Honda Pilot

Honda made major styling changes for the third generation, replacing sharp creases with gentle curves that made the Pilot look like a pumped-up Honda CR-V. Wheelbase and overall length increased, and two captain’s chairs became available in place of a middle-row bench seat. The dashboard gained an available 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system. New features included a V-6 engine with direct injection, six- and nine-speed automatic transmissions, stop-start engine technology, and safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.

Though its styling was new, the upright, boxy shape of the 2009 model was reminiscent of the first-generation Pilot. Under the hood was a new V-6 engine that could shut down two or three cylinders when cruising, to save gas. Seating for eight was again standard, but the interior was roomier and the shift lever moved from the steering column to the center dashboard control panel.  New features included a flip-up rear window and an available power liftgate. Honda made few changes over the next six years; a standard backup camera for 2013 was among the more significant.

Honda described the new 2003 Pilot as the “ultimate family adventure vehicle” and equipped it with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, standard four-wheel drive and seating for eight (two front bucket seats and three-person middle and rear bench seats). The Pilot had classic, squared-off SUV styling with 8 inches of ground clearance. Folding the middle and rear seats opened up 90 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Pilot could tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped. Among the changes Honda made to the first-generation Pilot were standard three-row side curtain airbags and newly available front-wheel-drive versions for 2006, and standard stability control for 2007.