2020 Honda Pilot: Black edition pricey
Honda has decades of success with its compact and sedan lineup. But like most carmakers, it knows vehicle buyers’ habits are increasingly focused on pickup trucks, SUVS and vans.
Combined, the Japanese manufacturer makes seven utility vehicles, including the 2020 Honda Pilot.
The Pilot is in its 19th year as Honda’s biggest SUV. It combines the brand’s reputation and reliability with family and cargo-carrying strengths. It’s the company’s only three-row offering.
Available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition trims, all Pilots are equipped with 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower engines. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard for the LX, EX and EX-L trims; A ninespeed transmission is included in the Touring Elite and Black Edition trims.
Front-wheel drive is standard on lower trims, all-wheel drive is standard on Elite and Black Edition models and optional on other trims.
The Black Edition, new for 2020, is a niche marketing approach. It’s the topline Elite trim, but with black exterior features — special lettering to wheels — and red interior trim. Specifically, the paint-it-black theme extends to the grille and headlight, window and side trims, fog lights, door handles and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Black Edition logos are included on the front seats and floor mats and same-themed badges are positioned on the tailgate and grille. The contrasting red trim is attractive and prominent. It’s featured as lighting on the dashboard and on the doors and center console. There’s also red stitching on the steering wheel and door panels.
Honda isn’t the first manufacturer to offer a Black Edition, but reasons for the trend seem contradictory. Instead of opting for the highest trim levels with more bling, Black Edition owners desire a more stealth appearance. But the style only brings more attention to the vehicle.
As the flagship offering, the Elite trim includes most of the standard features on less expensive models. But it’s offered standard with the second-row
captain’s chairs and a handful of upperscale items. Auto-dimming and powerfolding side mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a wireless charging pad are all worthy. The second-row captain’s chairs on the Elite and Black Edition trims reduce the seating capacity from eight to seven.
Plenty of other features are also included, a signature of Honda’s long-standing quality-in-quantity approach. The list includes: roof rails, sound-reducing front door glass, front and rear parking sensors, handsfree operation for the liftgate, and heated rear seats. A Wi-fi hotspot and a 10-speaker premium audio system and rear entertainment system provide technology competency.
The Pilot drives similarly to its SUV, truck and van siblings. It has a steady, confident and largely quiet ride. On mountain roads, the Pilot advances without hesitation and can pass slower vehicles despite its size and V6 engine. Gas mileage averages are disappointing, 19 miles per gallon in city driving, 26 mpg on the highway.
When its easy-to-maneuver seating is positioned with second and third rows down, the Pilot has a cavernous cargo area. It stores two bicycles without issue and would easily provide a makeshift sleeping area.
With its lengthy list of standard features and blackened appearance, the Black Edition is the most expensive SUV in the Honda lineup at $50,715.
Beyond the always top-selling HR-V, the Pilot was Honda’s second-best-selling SUV in 2019 at slightly more than 135,000 units.
No doubt, the Black Edition has its audience. But with a new selling price of more than $50,000, its biggest completion is likely its own automotive family. Less Honda is more Honda.
James Raia, a syndicated columnist in Sacramento, publishes a free weekly automotive podcast and electronic newsletter. Sign-ups are available on his website, theweeklydriver.com. He can be reached via email: james@ jamesraia.com.