Research 2012 Pilot, Jacksons Popular SUV Made Better

2012 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is sporting a sleek new look for 2012, as well as improved fuel economy and upgrades to the interior. Honda shoppers in the Jackson metro area have put the Pilot at the top of their list when comparing SUVs for its fun-to-drive character, lasting durability and reliability. The Pilot carries forward the essential DNA that defines all Honda vehicles. These traits have previously earned the Pilot multiple awards, including "Best Value of the Year" from IntelliChoice, Edmunds.com's "Most Wanted SUV," and it was named one of Kelley Blue Book's "Top 50 Most Popular Cars." The Honda brand has also won the Edmunds.com “Best Retained Value Award” for Non-Luxury Brands.

For a full list of new features for 2012 see: What's New:  2012 Honda Pilot

Performance

Every Pilot is powered by a 3.5-liter i-VTEC® V-6 engine, which delivers an impressive 250 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque. EPA highway fuel economy rating of 25 mpg(1) on two-wheel-drive models has been improved for 2012, thanks to refined aerodynamics, engine friction reduction and new, low rolling-resistance tires.

Honda's innovative i-VTEC® technology, VCM® works on the principle that a vehicle only requires a fraction of its power output at cruising speeds. The system electronically deactivates cylinders to reduce fuel consumption[1]. The VCM engine is able to run on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders based on the power requirement. So you get the best of both worlds: V-6 power when accelerating or climbing, as well as the efficiency of a smaller engine when cruising.

Interior Features

Configure the Pilot your way! Sixteen different seating configurations are possible, thanks to the 60/40 split-folding second- and third-row seats. Oh yes, third-row access is quick and easy. The Pilot can also be your toolbox on wheels with its fold-flat floor, 87.0 cubic feet of cargo space, tie-down anchors, bag hooks and tailgate with lift-up glass hatch.

The top of the center stack on each Pilot model contains a unique display that varies by model. Pilot LX and EX models contain a three-line display. Pilot EX-L models for 2012 (without navigation) receive the new i-MID, which provides a convenient platform for integration of vehicle information and compatible personal electronics through a color LCD screen and intuitive steering wheel controls. The Pilot EX-L rearview camera display appears in the i-MID and includes guidelines for judging parking distance. The i-MID also shows HandsFreeLink® operation, user-loaded wallpaper such as photos, a fuel-economy display and an audio interface.

The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition means you might never stop for directions again. Convenient Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, lets you make and receive calls with your compatible cell phone so your hands stay on the wheel and your eyes stay on the road (EX and above).

With the Pilot's Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control System with Air Filtration (EX and above), your passengers can choose the exact temperature they want, and you don't have to lift a finger.

The 2012 Pilot features multiple entertainment options. Navigation-equipped models include Song by Voice® which lets you select your soundtrack from the 15-GB audio hard drive memory storage or an iPod® plugged into the USB Audio Interface using simple voice commands. The DVD Rear Entertainment System keeps the rear passengers glued to the vivid 9-inch flip-down screen.

Safety

An array of standard safety features is ready to help protect you and your passengers in every Pilot at this Honda dealer in Mississippi. These include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control, which helps sense oversteer and understeer conditions, then brakes individual wheels and/or reduces throttle input to help restore your intended path of travel. Additionally, the Pilot is equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) in all three second-row seating positions and in the right-side third-row seat.

While sharing the road with many other drivers, sometimes a collision just cannot be avoided. Some standard safety features in the Pilot can help provide a robust defense. Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes. Additionally, front, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor all help to protect you and your passengers.

Models and Features

As with the prior model year, the 2012 Pilot is available in four model choices (Pilot LX, EX, EX-L and Touring), and each is offered in either 2-wheel-drive or 4-wheel-drive configuration.

Honda Pilot LX:
Standard comfort and convenience features on the Pilot LX include a front and rear air conditioning system with air-filtration system, keyless entry with simplified operation, tilt and telescope steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver's and passenger's window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD stereo system with seven speakers including a subwoofer and Radio Data System (RDS), trip computer, heat-rejecting tinted glass, integrated Class III towing receiver, and more. For 2012, the Pilot LX adds AAC audio file playback capability from data discs to the CD player.

Honda Pilot EX:
The Pilot EX adds a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, a power driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, security system, XM Radio®5, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, fog lights, exterior temperature indicator, HomeLink® Remote System, and more. For 2012, the Pilot EX now also features Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (previously exclusive to EX-L with Navi and above models), Bluetooth audio streaming and a new 2 GB CD Library (CD-L) replaces the previous 6-disc CD changer.

Honda Pilot EX-L:
Additional Pilot EX-L features include leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger's seat, one-touch power moonroof, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror and the availability of either the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™2 or the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen. The addition of either the navigation or the entertainment system also adds a 115-volt power outlet. New for 2012 is the addition of a power tailgate to the Pilot EX-L, a USB Audio Interface, and an intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) with QVGA resolution. The i-MID includes a rearview camera display, iPod album artwork display and a user-loadable wallpaper function.

Honda Pilot EX-L with Navigation:
The Pilot EX-L with Navigation adds an upgraded navigation system with higher VGA resolution replacing the previous QVGA display and an internal hard drive that replaces the previous model's DVD-based system. New features include FM Traffic, Song by Voice™, rearview camera with a 3-mode display and a Multi-Information Display in the center of the gauge cluster.

Honda Pilot Touring:
The top-of-the-line Pilot Touring includes the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with rearview camera, a Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink4 and Audio Streaming (with selected phones), the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System, two-position memory seats, roof rails, corner and backup sensors, side-mirror integrated turn indicators and more.

Colors available for 2012 include Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bali Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Dark Cherry Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic, Taffeta White, White Diamond Pearl, new Dark Amber Metallic (replaces Mocha Metallic) and new Glacier White (Pilot Touring). Fabric and leather interior color choices, which are matched to selected exterior colors, include beige, black or gray. See the 2012 Pilot Color Chart

Stop by Patty Peck Honda today to check out the new 2012 Honda Pilot, schedule your test drive now!

(1) 18 city/25 hwy/21 combined mpg for 2WD models and 17 city/24 hwy/20 combined mpg for 4WD models. Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.