Used 2012 Honda Pilot for sale 

The Honda Pilot is offered in four trim levels and with a single-engine option. The drivetrain can be had in an FWD and an AWD layout. The trim level starts with the base LX trim priced at $28,620 for the FWD layout. It comes with some handy features such as keyless entry, rear privacy glass, a trailer hitch, automatic headlights, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, front and rear air-conditioning, 60/40-split second-and third-row seats, and a seven-speaker audio system. Stepping up to the EX trim sees a further addition of several features such as alloy wheels, fog lights, painted body molding, heated exterior mirrors on AWD models, and an eight-way power driver seat. The EX-L offers the best value for money with some premium features such as a sunroof, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power passenger seat, a rearview camera, a multi-information display for audio and vehicle information, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The range-topping Touring trim completes the package with roof rails, parking sensors, driver memory functions, and a 10-speaker premium sound system.

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We would suggest you the EX trim if you’re on a strict budget or the EX-L trim for a wholesome experience of the SUV.

The Honda Pilot is powered by a standard 3.5liter J35Z4 V6 motor and is tuned to crank out a maximum of 250 horsepower and 253lb-ft of maximum torque. It surely isn’t the most powerful one in the segment but has a sweet nature of its own. The refinement levels are just about right and the motor feels quite responsive too but might suffer from a sluggish acceleration if you try to extract the most out of it within a fraction of a second. In normal driving conditions, the motor is powerful enough to haul your family and your cargo effortlessly.

The SUV completes the 0-60mph run in a slow 9.1 seconds which is acceptable considering the price and the practicality it offers. The 5-speed automatic transmission is decent enough and utilizes all the power from the motor quite efficiently.

The Ford Explorer is the most powerful SUV as per its horsepower output but has slightly more torque output than the Pilot. The Nissan Pathfinder has more power than the Pilot but lesser than the Explorer yet it aces the torque output department with a respectable 288lb-ft of pulling prowess.

The Honda Pilot offers a surprising fuel economy if we consider its power and heft. The SUV returns a city mileage of 18mpg and a highway mileage of 25mpg. The combined mileage is rated at 21mpg.

The Ford Explorer has similar fuel economy figures to the Honda Pilot and is quite impressive considering the power it has on tap. The Nissan Pathfinder disappoints here with lower-than-average fuel economy figures.

The updated styling for the current model year resulted in some impressive changes to the interior of the SUV. The center console is now less cluttered with buttons and the controls are placed more ergonomically now, making them easier to operate while driving as well. The only downside of the cabin is the presence of some sub-par plastic surfaces that fades away in front of more upscale interiors of the rivals. The front seats of the SUV are quite comfortable and supportive for long trips.

The 2nd-row seats are decent with adequate headroom and legroom while the third row can actually accommodate adults with considerable comfort but the low cushioning on both the 2nd and 3rd row might result in taller passengers seating in a squatting position. The SUV can hold a maximum of 87 cubic feet of cargo and thanks to its boxy shape, it can accommodate big cargo items without much hassle.

The Ford Explorer has an equally spacious cabin with a better fit and finish levels than the Honda Pilot and a better 2nd and 3rd row seats as well. The Nissan Pathfinder is also quite comfortable and boasts a better overall cabin quality than the Honda Pilot.

Infotainment

The Honda Pilot comes with an appropriate infotainment system to keep all the occupants entertained at all times. The base trim has some pretty basic features such as a seven-speaker audio system with an auxiliary audio jack and CD/MP3 player. Stepping up to the EX trim adds Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and 2GB of digital music storage.

The EX-L trim adds an iPod/USB audio interface and satellite radio to the already existing features. There are a couple of additional features on offer too which include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a voice-activated navigation system along with voice controls, and a 15GB music server.

Highlighted infotainment system features of the SUV are:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• CD Player
• MP3 Player
• Premium Sound System
• Bluetooth
• Digital music storage 
• Rear-seat DVD entertainment system(optional)

The design update for the 2012 model year has resulted in a chunky and boxy yet tasteful appeal for the Pilot SUV. Even though the overall design seems to be moving away from the current trend, it actually appeals to the right set of buyers and retains the proper SUV appeal.

The side profile is rather slim with slightly sculpted fenders while the rear-end looks catchy with a premium touch to the design cues.

The Ford Explorer looks more macho and appealing with its wide front grille and big headlamp units flanking it generously. It has a rather muscular appeal as opposed to the slimmer profile of the Honda Pilot. The Nissan Pathfinder again has a tall design like the Pilot and has its own distinctive appeal with an interesting front end design.

Honda has always been quite serious about the safety of its vehicles and the Pilot isn’t an exception. The SUV comes with a 4-star out of 5 rating from the NHTSA and the best possible “Good” rating from the IIHS as well.

The standard features of the SUV include anti-lock brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Parking sensors and a rearview camera is offered as optional extra.

Safety features of the SUV are:

• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Traction Control

In a market of modern and stylish family movers, the chunky and boxy Honda Pilot holds its ground with its practicality and competitive features along with a decent performance bundled within a reasonable price tag. The SUV can comfortably fit a maximum of 8 adults, a rarity among the segment, and has a generous cargo carrying capacity too. It retains the proper SUV-ish appeal and has more than adequate quirks going for it.