2016 Honda Pilot SUV [Video]

Fuel efficiency is up by 2 mpg in all driving cycles. 

Here is an in-depth look into the 2016 Honda Pilot, which entered production at Honda Mfg. Alabama, Inc. in Lincoln, Alabama, last week.

[Head to YouTube if you're unable to watch the video above.]

The 8-seater SUV will come in 5 variants - LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite. All variants are powered by a newly-developed 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine with direct injection technology and Variable Cylinder Management. A 6-speed AT is seen on the LX, EX and EX-L which replaces the 5AT of the previous Pilot, while the Touring and Elite variants get a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Honda's LaneWatch is a standard feature as are an engine starter button and a multi-angle rear-view camera. Buyers will have to fork out more for Smart Entry, a Blu-ray DVD rear entertainment system, Idle Stop, an 8-inch touchscreen system with Android, remote engine start and LED headlights with automatic high beam which are available only on higher variants.

Coming back to the 3.5-liter engine, it produces 280 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 355 Nm of torque at 4,700 rpm, and is capable of sending power to either the front wheels, or all wheels of the SUV. Thanks to a 136 kg (300 lbs) weight loss program, the new Pilot is claimed to return an additional 2 mpg (0.85 km/l) in city, highway and combined driving cycles. Depending on the variant and the driving cycle, the 2016 Pilot can do figures between 18-27 mpg (7.65 km/l to 11.48 km/l).

Also read: India-spec Honda Jazz CVT spied at a dealership

The new Pilot also comes with better towing capability, up from 2,000/4,500 lbs (907/2,041 kg) to 3,500/5,000 lbs (1587/2267 kg) for 2WD/4WD models. Prices range from USD 29,995 for the Pilot LX 2WD to 46,420 (INR 19.12-29.59 lakhs) for the Pilot AWD with rear entertainment package.

There are no plans to launch the Pilot in the Indian market for now.