The Test: We were blown away after logging 27.9 miles per gallon in the . That’s an impressive number for any crossover, yet we averaged it navigating through 3,100 miles of city traffic in Portland and Seattle, and cruising through Montana and Wyoming at 80-plus mph. Credit Honda’s new hyper-efficient 3.5-liter, 280-horsepower V-6 engine and nine-speed gearbox (available only in the high-end Touring and Elite trims). Shedding 250 pounds of bulk from the previous edition doesn’t hurt, either. The result is a behemoth of a Honda that handles more like a premium sport SUV.
Also new for the Pilot is an AWD system that can modulate gearing and traction for muddy, sandy, or snowy conditions. An unexpected treat is Honda’s Lane Keeping Assist System, which autopilots for roughly ten seconds at a time—long enough to whip out a pair of sunglasses or plug your phone into the charger.
The Verdict: A luxurious, all-season, tech-packed carriage disguised as, well, a Honda.
$46,570; 19 mpg city/26 hwy