Honda Reveals the Specs for the 2016 Pilot

2016 Honda Pilot (Credit: © Honda)

I believe that I speak for most people when I say that the 2016 Honda Pilot is the best this SUV has looked in, well, forever. On top of this new look, the 2016 Pilot will also be significantly more powerful than the model it replaces, thanks to a retuning of the 3.5-liter V-6 engine that drives it.

This retuned version of the 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC Earth Dreams engine will produce a respectable 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. When compared to the 2015 Pilot, the 2016 model cranks out 30 more horsepower and 9 more pound-feet of torque. Along with this new engine are two new transmissions, both of which are firsts for the Japanese automaker. The standard transmission is a new six-speed automatic, while top trim levels will get s new nine-speed auto.

2016 Honda Pilot (Credit: © Honda)

Also new for the 2016 model year is the Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) system. This system variably distributes the torque between the front and rear wheels. What’s more, for the first time ever in a Honda, this system also adjusts torque to the left and right rear wheels to optimize traction and handling.

Intelligent Traction Management also chimes in to help traction, but it does so for both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive Pilots. This push-button system has four settings for all-wheel-drive models (Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow) and two settings for front-driven models (Normal and Snow) to help maximize traction and safety in varying conditions.

We’re still waiting on a confirmed on-sale date for the 2016 Pilot, but I am sure we will see it by the fall of 2015. Keep it locked here for all of the latest details.