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2006 Honda Pilot SUV
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What’s New?
For 2006, the Pilot receives a new grille, hood, fenders, headlights, bumpers, and tail lights. EX trim levels receive fog lights, and both EX and LX trims feature new alloy wheel designs. Inside, there’s a new instrument panel design, new seat fabrics, and an adjustable headrest. Newly available features include the latest Honda Satellite Navigation System with Voice Recognition and a rear-view camera, a Honda DVD Entertainment System, and a 115-volt accessory outlet. The Pilot is also now available in an all-new, two-wheel-drive version featuring a 3.5L i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management that can deactivate three of the engine’s six cylinders during cruising and deceleration.
Overview
Spun from the Acura MDX in 2003, Honda’s midsize Pilot comes equipped with a 3.5L V-6 producing 244 hp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering power to either the front or all four wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. Offered in three trim levels (LX, EX, and EX-L), all Pilots include three-row side curtain air bags as standard equipment, as well as side air bags for the driver and front passenger and Vehicle Stability Assist. The Pilot LX comes equipped with remote keyless entry, power windows with auto-up/down driver’s window, dual power mirrors, adjustable steering column, front and rear air conditioning with air-filtration system, AM/FM/CD 4-speaker audio system, and cruise control. Also, a multi-function center console with cell phone cradle, painted alloy wheels, body-colored side moldings, and Immobilizer Theft Deterrent System are standard equipment.
The up-level EX adds synchronized automatic climate control, rear privacy glass, a 6-speaker audio system, a 6-disc in-dash CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, machined alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, and the HomeLink Remote System. The top shelf EX-L trim adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces in all three rows, a power moonroof, a conversation mirror with sunglasses holder, and a rearview mirror with compass (on non-navigation models). Pilot EX-L models are available with a new Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System featuring a 9-inch video screen, integrated remote control, wireless headphones with Personal Surround Sound technology, and a 115-volt power outlet in the center console. EX-L models can also be equipped with Honda’s Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition capabilities and restaurant guide information.
The Competition
The Honda Pilot competes in the 18-member Midsize Utility segment. High fuel prices helped this segment take market share away from its larger full-size brethren, but the smaller crossover utility segment promises to give it a run for the money. Still, the room and power capabilities of the Midsize Utility segment make it a good compromise between its compact and full-size counterparts.
According to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,SM the Midsize Utility segment was led in calendar year 2005 by the Jeep Grand Cherokee with sales of 213,584 units. Trailing the Grand Cherokee was the Ford Explorer with 203,483 sales, followed by the Chevrolet TrailBlazer (163,581). The Pilot was next on the list with 143,353 sales in 2005. Other volume models in this segment include the Dodge Durango, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, Nissan Pathfinder, and GMC Envoy/Envoy XL.
For 2006, the Pilot receives a new grille, hood, fenders, headlights, bumpers, and tail lights. EX trim levels receive fog lights, and both EX and LX trims feature new alloy wheel designs. Inside, there’s a new instrument panel design, new seat fabrics, and an adjustable headrest. Newly available features include the latest Honda Satellite Navigation System with Voice Recognition and a rear-view camera, a Honda DVD Entertainment System, and a 115-volt accessory outlet. The Pilot is also now available in an all-new, two-wheel-drive version featuring a 3.5L i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management that can deactivate three of the engine’s six cylinders during cruising and deceleration.
Overview
Spun from the Acura MDX in 2003, Honda’s midsize Pilot comes equipped with a 3.5L V-6 producing 244 hp and 240 lb.-ft. of torque, delivering power to either the front or all four wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. Offered in three trim levels (LX, EX, and EX-L), all Pilots include three-row side curtain air bags as standard equipment, as well as side air bags for the driver and front passenger and Vehicle Stability Assist. The Pilot LX comes equipped with remote keyless entry, power windows with auto-up/down driver’s window, dual power mirrors, adjustable steering column, front and rear air conditioning with air-filtration system, AM/FM/CD 4-speaker audio system, and cruise control. Also, a multi-function center console with cell phone cradle, painted alloy wheels, body-colored side moldings, and Immobilizer Theft Deterrent System are standard equipment.
The up-level EX adds synchronized automatic climate control, rear privacy glass, a 6-speaker audio system, a 6-disc in-dash CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, machined alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, and the HomeLink Remote System. The top shelf EX-L trim adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces in all three rows, a power moonroof, a conversation mirror with sunglasses holder, and a rearview mirror with compass (on non-navigation models). Pilot EX-L models are available with a new Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System featuring a 9-inch video screen, integrated remote control, wireless headphones with Personal Surround Sound technology, and a 115-volt power outlet in the center console. EX-L models can also be equipped with Honda’s Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition capabilities and restaurant guide information.
The Competition
The Honda Pilot competes in the 18-member Midsize Utility segment. High fuel prices helped this segment take market share away from its larger full-size brethren, but the smaller crossover utility segment promises to give it a run for the money. Still, the room and power capabilities of the Midsize Utility segment make it a good compromise between its compact and full-size counterparts.
According to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,SM the Midsize Utility segment was led in calendar year 2005 by the Jeep Grand Cherokee with sales of 213,584 units. Trailing the Grand Cherokee was the Ford Explorer with 203,483 sales, followed by the Chevrolet TrailBlazer (163,581). The Pilot was next on the list with 143,353 sales in 2005. Other volume models in this segment include the Dodge Durango, Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, Nissan Pathfinder, and GMC Envoy/Envoy XL.
