We’ve had the joy of driving an array of vehicles from Honda Canada over the past few years, but hands down the best we’ve tried ever is the 2016 HONDA PILOT TOURING. Styled like an SUV and spacious like a Mini-Van, we are in awe at the automotive excellence we drove for the past week. We normally find it hard enough already to part with our Hondas at the end of the Test Drive, but this time we were particularly emotional having to part ways.
Let’s talk about the experience driving the Honda Pilot Touring. Zipping through the City with my BFF to our Christmas Dinner, the first thing he said was “Is this car even on? It’s so quiet!” – of course we were fully moving, but something is to be said about its beautifully-engineered i-VTEC V6 engine. The car operates so quietly, you literally can have a full conversation at speech level effortlessly as music blares through its 10 540-watt speakers.
The car glides smooth like silk and I cannot describe the level of confidence you feel in the driver’s seat. The ever-powerful Honda Pilot truly puts you in control of the road with its commanding presence – steering wheel-free mind you – something I value much in unpredictable and sometimes scary Toronto weather. I’ll admit the Engine Idle-Stop still takes a bit of getting used to, but its benefits certainly were reflected in spending about $50 only to fill its tank on 12.4/9.3/11.0 (L/100 km) city/highway/combined fuel efficiency ratings, lasting me about five days of long commutes aka Holiday shopping and gift drop-offs.
The Honda Pilot Touring is pure luxury and sophistication with an elegant design combined with great practicality. Did you know it seats seven people and the middle row of passengers also enjoy the option of seat heaters (and coolers!)? I took my team of Writers out for a Holiday Dinner last week and back to their homes respectively. One of them exclaimed, “This is the car I’m gonna buy!”, toying with the Honda Blu-ray Rear Entertainment System and headphones. It was raves all around as we listened to Adele blaring through the vehicle’s – again, count ’em – 10 speakers, viewing the moonlit sky under not one, but two moonroofs!
Despite some issues playing music I actually paid for off my Android via Bluetooth (although songs stored on my USB played like a charm!), I was able to stay connected and charged with a whopping three USB charging ports, not to mention more charging outlets in the middle row of the vehicle for passengers! The perforated leather seats also were phenomenally-cozy and none of my passengers can disagree with that. Honda pulls-out all the stops here in terms of detail. Floormats even come with turnable knobs which secure them down.
Safety is a priority with the Honda Pilot Touring. Its Blind Spot Information System is intuitive without being overbearing and intrusive, while also being very aware of cross-traffic from the rear of the vehicle. Auto High Beam kicks-in when we are forgetful and maybe a bit too focused driving in the dark, keeping the roads lit and drivers safe. All three rows of seating come with Side Airbags in event of an accident and its Lane-Keeping Assist System keeps us safe and centered while driving.
The 2016 Honda Pilot Touring is priced at a highly-reasonable $52,364.75.
Learn more about it here.
I know what I want for Christmas this year. Do you?
And did we mention pets love it too?
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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