Honda Pilot Canada
The Honda Pilot is Honda's largest SUV available in Canada replacing the Honda Passport in 2003. The Honda Pilot shares a car-like platform with the Honda Accord and Honda Odyssey minivan and began production at Honda's assembly plant in Alliston, Ontario in 2002. The Pilot was designed as a larger alternative to the surprisingly popular Honda CR-V which broke sales records for Honda since it was launched in 1995. The Pilot shares the same drivetrain and some parts with the Acura MDX also marketed as Honda MDX in Japan and Australia.
Honda Pilot 2003-2008
The Acura MDX was launched in 2001 giving Honda a head start on the manufacturing and parts that came with the Honda Pilot debut in mid 2002 as a 2003 Pilot model, powered by a V6 3.5L 24-valve engine with 240HP, which it shared with the Honda Odyssey, coupled with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The 2003 Honda Pilot is available in AWD and optional front-wheel drive with Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) which monitors and controls cylinder use by closing one bank of cylinder maximizing fuel economy. The Honda Pilot shares 4-wheel drive VTM (Variable Torque Management) technology with the Honda Ridgeline, which runs on 4WD when it detects slippage or first, second gear and reverse but disengages at 30km/h.
The 2006 Honda Pilot received a redesign including a new front grill and headlights, it also received side and curtain airbags. It was also given an upgraded 3.5L V6 engine with 244HP which it shares with the 2010 Honda Ridgeline.
Honda Pilot 2009-2012
The second generation Honda Pilot arrived in Canada in mid 2008 as a 2009 Honda Pilot, with a new V6 3.5L 24-valve SOHC engine with 250HP, coupled with a 5-speed automatic with grade logic control. The new Honda Pilot is no longer manufactured in Canada and moved assembly to Lincoln, Alabama. The exterior received a bolder design with a new grill, larger headlights and grew significantly in size, with a more comfortable and spacious interior. The Honda Pilot also improved its off-road capabilities with Grade Logic Control, Hill Start Assist Control system and Variable Torque Management.
The 2011 Honda Pilot in Canada is available in five trims models; the entry Pilot LX 2WD which is the only one available in front wheel drive, while the Pilot LX includes a standard trailer hitch, 17 inch rims and seating for 8 passengers; the Pilot EX adds heated front seats, climate control, fog lights and power seats; the EX-L trim includes full leather interior, XM satellite radio, sunroof and backup rearview camera. The 2011 Pilot EX-L Res trim features a premium DVD entertainment system with 9-inch screen with personal surround sound. The fully loaded 2011 Honda Pilot Touring includes Bluetooth, heated back-seats, Honda's satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition, XM radio a USB connectivity.
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