Honda has been making some of the best small SUVs for a while now. The Odyssey and the HR-V are excellent examples of what Honda excels at: creating compact luxury cars that are as comfortable as they are fun to drive. With the introduction of the 2018 Honda Pilot, it looks like the automaker is ready to expand its line-up once again. The 2018 Pilot is a bit larger than its predecessor and that’s mostly because it receives an all-new platform. A stiffer chassis, all-wheel drive and more space in the cabin are just a few things that have improved with the new platform.
The all-new body design uses clean edges and flowing surfaces to give the car a modern appearance. It’s also slightly lower than before which contributes to making it look even sportier. In terms of practicality, you will get more space thanks to increased hip room and leg room in both rows. The second-row seats can be folded down which makes it easier for adults to get inside if necessary. Other improvements include better visibility from outside, more standard safety features and a slightly better driving experience thanks to updated driving dynamics software and revised electronics package. In this review we will take you through all those improvements so you can make an informed decision about buying one when they go on sale later this year.
New Platform
One of the biggest changes is the new platform. Honda has made it stiffer, stronger, and lighter to make the 2018 Pilot more nimble and sportier. The body panels have also been redesigned to increase cockpit space and front-to-rear visibility.
Stiffer Chassis
One of the biggest improvements with the 2018 Honda Pilot is its chassis. The all-new body design is slightly lower to make it more sporty and it also has a stiffer chassis which gives it better driving dynamics. When you’re navigating through a turn, for example, the new chassis provides a more smooth ride which makes the Pilot feel more stable. On top of that, improved safety features such as smart cruise control, emergency braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control are included in this updated driving dynamics package.
All-Wheel Drive
and Better Visibility
Honda’s all-wheel drive system allows the car to utilize torque sent to the outside wheels, which helps during corners and in slippery conditions. In terms of visibility, the 2018 Honda Pilot has a slightly better view of what’s outside thanks to new headlights and taillights. Honda has also added automatic high beam control on all models and designed the A-pillars to be wider on all trim levels. This is good news for anyone who drives at night or in bad weather because it makes it easier to see what’s going on ahead of you without having to use signals constantly.
More Standard Safety Features
One of the biggest improvements for the 2018 Honda Pilot is the amount of standard safety features. The 2018 Pilot sports an innovative new active sensing system which can help detect pedestrians and vehicles in front of you. It also includes a backup camera with a wide-angle view as well as lane departure warning and forward collision warning. This impressive feature set is only going to get better over time, too. Honda has announced that they will be introducing a new technology called Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) which will use ultrasonic sensors to alert you if there’s an imminent collision.
Slightly Better Driving Experience
One of the biggest improvements made with the 2018 Pilot is an updated driving dynamics software. This software was designed to make the car more dynamic and nimble while maintaining stability. The changes are more noticeable in sporty modes like Sport, Normal and Snow and less so in normal drive modes like ECO, Comfort and Winter. In terms of performance and handling, it’s hard to argue with Honda’s claim that they’ve improved on their new platform architecture.
The steering has been improved which makes it sharper and easier to maneuver while also giving it a bit more feel. The throttle has also been tweaked which helps the Pilot move along better than before. One thing that you might have noticed though is that there seems to be a bit less torque at low revs which can be attributed to a revised engine mapping system. In general, these changes make for an improved driving experience even if they don’t result in any direct performance improvement or trim level differences.
Updated Electronics Package
The Honda Pilot has received an all-new electronics package. The new 9-inch infotainment system is one of the standout features of the 2018 Honda Pilot. It offers a crisp and clean interface, improved navigation and navigation assistance features, a more efficient climate control system and better audio integration with your phone. Another significant improvement is the updated driving dynamics software which makes this car more responsive to your inputs and less prone to understeer when turning.
To go along with these improvements, there are also new safety features such as blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist. These safety features make this an excellent family vehicle for those that want a practical SUV that’s also safe on the road.
Final Word
The 2018 Honda Pilot is one of the best SUVs on the market for a lot of people. If you are looking for an SUV with lots of features and a sleek new design, then look no further. The 2018 Honda Pilot will be out later this year so make sure to check back soon to see when it arrives in your area!
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