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How Much Can a Honda Pilot Tow?

Honda Pilot on a road with a river in the background

The Honda Pilot has consistently been one of the most formidable entries in the mid-size SUV segment. Its supple handling, roomy cabin, large cargo space, and generous standard safety features make it a hugely popular option among family vehicle buyers. Besides being an excellent everyday family hauler, this SUV is also a great choice for families who enjoy outdoor adventures, thanks to its high tow and payload ratings. Let's take a detailed look at the towing and hauling capabilities of the 2021 Honda Pilot.

How Much Can the 2021 Honda Pilot Tow?

Image via Flickr by suendercafe via CC BY-SA 2.0

The towing capacity of the 2021 Honda Pilot may vary depending on which trim level and drivetrain you choose. This SUV is available in seven trim levels, including the base LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and the range-topping Black Edition.

The five lower trims of the Pilot, from the LX to the Touring, come standard with front-wheel drive, which enables them to tow up to 3,500 pounds. However, if they're equipped with the available all-wheel drive, they can deliver an impressive tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Elite and Black Edition are only available with all-wheel drive, meaning they can pull up to 5,000 pounds with their standard drivetrain.

How Much Can the 2021 Honda Pilot Haul?

Along with strong towing capability, the 2021 Honda Pilot also has a solid payload rating of 1,625 pounds. With its great hauling capacity and generous cargo room, it's able to carry a lot of stuff, including bulky and heavy objects. This Honda SUV offers 18.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rearmost seats upright, 55.9 cubic feet with those seats folded, and 109.2 cubic feet with both the second-row and rearmost seats folded. These numbers are above average in the mid-size SUV segment.

Why Does the Honda Pilot Have Such a High Towing Capacity?

One of the main reasons why the 2021 Honda Pilot has a higher tow rating than many of its competitors is because of its potent powertrain. Under the hood of this Honda SUV, you'll find a punchy 3.5-liter V-6 engine that generates 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine provides smooth and quick acceleration, propelling the Pilot to 60 mph from a standstill in just six seconds. It's also brawny enough to handle strenuous driving tasks such as climbing up steep slopes and towing or hauling heavy loads.

Another feature of the Honda Pilot that plays a vital role in its towing capacity is its advanced all-wheel-drive system. This system comes with a new technology called Intelligent Variable Torque Management, which allows it to deliver the right amount of torque to each axle. Additionally, it's able to monitor the level of traction for each wheel and redistribute power to improve road grip and stability on slippery roads or adverse terrain. With all four wheels sharing the work and enhanced traction, an all-wheel-drive Pilot delivers a significantly higher tow rating than a front-wheel-drive model.

What Can the 2021 Honda Pilot Tow and Haul?

Grey Honda Pilot parked in a residential parking lot
Image via Flickr by suendercafe via CC BY-SA 2.0

If you're planning to use your 2021 Honda Pilot for towing on a regular basis, it's recommended that you get the available tow package. This package consists of a trailer hitch receiver, trailer hitch locking pin, trailer hitch harness with a seven-pin connector, and a trailer hitch ball. When it's equipped with these towing features, the SUV is able to tow large and heavy objects effectively and safely in almost any situation. Your load will remain securely attached to the vehicle even when you're driving at a high speed, making a sharp turn, or negotiating rough terrain.

Now that you know a front-wheel-drive Honda Pilot has a tow rating of 3,500 pounds, you may be wondering what types of objects you can tow. With this towing capacity, you'll be able to transport a couple of dirt bikes or ATVs, a pair of jet skis, a lightweight boat, or a pop-up camper. If you're planning to tow a heavy object such as a larger boat, a mid-size camping trailer, or another vehicle on a flat-bed trailer, you should opt for an all-wheel-drive model.

