2016 Honda Pilot
Honda just announced the 2015 Special Edition Pilot. As most Honda watchers know when Honda announces the temporary trim level of 'Special Edition' to any of their models, it really means it's only 6-12 months before Honda will introduce a complete make-over for that particular model, in this case the 2016 Honda Pilot. Check out the Special Edition 2015 Honda Pilot: (http:// "http://blog.caranddriver.com/honda-introduces-special-edition-pilot-relax-its-just-a-new-trim-level/ ").
It's only a few months now before Honda will release news of the complete make-over of the 2016 Pilot, perhaps the 2014 LA Auto Show in November, or the 2015 Detroit AS in January to see if
the new Pilot will be competitive with the 2014 Highlander and others in this segment. The next iteration of the Honda Pilot is long overdue.
Comments
2016 Pilot breaks cover (sort of) with Camo
Check it out: (http:// "http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2016-honda-pilot-spy-photos-news")
"The redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot SUV will debut shortly after the all-new 2016 Honda HR-V subcompact SUV this year, Honda's top U.S. executive said at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.
John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's U.S. Automobiles division, announced that the HR-V will debut this spring.
"Shortly after, we'll introduce an all-new Pilot SUV that will redefine what is possible with an eight-passenger midsize SUV," Mendel said."
Redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot Due Later This Year
Check it out: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/chicago/2015/1501-updated-2016-acura-rdx-coming-to-chicago-auto-show/
Check it out: http://www.carscoops.com/2015/02/2016-honda-pilot-these-are-first.html
Check it out: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/02/12/2016-honda-pilot-chicago-2015/
Check it out: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/chicago/2015/1502-the-8-coolest-features-on-the-2016-honda-pilot/
Does this mean the next gen 2016 Pilot will get the factory installed CarPlay on the 2016 or 2017 Pilot? Anyone with info on this subject from Honda sales staff?
Check it out: http://www.leftlanenews.com/apple-carplay-to-arrive-in-40-models-this-year.html
Check it out: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/10/2016-honda-pilot-260-horsepower-intelligent-traction-management-official/
But why in the hell does one have to get the top of the line pricey elite trim package to get the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert/Monitor (RCTM)? That should be available on even the basic trim level. Honda is putting corporate profit ahead of driver and passenger safety, and telling the general public 'you have to spend big bucks before we consider your family's safety' properly.
I use to be a Pilot owner, but will not consider getting another Pilot until they put BSM and RCTM on even the basic trim level.
Honda, you are missing the big picture, BIG TIME !!!
Trims will be...
LX
EX
EX-L (comes standard with Nav now)
Touring
Elite
My local sales manager (who happens to also live in my development) informed me the pricing will be starting around $32k for the LX and top out around $48k for the Elite. They did away with the opening rear glass window (wish they would do a drop window like the 4Runner) but added more room behind the 3rd row. 2nd row captain chairs will now be standard on the Touring / Elite and anything above the EX-L will have Leather Standard.
Odie
DD Trany control knob pic #1: http://www.dodge.com/en/durango/gallery/#filter=interior&asset=11
DD Trany control knob pic #2: http://www.dodge.com/en/durango/gallery/#filter=interior&asset=10
DD Trany control knob pic #3: http://www.dodge.com/en/durango/gallery/#filter=interior&asset=12
BTW, as some of you already know, 2015 will be the last year for the DD, as it will be unfortunately dropped from the Dodge lineup, but will reappear in a totally redesigned format as a 2017/2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3-Row SUV, but will be rebadged as the reborn upscale Jeep Grand Wagoneer (JGW), and will be either released in 2018 or 2019. The 2018 JGW will fulfill CEO Sergio Marchionne’s wish to have a true Range Rover competitor in the FCA portfolio (Link: http://blog.caranddriver.com/jeep-ceo-mike-manley-confirms-next-gen-wrangler-to-stay-body-on-frame-grand-wagoneer-on-track-for-2018/). Apparently whenever Marchionne sees a Range Rover on the road, he gets quite irritated: "When I see a Range Rover on the street, my blood boils, because we should be able to do a thing like that, and we will." ---> 2018 JGW! Link: http://www.leftlanenews.com/marchionne-met-with-tesla-apple-says-range-rover-makes-his-blood-boil-88451.html .
The other major interior design flaw/omission (IMHO) is eliminating the wide center armrest between the driver and front passenger, and instead using the thin flip down arm rests (shown on the 2016 Pilot prototype at the 2015 NYIAS) that are quite uncomfortable and non-supportive on trips greater than a mile or two.
2015 Pilot center armrest, pic : http://2016hondapilot.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2015-Honda-Pilot-interior.jpeg
2016 Pilot Prototype center armrest(s), pic #1 : http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/suvs/1502_2016_honda_pilot_first_look/91047143/2016-honda-pilot-front-interior-view.jpg
2016 Pilot Prototype center arm rest(s), pic #2: http://image.trucktrend.com/f/features/news/2015/1502_2016_honda_pilot_first_look/90119662/2016-honda-pilot-interior-view-02.jpg
The Toyota Highlander and Sequoia use to use the thin flip down center arm rests, but due to so many customer complaints they went to the large center arm rest several years ago.
