Honda has been filling us in on the details of its 2012 model-year lineup, and this photo provides an early look at the new version of the Pilot. The updated 2012 Honda Pilot marks the SUV’s first major revision since model-year 2009.
Visual tweaks for the 2012 Pilot mainly consist of a smoother, more aerodynamic front fascia. Honda says the interior and dashboard have been restyled, and that the Pilot scores upgraded entertainment and navigation systems. For now, we haven’t been granted a look inside the car, so we’ll likely have to wait some time to check out the interior upgrades.
Honda promises that the new Pilot will be more fuel-efficient than the current model, which scores just 17/23 mpg (city/highway) with front-wheel drive or 16/22 mpg with all-wheel drive. It’s unknown whether the economy increase will be attributed to the more aerodynamic styling or revisions to the Pilot’s drivetrain. The 2011 model features a 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. Our guess is a six-speed gearbox has been added, seeing as the Acura MDX — a mechanically similar vehicle which rides upon the same architecture — gained such a transmission for the 2010 model year.
With the boxy Element essentially put out to pasture, the Pilot is now Honda’s slowest-selling SUV. Slow is a somewhat relative term: 102,323 buyers took home a Pilot in 2010. Look for the revamped 2012 Honda Pilot will go on sale this September.