Besides having plenty of pulling power at your disposal, you can also store a lot of cargo inside the Honda Pilot. Behind the third-row seats, there's enough space for six carry-on bags, a pair of large golf bags, or a stroller. If you fold down the second- and third-row seats, you'll be able to store more than three dozen carry-on bags or even a pile of 4x8 plywood sheets. In addition, this SUV has many other practical storage solutions, including a hidden storage well, a large storage bin in the center console, a lockable glove compartment, and 15 cup-holders.

Does the Honda Pilot Have Any Features to Ensure Safe Towing?

Towing a heavy load can compromise the handling and stability of your SUV, especially when you're negotiating sharp corners or winding roads, cruising at highway speeds, or driving in a hilly area. This can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and increase your risk of accidents. Also, you may endanger the lives of the motorists and pedestrians around you if the object you're towing comes loose from the hitch.

Fortunately, the 2021 Honda Pilot is equipped with a multi-angle rearview camera that enables you to keep an eye on your trailer while you're driving. The camera also makes parking easier and safer. Additionally, the Pilot comes with hill start assist to keep you safe when you're driving on a hill. When you're starting your vehicle on an incline, this system automatically applies the brakes for a few seconds as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator. By doing so, it prevents the SUV from rolling back, which can sometimes happen when you're towing a heavy object.

If you want to know whether the 2021 Honda Pilot is right for you, consider dropping by Rydell Honda of Grand Forks for a test drive. Contact us today to arrange an appointment. 

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2022 Honda Odyssey Configurations

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Come To Rydell Honda of Grand Forks and Try a Honda Odyssey Today To learn more about what the Honda Odyssey can do for you, call us or contact us online to speak with a member of our staff who can answer any questions you have. If you're ready to see the 2022 Honda Odyssey for yourself, come out and visit us in person. We'll let you take an Odyssey out for a test drive to see how it feels and work with you to arrange your Honda Odyssey purchase if you like what you find.

2022 Honda Odyssey interior looking over a lake in summer

All About the Honda Real-Time AWD

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If you enjoy taking side roads, getting off the highway, and exploring, this is also an essential system for you. Even if you drive the same road every day, commuting to and from work, having an AWD System could be a lifesaver (literally!). Real-Time AWD gives you confidence when driving your vehicle, especially in winter conditions. Weather and road quality changes can happen quickly, so we highly recommend the Honda Real Time AWD System for anyone! Which Honda Models Can Be Equipped with Honda Real Time AWD? So you're thinking of getting a Honda with the Real-Time AWD System, but you don't know where to start. Families of the Grand Forks area would undoubtedly benefit from this innovative system's safety, security, and stability. See the list of Honda vehicles below that are compatible with the Honda Real Time AWD System (all are 2020 models). Speak to the friendly folk at Rydell Honda of Grand Forks to find out about other compatible models with Real-Time AWD. CR-V in all trims. HR-V in EX, EX-L, LX, and Sport trims (standard for Touring trims). Passport in EX-L, Sport, and Touring trims (standard for Elite trims). Pilot in EX, EX-L, LC, and Touring trims (standard for Elite and Black Edition trims). Ridgeline in Sport and RTL trims (standard for RTL-E and Black Edition trims). Are You Ready for a Honda with Real Time AWD? The Honda Real Time AWD System combines stability with high fuel efficiency to keep you and your family safe in changing weather and road conditions. This compact and light mechanism uses computer intelligence to determine how much power to send to the rear tires. AWD is not constantly engaged when it isn't needed. This will keep you from unnecessarily using extra fuel to move forward. This system is truly a game-changer for Grand Forks residents. Living in an area with variable weather conditions, especially in the winter months, makes having an AWD vehicle essential. The Honda Real Time AWD System allows you to have the safety of AWD when you need it while offering front-wheel drive and fuel economy when you don't. Get in touch with us at Rydell Honda now to get set up with a Honda fitted with Honda's Real Time AWD System today!

Honda CR-V with the logo on the side driving up a dirt hill

Will the Honda CRV be redesigned in 2022?

