2019 Honda Pilot review

1. Feature-filled model year

The Honda Pilot has seen some big changes over the past decade. In 2016, the Pilot was completely redesigned inside and out—with a new powertrain (with an available nine-speed automatic transmission) and an eight-inch touchscreen display. In 2019, the Pilot received a major update full of critical driver aids, including forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.

2. Full-body powertrain

The 2019 Honda Pilot doesn't just look like a tank, it's got the power to match. Standard under the hood is a 3.5L six-cylinder engine packing 280 hp. That's enough oomph to handle 262 lb-ft of torque and tow an estimated 5,000 lbs when properly equipped.

3. Spacious interior

The standard 2019 Honda Pilot is more than family-friendly, with three rows of seating for eight people. What's more, the Pilot doesn't compromise on comfort. Front seats offer 40.9 inches of legroom, middle seats 38.4 inches, and rear seats 31.9 inches—enough to comfortably fit adults in every row. If you want even more room and only need seating for seven, upgrade to the Touring or Elite trim to swap in captain's chairs in the middle.

4. Five great trims

To maximize comfort, the 2019 Honda Pilot offers five trim levels so you can choose what suits you and your crew. On the base LX trim, helpful driver aids include automatic cruise control and lane departure warning. The EX trim adds blind spot monitoring and front seat heating. Upgrade to the EX-L for power-adjustable passenger seats with memory capacity, along with a rear sunshade. Moving up to the Touring, you'll get rear seat heaters, front and rear parking sensors, a 10-speaker audio system, and more. Finally, the top-end Elite trim offers heated middle-row captain's seats, ventilated front seats, and all-wheel drive for any rough terrain you might encounter.

5. Entertainment for everyone

If you anticipate long trips and young kids on the horizon, the Honda Pilot has a secret weapon. Equipped standard on the 2019 model is a Blu-ray^™ video system, which can keep kids occupied while you weave switchbacks in the mountains. There's even a 115-volt household-style power outlet and wireless charging capabilities on the Elite trim to keep all those electronics juiced during the journey.