Likewise the Acura MDX and the RDX have a large/wide center arm rest that is comfortable. Who on the Pilot interior design team pushed for the flimsy, uncomfortable arm rests?! Time for a mulligan/do over! It may seem like a small thing to some, but it's NOT. It's not rocket science to design a large and accessible center storage bin with assorted USB and accessory ports/jacks with an integrated, large,ergonomic and comfortable center arm rest; just look at the current MDX or RDX for heavens sake!
2016 MDX center arm rest pic: http://www.2015carsreview2016.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2016-Acura-MDX-interior.jpg
2016 RDX center arm rest pic: http://www.carxmotor.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2016-Acura-RDX-Chicago-Auto-Show-2015-14.jpg
For me, a former Pilot owner and a current Highlander owner, it would be a deal breaker! I like some aspects of the new Pilot design, but I must have a wide and comfortable center arm rest for me to have a chance of switching back to Pilot, when I trade my current 2010 Highlander in for either a new 2017/2018 Highlander or new Pilot in a couple years. And I'll bet I'm not the only one with this concern. I hope you're listening Honda!
I also need to make sure I have proper ground clearance of the trailer hitch receiver (plus being a Class-III) due to one of my new toys (see attached pictures).
Odie
Odie
Nice BBQ rig! Bet you have some great BBQ recipes. Care to share any?
https://www.facebook.com/Odie442#!/Odie442/notes
Odie
I'm also not happy that the Blue that was shown at the unveiling is NOT going to be a factory available color. Of course I was getting my hopes up for that Sunset Orange that is on the new HR-V and the Civic Si, but again, not available.
Odie
I've added what they have as the Available colors.
I may not know what my next vehicle will be after my lease is up in 18 months, but I'm vowing not to get a "non-color" color - white, black, grey or silver. Red, blue, green, orange - anything will be better.
For a time, our family had 3 silver cars - now two of them are shades of green.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
Overall, a vast improvement over the previous model, but MT's "Walk-off home run" is a bit of a stretch:
MotorTrend's take: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1505_2016_honda_pilot_first_drive/
Autoblog's take: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/05/20/2016-honda-pilot-first-drive-review-video/#image-22
LeftLane's impression: http://www.leftlanenews.com/first-drive-2016-honda-pilot-88541.html
Automobile's 'dream review': http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1505-2016-honda-pilot-review/
Vid #1;
Vid #2:
Vid #3:
As for the Colors.... I was really hoping for either the Blue they showed at the unveiling or that Sunset Orange that they have on the Fit and Civic. I know the 4Runner (which is the other vehicle I'm considering) has a great Orange color, but it is only available on their TRD Pro trim (starts at $45k).
Odie
Odie
'15 4Runner with 3rd row, nav, and towing ($37,250).
My short list is the following for my upgrade from "The Beast" ('06 Honda Pilot EX-OR)
2015 Honda Pilot
2016 Honda Pilot (waiting on trims / prices)
2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5 (must have 3rd Row option)
Odie
View all Models and Features and Pricing (Click on both PDF files for full Specs): http://automobiles.honda.com/2016-pilot/
A few things I don't like about the 2016 Pilot's feature content and packaging:
1) Lack of a wide, comfortable center armrest between the driver and front passenger instead of the narrow uncomfortable and non-supportive flip-down arm rests that showed up on the prototype, hopefully, only temporarily.
2) Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert should at least be available as an option on the EX and the EX-L trims.
3) The Rear Entertainment System (RES) should be an option on the Touring and Elite trim levels, not 'baked into the cake' at an extra cost of $1500-2,000, whether you like/want it or not. Honda made this same mistake on the 2014-2015 MDX, but due to lots of consumer/customer complaints made the rear entertainment system on the MDX upper trims an option on the 2016 MDX.
Check it out:
Check the link: http://automobiles.honda.com/pilot/
Wife, however, wanted something more "wagony" so we ended up with an Outback.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
Odie
Check them out: http://www.carscoops.com/2015/06/check-out-2016-honda-pilot-in-139-new.html
Print review link: http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/autos/the-daily-drivers-2016-honda-pilot-awd-elite/2243044
Video review link:
Crash test results link: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2016-honda-pilot-aces-the-small-overlap-iihs-crash-test-earns-top-safety-pick-video-99293.html
Odie
HP INFOTAINMENT Related Tutorials
HondaLink Infotainment Review (7:27):
HondaLink Smartphone App for Bluetooth pairing, etc (both iPhone and Android) (3:04):
Display Audio (3:02):
Setting up WiFi & WiFi HotSpot + Customizing home screen + Smartphone functions :
1.) (0:50) Setting up WiFi:
2.) (2:41) Customizing Home screen:
Sirius XM Short Cuts (2:49):
Setting up and using the Aha App (2:15):
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HP SAFETY Related Tutorials
Honda Sensing Package (3:21):
Active Safety System (5:38):
Collision Mitigation Braking System (4:18):
Intelligent Traction Management (2:16):
Mud Driving Mode Demo (1:00):
Remote Engine Start (1:51):
Idle Stop (1:27):
Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Tire Fill Assist (1:37):
Car Wash Mode (1:52):
Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers (1:32):
Enjoy!
@ushy66 Thanks for the extra vids. Most are based on the Touring or Elite. I got the EX-L and it actually still has a shift handle, so I'm guessing I don't have a "Car Wash Mode" LOL.
Odie
https://www.change.org/p/honda-motor-company-2016-honda-pilot-upgrade-to-android-auto-carplay
Odie
Odie