Honda Pilot 2012
Posted: April 3rd, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2012 New Car Models, Honda | Leave a comment »The 2012 Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV offered in four trim levels – LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring – and available in front- or four-wheel-drive (pricing from $ 28,470 to $40,820 MSRP). The Honda Pilot seats eight and competes with crossovers like the Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, GMC Acadia and Dodge Durango.
Honda was one of the first automakers to the market with a full-size crossover SUV with three rows of seating. When the Pilot debuted (with 2003 model year), it helped define a new automotive segment, aimed squarely at the needs of American buyers who required plenty of seating and cargo options, yet were looking for something other than a minivan or top-heavy SUV. The new Honda Pilot is a powerful crossover SUV, engineered for quality and durability, as well as high levels of functionality and comfort.
The 2012 Honda Pilot LX model comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, automatic headlights, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, air conditioning, 60/40-split second- and third-row seats and a seven-speaker audio system with an auxiliary audio jack and CD/MP3 player. The EX model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, foglights, an eight-way power driver seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, steering wheel audio controls and 26 GB og digital music storage.
The EX-L upgrades include a power liftgate, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, heated front seats, a rearview camera, a new multi-informational display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The high-end Touring model of 2012 Honda Pilot adds roof rails, parking sensors, driver memory functions, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a 10-speaker premium sound system.
The 2012 Pilot‘s new grille and front fascia replace the prior model’s grille insert with a distinctive three-bar horizontal design. Reconfigured multi-reflector halogen headlights and turn signals contribute also to the new Honda Pilot’s look. A new front air dam and optimized strakes help reduce frontal area and unwanted air turbulence, both of which impact fuel economy.
Interior styling changes are designed to increase refinement troughout the cabin also enhancing the intuitive nature of the controls. The instrument panel uses a more unified color theme with less contrast between panels. The redesigned center stack adds a subtle U-shaped character line and different textures to create a layered effect on the panel. The tailgate features a lift-up glass hatch for convenient access to the rearmost cargo area. The Pilot’s 18.0 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third row matches or exceeds the trunk space of a typical large sedan. For maximum cargo space, the second and third rows fold flat into the floor to create 87.0 cubic feet of storage capacity.
The 2012 Honda Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). The VCM system allows the V-6 engine to operate in six-cylinder mode for power and four- or three-cylinder mode for efficiency. This engine generates 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only available transmission.
Fuel economy of 2012 Honda Pilot place this car near the top of its segment, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city / 24 mpg highway on 4-wheel-drive models and 18 mpg city/ 25 mpg highway on 2-wheel-drive models.
Safety technology of 2012 Honda Pilot includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that helps reduce the amount of crash energy reaching the passenger compartment and can enhance frontal collision compatibility. Standard safety equipment of 2012 Honda Pilot also includes antilock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.