The Honda Pilot is a versatile, family-friendly option in midsize SUVs. It comes standard with three spacious rows of seats, plus plenty of cargo space.
The Pilot competes with other midsize 3-row SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, and Volkswagen Atlas. The Pilot is a top choice if you like the idea of an SUV with the practicality of a minivan.
Every Pilot comes standard with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Honda equipped most trims with a 6-speed automatic transmission, but the Touring and Elite models use a 9-speed. With the 6-speed, the Pilot returns 19 city/27 highway mpg with front-wheel drive (FWD) and 18 city/26 highway mpg with all-wheel drive (AWD). You get a 1 mpg improvement in the city with the 9-speed.
FWD is standard, and AWD is optional on all but the top Elite trim, which has standard AWD.
2019 is a good model year to shop for because the Pilot got some nice updates like refreshed styling and standard Honda Sensing on every trim. Let’s take a closer look at the model range of the 2019 Honda Pilot and find the right SUV for you.
2019 Honda Pilot LX (Original starting price when new: $31,450)
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The base LX trim is a budget-friendly 3-row SUV, but it’s missing a couple of the latest features many drivers will want, making it a questionable value.
Standard features include 3-row seating for up to eight people, two USB ports, LED headlights and daytime running lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and the basics like cruise control and air conditioning.
The weakness of the LX trim is the outdated 5-inch infotainment system. It has Bluetooth and a backup camera, but it does not have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Drivers looking for modern smartphone connectivity features will want to upgrade to the EX trim or higher.
Who is this trim for? The LX model is for drivers looking for a modern family SUV at an affordable price and who don’t mind missing out on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
2019 Honda Pilot LX includes:
Honda Sensing — This standard safety tech suite includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more.
3-row seating — Three comfortable rows of seats give the Pilot minivan-like practicality.
V6 engine — The standard V6 in the Pilot delivers a nice balance of power and efficiency.
2019 Honda Pilot EX (Original starting price when new: $34,330)
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The 2019 Honda Pilot EX started at $34,330.
The mid-range EX model is in the sweet spot of the Pilot lineup. It has an excellent list of standard features while keeping the price affordable for a wide range of drivers.
The most significant improvement is the 8-inch infotainment system loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and SiriusXM.
Other standard features you get with the EX model include tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, remote start, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, one-touch second-row seats for easy third-row access, LED fog lights, and more.
Who is this trim for? — With its modern infotainment system and a generous list of features at an affordable price, the EX trim is the best value in the Pilot lineup for most shoppers.
2019 Honda Pilot EX includes:
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay — These smartphone connectivity features make it easy to bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in your SUV.
Blind-spot monitoring — This adds safety and convenience to your lane changes.
Tri-zone automatic climate control — This feature maximizes comfort for the driver and passengers.
2019 Honda Pilot EX-L (Original starting price when new: $37,760)
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The 2019 Honda Pilot EX-L started at $37,760.
The “L” in “EX-L” stands for leather, which is the most significant improvement of the EX-L trim over the EX model. You get leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped shift knob.
Other premium features you get with the EX-L model include a power moonroof, a memory driver’s seat and mirrors, second-row sunshades, a power liftgate, a power front passenger seat, an auto-dimming mirror, and two USB ports in the second row.
There’s also an EX-L Navi/RES model, which is technically its own trim. However, the only upgrades over the regular EX-L model are navigation, a rear entertainment system with a Bluray player, and an AC power outlet.
Who is this trim for? The Pilot EX-L is for drivers looking for an affordable family SUV with a few premium features like leather seats and a moonroof.
2019 Honda Pilot EX-L includes:
Leather seats — Leather seating gives this family SUV a more premium feel.
Moonroof — A power moonroof opens up the interior of the Pilot.
Power liftgate — Once you’ve had this feature, you won’t know how you lived without it.
2019 Honda Pilot Touring (Original starting price when new: $44,420)
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The 2019 Honda Pilot Touring started at $44,420.
The Touring trim adds several luxurious features transforming the Pilot into a more premium SUV. A few standard features include the more efficient 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, a hands-free power liftgate, 20-inch wheels, parking sensors, heated second-row seats, upgraded LED headlights, a roof rack, an auto stop/start system, 10-speaker premium audio, and tasteful gloss black and chrome exterior trim.
Like the EX-L Navi/RES model, the Touring trim comes standard with navigation and a rear entertainment system.
Second-row captain’s chairs are optional on the Touring trim.
Who is this trim for? The Pilot Touring is for families looking for an upscale 3-row SUV but who don’t want to sacrifice practicality.
2019 Honda Pilot Touring includes:
9-speed transmission — This is the trim where the more fuel-efficient 9-speed transmission becomes standard.
Navigation — Get to your destination with confidence.
Rear entertainment system — Your passengers will love the rear entertainment system with a Bluray player and built-in entertainment apps.
2019 Honda Pilot Elite (Original starting price when new: $48,020)
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The 2019 Honda Pilot Elite started at $48,020.
The Elite trim sits at the top of the Honda Pilot model range. It’s the only Pilot that comes standard with all-wheel drive and second-row captain’s chairs.
The Elite trim further builds on the Touring trim with auto-dimming side mirrors, power-folding mirrors, a wireless charging pad, a panoramic moonroof, cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and third-row floor mats.
Who is this trim for? The luxurious Pilot Elite is for the driver looking for a premium 3-row SUV without a premium price tag.
2019 Honda Pilot Elite includes:
Standard AWD — The Elite model is the only Pilot with standard all-wheel drive.
Panoramic moonroof — This Pilot has a vast, dual-pane sunroof while retaining the rear entertainment system.
2nd-row captain’s chairs — Captain’s chairs add more comfort for the second row and make the third row more accessible.
