At the Automotive Enviro Testing (AET) site in Baudette, Minnesota, which experiences some of the most extreme weather in the country, we stretched the Pilot to its absolute limits. The Pilot is capable practically anyplace you take it, even in subzero weather and challenging terrain.
An Intelligent Traction Management system* helps vehicles handle better in mud, sand, and snow.
When you’re dealing with difficult terrain, the outdoors can be unpredictable. The Pilot offers an all-wheel-drive system because of this.
Get directions, send or receive messages, and more with your compatible iPhone* and the Display Audio touch-screen.
Get directions, send or receive messages, and more with your compatible AndroidTM* phone and the Display Audio touch-screen.
With the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation SystemTM*, you can always find your way even when there is no cell phone coverage since it uses offline maps. It includes directions as well as lane assistance to assist you in getting ready for curves that are coming up.
With an AT&T data subscription, you can transform your Pilot into a Wi-Fi* hotspot and take advantage of wireless streaming features including audio and entertainment system upgrades.
Using the CabinControl app on their cellphones, travelers may control the climate, modify the music, and more.
From your smartphone, HondaLink Subscription Services provides access to the fuel and range status as well as door lock and unlock functionality.
* Details can be found here.
With the help of sensors in the back bumper, the blind spot information system (BSI) may identify oncoming vehicles in a nearby lane and warn you of their presence.
You’ll have more assistance when reversing thanks to sensors in the rear bumper that will let you know when other vehicles are nearby.
With the multi-angle rearview camera’s* three separate views—normal, top-down, and wide—you can see what’s behind you more clearly.
Honda’s proprietary body structure, known as Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM), improves frontal crash compatibility and occupant protection.
In This Article...
Are Honda drivers 4WD or AWD?
But if you’re like the majority of SUV aficionados in the Culver City area, you might be asking, “Does the Honda Pilot have AWD? Two-wheel drive is standard on the Honda Pilot, but you may upgrade to the Intelligent Variable Torque ManagementTM All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System, which offers improved traction and
FWD or AWD is the Honda Pilot.
The Pilot is a large crossover SUV that can accommodate up to eight people. All-wheel drive (AWD) is an option on most variants, with front-wheel drive (FWD) being the default. The two top model levels come equipped with AWD as standard.
Invest in the Pilot LX or EX if you want cloth seats. Leather is standard on the Pilot’s EX-L grade. The new Special Edition, which costs nearly $40,000, includes the well-known blacked-out appearance and larger 20-inch wheels.
Starting with the Touring level, rear-seat entertainment is a standard feature. The Pilot Elite is the SUV’s most opulent model, while the top-tier Black Edition includes unique red interior elements and ambient lighting along with blacked-out trim and wheels.
2011 Honda Pilots come in 4WD or AWD.
All Pilot models are available with an all-wheel-drive system, which automatically distributes power to the rear wheels — up to 70% of the available power — when front slippage occurs. Front-wheel drive is standard on all Pilot models.
2008 Honda Pilots come in 4WD or AWD.
One of the earliest crossover vehicles with three rows of seating was the Honda Pilot, which debuted in 2002 as a 2003 model. The Pilot was significantly lighter, more carlike, and offered higher fuel efficiency than its body-on-frame rivals thanks to its construction on a unibody chassis shared with the Odyssey minivan and loosely based on the Accord.
We gave the Pilot a 5Best Trucks distinction for large sport-utility vehicles from 2003 to 2007 in honor of its all-around excellence. The Pilot finally dropped off the list for 2008 in favor of the more modern and athletic Mazda CX-9. Even so, the Pilot provides a pleasurable driving experience, class-leading performance, and sufficient interior room for eight passengers plus goods. A familiar 3.5-liter V-6 engine from Honda with 244 horsepower and cylinder deactivation powers all Pilots. However, EPA fuel economy estimates for a two-wheel-drive Pilot are a somewhat inefficient 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, and 15/20 for four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The Pilot, now in its sixth model year, feels a little out of date in a world of more modern three-row crossover vehicles. It’s fortunate that the present Pilot will be replaced for the 2009 model year.
There are four trim levels (VP, EX, SE, and EX-L) for the 2008 Pilot, and each one offers both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Buick Enclave, the Dodge Journey, the Ford Explorer, the Ford Taurus X, the GMC Acadia, the Hyundai, the Jeep Commander, the Mazda CX-9, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Saturn Outlook, and the Toyota Highlander are rivals for the three-row SUV market share with the Honda Pilot.
The Pilot is a great SUV with carlike handling that can tow up to eight people and their belongings with ease. In spite of the competition imitating the Pilot’s strategy and eventually catching up during the last six years, the Pilot continues to provide three-row comfort for under $30,000.
What distinguishes 4WD from all-wheel drive?
In contrast to AWD, 4WD locks the front and rear driveshafts together while still sending power to both the front and rear axles. This indicates that the power applied to the two axles is equal. As a result, the car has more traction when driving off-road in muddy, snowy, or sandy conditions.
What drives the Honda Pilot 4WD?
