine-speed also now comes with updated tuning that offers “enhanced drivability and smoother shifts.”

What’s Going On In The Cabin?

One of the Pilot’s greatest claims to fame is its interior layout. Up to eight passengers will find a spot to sit, with two up front, and three passengers on the both the second and third rows.

Further practicality features include an optional hands-free power tailgate, while access to the third row is provided by an optional One-Touch Walk-In feature. There’s also the option for three-way heated seats and a set of captain’s chairs for the second row.

What’s The Tech?

Given most buyers will use the Pilot to move their family to and fro, safety was a major focus with the 2019 update. As such, the Honda Sensing suite now comes as standard on all trim levels, and includes features such as a Collision Mitigating Braking System with Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a blind spot monitor, plus a Rear Cross Traffic Monitor.

Further tech upgrades in the cabin include a new Display Audio system, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi web connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and wireless phone charging.

Driver’s will enjoy the 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster, which comes with a Multi-Information Display that you can customize to display a variety of pertinent info. Standard spec on the EX trim is an 8.0-inch touchscreen in the dash with smartphone-esque controls (pinch, swipe, etc.).

There’s also something called CabinControl, which enables passengers to control various feature from their phone, such as the audio system, the optional Rear Entertainment System, and the rear climate control. CabinControl also enables passengers to send directions directly to the navigation system. Finally, the Social Playlist lets everyone on board share their music to the audio system.

How Much?

The 2019 Honda Pilot starts at $32,440 (which includes the $995 destination charge) for the base model LX with FWD. Go for the range-topping Pilot Elite with AWD and a nine-speed automatic transmission, and expect to dole out $49,015.

All told, the 2019 Pilot comes with a $550 price increase over the outgoing model.

Check out a full breakdown on pricing in the table below.

2019 Honda Pilot Prices

Model / Trim / Drivetrain

Transmission

MSRP

MSRP Including $995 Destination Charge

EPA Mileage Rating (City/Hwy/Combined)

Pilot LX (2WD)

6AT

$31,450

$32,445

19 / 27 / 22

Pilot LX (AWD)

6AT

$33,350

$34,345

18 / 26 / 21

Pilot EX (2WD)

6AT

$34,330

$35,325

19 / 27 / 22

Pilot EX (AWD)

6AT

$36,230

$37,225

18 / 26 / 21

Pilot EX-L (2WD)

6AT

$37,760

$38,755

19 / 27 / 22

Pilot EX-L (AWD)

6AT

$39,660

$40,655

18 / 26 / 21

Pilot EX-L w/ Navi & Rear Entertainment System (2WD)

6AT

$39,760

$40,755

19 / 27 / 22

Pilot EX-L w/ Navi & Rear Entertainment System (AWD)

6AT

$41,660

$42,655

18 / 26 / 21

Pilot Touring (AWD)

9AT

$44,420

$45,415

19 / 26 / 22

Pilot Touring (2WD)

9AT

$42,520

$43,515

20 / 27 / 23

Pilot Touring w/ Rear Captain's Chairs (2WD)

9AT

$42,820

$43,815

20 / 27 / 23

Pilot Touring w/ Rear Captain's Chairs (AWD)

9AT

$44,720

$45,715

19 / 26 / 22

Pilot Elite (AWD)

9AT

$48,020

$49,015

19 / 26 / 22


Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2016-2019 Honda Pilot.

Read more Honda news.