At Rydell Honda of Grand Forks, we love the CR-V. It's just what so many of our buyers need: the right balance of comfort, utility, value, and fun. Since its debut in 1997, the Honda CR-V has only grown in quality and popularity. The compact SUV is now one of the most popular vehicle styles in the world. Honda has taken everything it knows about making desirable, reliable cars and made the perfect compact family ride. Through five generations, the CR-V has continued to evolve, adding technology and innovation at every redesign. Wondering what the future holds for this vehicle? Exciting things are rumored for 2022 and 2023. Honda engineers are working to make the best even better. A brand new CR-V model is on the horizon. We don't know a lot yet, but we can speculate on what changes might be in the works. What's good that we'd never change? What improvements would you want? 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It never shifts; it's always in the power band. Will the 2022-23 CR-V see another transmission innovation? The third-generation CR-V, launched in 2006, was the first to see USB ports and Bluetooth. We can expect that plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the upcoming model, but how can the sixth generation do something special with infotainment? Maybe it can expand on some of the family features from the Odyssey? Wireless charging, at least in the front, seems like a guarantee. Spy Shots What's more exciting than a prototype with the badges covered by camouflage? Test drivers try to be sneaky, but automotive spies are always on the lookout. So what have sneak peaks of the new CR-V revealed? Early reports show the new version is larger than before. It's longer overall with a stretched hood and rear overhang, looking a bit lower and sleeker to the eye. The extra space may accommodate an optional third row. It certainly will allow more passenger and cargo space. The trapezoidal grille is more prominent on the newest model. The rear lights are now horizontal rather than vertical, creating a less boxy look. Considering the Accord and Civic were recently redesigned, the new CR-V will likely borrow much from both. It will likely share a platform with the Honda Civic, which is excellent. No doubt the CR-V will be springier as a result. Spy shots also show lots of Accord styling on the front end and the dash. The infotainment screen shares a similar design, so Honda will probably keep it for the SUV, too. Possible Engines for the 2022 CR-V AS it turns out, 2020 may have already told us what we need to know about what will be under the hood of the next generation CR-V. Last year Honda dropped its 2.4-liter engine in favor of a 1.5-liter turbo-charged inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Not missing the extra displacement, critics were impressed by the power, lack of lag, and fuel efficiency. That same year, Honda debuted a hybrid CR-V that combines an electric motor with a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle turbo four-cylinder to provide 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque combined. It's very likely that both the 1.5-liter and the hybrid will continue into 2022. We'd love to see the next generation CR-V get the Civic Type R treatment. Think about wringing 306 horsepower out of a 2.0-liter engine? Imagine lowering the CR-V a bit and borrowing the Type R's four-wheel independent suspension. Why not blow open the CR-V's practical reputation? Life is too short to not have a CR-V Type R. What Do the People Want? Whatever the year or car, many people have the same desires. They want power without sacrificing fuel economy. The 1.5-liter and hybrid are both good choices already, but they can be improved. A larger battery and electric motor on the hybrid would take more pressure off the gas side, further improving fuel efficiency. Yet people always want to be able to zoom, providing a desire for Honda's racing blood in every vehicle. The CR-V has always been the conservative kid. Maybe it's time for a fun version. Many families want three rows, and Honda seems ready to deliver. It launched a three-row version at the Geneva Auto Show in 2018. On a new stretched frame, seating six to seven in a CR-V would be easy, and it would be a great seller. A panoramic moon roof would be a lovely option, and a more robust climate control system is likely in the works. At Rydell Honda of Grand Forks, we've been selling new and used vehicles of all makes for nearly 70 years. Buyers from both sides of the North Dakota/Minnesota border trust us to navigate the ever-shifting world of new cars. Year after year, Honda has delivered machines big and small that love to do their jobs without stopping. The CR-V is one of our favorites because it fits the lives of active people and families so well. And the CR-V keeps getting better. New, used, or future, Rydell has the right CR-V configuration for you. Contact us for any questions, and stay tuned for more news about the latest Honda models. We'll make sure you're the first to know.