The i-VTM4 AWD system comprises two electro-hydraulically actuated clutch packs, one for each rear wheel, allowing for the independent application of different amounts of torque to each rear wheel. The outcome is a more accurate reaction to traction loss and improved stability when you need it most.
Is AWD preferable to FWD?
Vehicles with all-wheel drive have more traction than those with front-wheel drive since each wheel is powered. Three other tires can help to regain traction if one tire starts to slide. Similar explanations explain why all-wheel-drive vehicles often accelerate more quickly than front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Can the Honda Pilot’s AWD be disabled?
All Honda Pilots come equipped by default with the VTM-4. By holding down the VTM-4 lock button for two seconds, you can turn it off. By pushing a different button, you can, however, change the power allocation to the front or rear wheels.
While stopped, you can also switch the drive selector lever from “park” to “drive” and back again, or you can turn the car off and start it again.
In addition to the VTM-4, Honda also offers the Realtime AWD and i-VTM all-wheel-drive systems. To prevent becoming stuck while driving on slick surfaces, these are also crucial.
In snow, is 4WD or AWD preferable?
While many people mistakenly believe that AWD is sufficient to handle treacherous ice and snow, there is essentially no difference between vehicles with AWD and regular cars when it comes to steering, braking, and handling in wintery conditions.
People who believe AWD and four-wheel drive (commonly abbreviated as 4WD or 4X4) systems are fundamentally the same thing are surprised by this. They don’t.
In contrast to AWD systems’ ability to adjust, 4WD systems equally distribute power to all four wheels, regardless of traction. One of the primary differences between AWD and 4WD is this always-on power. Contrary to popular belief, tires alone—not even 4WD—create traction. 4WD could not be sufficient to maintain control of the vehicle if the tires are traction-limited (either by design or due to severe wear).
How do you start a Honda Pilot with all-wheel drive?
Allow the VTM-4’s auto mode to take control of the situation if you frequently travel through gently to moderately difficult terrain in your Honda Pilot.
However, it would be a good idea to engage the VTM-4 Lock if you come across a slick uphill slope, deep snow, mud, or other more challenging terrains. You must adhere to the guidelines listed below to accomplish this:
- Your Honda Pilot must be completely stopped or traveling at no more than 18 mph (30 km/h).
- First, second, or reverse gear must be selected with the shift lever.
- Between the radio and the driver’s instrument panel, press the “VTM-4 Lock” button.
- Your Pilot will use all four wheels more aggressively to tackle the terrain once the “VMT-4 Lock” button’s indication light is on.
Honda cautions VTM-4 Lock users not to spin the front tires for more than a few seconds when one or more tires have little or no grip. To help get more velocity and traction, the driver should if necessary also attempt going forward and backward and slowly wriggling the front tires.
Honda further states that VTM-4 Lock is inappropriate for dry, cemented roads. The rear differential may be harmed if the VTM-4 Lock is used for an extended period of time on such terrain, especially when the car is turning.
The 2013 Honda Pilot always has 4WD, right?
The Honda Pilot has made the decision to deviate from the existing crossover category styling. The Pilot has evolved into a boxier, more SUV-like vehicle over time, in contrast to other three-row family wagons like the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Chevrolet Traverse.
Although we have some quibbles with the Pilot’s fit and finish, features, and equipment, it is still a tried-and-true crossover with a noteworthy interior package and a great drivetrain.
The 2013 Pilot is still one of the better options, particularly if your family avoids minivans but requires a big interior and three rows of seating. A particularly roomy cabin and outstanding versatility are produced by the body’s overt boxiness, which is ideal for the hectic weekend hauling needs. However, the Pilot is able to combine the best aspects of both worlds because to its car-like unibody architecture, which is structurally strengthened by some of an SUV’s advantages.
The famous 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission in the Pilot maintain the brand’s reputation for smoothness, responsiveness, and pleasant sounding engines. It is one of the most fuel-efficient three-row vehicles with its current EPA highway ratings of up to 25 mpg.
Once you get over the shock of the high driving position, you’ll notice that the handling is quite sharp and the maneuverability is good. Although the optional four-wheel-drive (really all-wheel drive) system has a Lock mode and excels in deep snow or mud, the ride quality is on the hard side. Towing capacity for four-wheel-drive vehicles is 4,500 pounds.
The Pilot has consistently scored highly in terms of safety, and in addition to the standard array of security measures, it has side-curtain bags that cover all three rows. All models come equipped with a rearview camera system for 2013, which improves visibility, which can be a problem in the blocky, tall Pilot.
LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring are the four available trim levels for the 2013 Honda Pilot. All four are available in 2WD or 4WD, but in order to access many of the most enticing choices and convenience features, you must upgrade to one of the top two trims.
The less expensive LX and EX versions are better values and don’t have price overlaps with some luxury cars like the top-of-the-line Limited models do. They consist of a seven-speaker sound system, cruise control, keyless entry, and rear air conditioning. A key barrier to broader sales success is the fact that features like leather upholstery, a Bluetooth hands-free interface, USB/iPod connectivity, a power tailgate, and a navigation system are still only available on the EX-L and Touring models.