It was almost a year ago when we wrote a piece about the all-new Honda Pilot's appearance at the Chicago Auto Show. With its stylish good looks and tech-packed interior, it left us wondering whether this Japanese midsize SUV had what it takes to beat the likes of the Ford Explorer here in our market. Well, we might not have to wonder much longer because the new Pilot is about to make its Philippine debut.
Honda Cars Philippines has announced that it will be launching the all-new Pilot sometime this month, hoping to grab a slice of the country's premium SUV market. The Pilot will be powered by a mighty 3.5-liter SOHC gasoline engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and will feature the Japanese carmaker's intelligent all-wheel drive system, which--when paired with the vehicle's intelligent traction management--allows for a very versatile experience behind the wheel under any driving condition.
Outside, the Pilot's sleek lines and muscular proportions go hand-in-hand to convey a more premium overall look than the previous-generation model. That upscale style makes its way into the cabin as well, courtesy of the ambient lighting, soft-touch materials and Honda's Display Audio System. No news yet on what other tech goodies will make it to the Philippine-spec model.
Safety-wise, the new Pilot still packs everything that made it a 2015 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety top pick. The SUV is installed with Honda Sensing advanced driver assist technology, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision-mitigation braking system, and road departure mitigation--all thanks to the Pilot's monocular camera and radar system.
Honda dealerships are already accepting reservations for the all-new Pilot. Unfortunately, we have yet to receive any details regarding the pricing of this SUV, though we'll be sure to release them as soon as they come out.
