With a scheduled release date of fall 2021, excitement is building over the all-new fourth generation Honda Pilot. Many car enthusiasts are wondering what this three-row SUV’s redesign will look like and what new features will stand out in the 2022 Pilot. While we’ll all have to be patient for a few more months, here’s what we know so far about the 2022 Honda Pilot.
2022 Honda Pilot’s Seating and Cargo
We don’t know much yet about the new Pilot’s interior, but Honda is sure to stick with some basics that helped put the Pilot near the top of the mid-sized SUV class. The Pilot will feature three rows of seating, giving it a capacity of up to eight people. In the 2021 setup, capacity dropped to seven if optional captains chairs were added to the second row. Reviewers at Edmunds hope that the redesign may lead to the third row being more easy to access.
In the 2021 setup, passengers in all three rows enjoy ample legroom. But legroom and headroom could get even more generous for 2022 if the planned lengthening of the cabin goes ahead. Drivers may also have an easier time using the Pilot’s technology thanks to newly-designed mounted controls on the steering wheel.
The third generation Pilot has 18.5 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, which can be folded down to unveil over 55 cubic feet of space. With the prospect of the 2022 Pilot having a bigger cabin, these numbers may increase with the fresh design.
Pilot’s Engine
Most observers seem to agree that Honda will stick with the powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine under the hood of the redesigned Pilot. In the 2021 model, this engine was good for 280 horsepower and was paired with a newly-installed nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine setup produced fuel efficiency numbers of 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for the 2021 Pilot. Since it’s unlikely there’ll be major changes to the 2022 Pilot’s power train, its fuel economy figures will probably be similar.
Will there be an Exterior Redesign?
Bigger changes are in store for the Pilot’s exterior, which is tipped to become more rugged. Industry insiders suggest that Honda may draw heavily on the design for the 2021 Ridgeline, the automaker’s pickup truck. More pronounced LED headlights, a large chrome grill, and sleeker sides are also anticipated. Reports that the new Pilot will also benefit from enhanced ground clearance may interest keen off-roaders.
A lighter body and lower profile may enable the 2022 Pilot to accelerate more swiftly than the 2021 edition. Some observers also suggest that the exterior redesign will result in improved handling. On top of that, the fourth generation Pilot is expected to get 20-inch alloy wheels.
If Honda sticks to the Ridgeline model as a guide, the Pilot’s cabin may increase in size and take on a more boxy appearance. A broader range of exterior color choices is also expected.
Honda’s Infotainment and Driver Assistance Technology
Honda is keeping its plans for the all-new Pilot’s infotainment system and driver assistance technology under wraps until the release date. The current base infotainment system features a 5-inch display, two USB ports, and BlueTooth connectivity. Since smart phone connectivity is only available in the 2021 Pilot as an optional extra, Honda may decide to make that part of its standard setup for 2022.
The HondaLink system is sure to remain available. This useful technology allows you to perform various tasks remotely, including starting your engine, and locking or unlocking your car. Starting the engine remotely can come in handy on hot or cold days, giving your Pilot a few minutes to warm up or cool down before getting inside.
The outgoing Pilot has a good range of standard safety features, such as forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, and lane departure warning. It also features automatic high-beam headlights for improved visibility.
Speculation suggests that the 2022 Pilot’s package of safety features will include a tire pressure monitor and seven air bags. In addition, it will have a traction control system to help with performance on rough terrain.
2022 Honda Pilot Trims and Pricing
We’ll have to wait until the Pilot’s fall release to learn about the final trim lineup. Currently, the 2021 Pilot is sold in seven trims: LX, EX, EX-L, Special Edition, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition.
The EX and Touring trims have proven particularly popular to date. The EX trim features an 8-inch infotainment touch screen, smart phone compatibility, and a power adjustable driver’s seat. It also benefits from some of the optional driver assistance features, including blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
The Touring trim features leather-trimmed seats and a hands-free liftgate. There’s also some improvements to the infotainment system, including a rear-seat entertainment screen, a wireless hot spot, and a 10-speaker premium stereo. Drivers get a little more assistance behind the wheel with a navigation system, and rear and front parking sensors.
In terms of pricing, the 2022 Pilot is expected to have a starting retail price of about $34,000. This would make it slightly more expensive than the 2021 base LX trim, which starts at $32,250. This may indicate that Honda is planning to offer more technology and infotainment features in its base Pilot setup.
We hope that this preview of the upcoming 2022 Pilot has grabbed your interest. The main things to look out for will be the eye-catching exterior redesign, an even roomier cabin, and some excellent new standard infotainment and driver assistance technology. As a leading Honda dealer in Grand Forks, we can’t wait to present you with all of the Pilot’s great new features.
As the fall release date approaches, we encourage you to keep checking back to learn about the latest details as they become available. In the meantime, if you’d like to ask any questions about the Pilot or reserve your 2022 model, feel free to contact our helpful team of auto experts. Alternatively, why not drop by our showroom to learn more about our Honda inventory and talk to someone in person?
Connect with us
