I love that I get to try new cars and I’m always looking for a suitable replacement for our modest family car, a 2015 Ford Focus.

The 2019 Honda Pilot Touring was admittedly not on my list of eye-catching family-sized SUVs. From the outside, it seems solid, attractive enough, but not stop-in-your-tracks jaw-dropping gorgeous. However, as soon as I opened the door, I was pleasantly surprised. Well no, that’s an understatement, I was amazed. Now all I can see is a truly excellent vehicle that I’d love to own.

Let’s start off with the inside. It’s spacious and feels premium. The gears have satisfying buttons to press in a layout that is pretty intuitive. The seats are large enough while still feeling supportive and comfortable for longer drives, and the entertainment system is awesome. As well as the Sirius Radio (which I wish I had in my own car), it has a rear entertainment system, including a blu-ray player and internet accessible programming. It also came with two sets of wireless headphones for the screen, so the driver doesn’t have to listen to another viewing of Frozen.

It has 7 available seats, but I chose to put the back row down for extra luggage space. The middle row has armrests on each seat (love this) and also has access to climate controls for their own area. The leg room is ample and I was able to fully stretch out without feeling cramped at all.

The Pilot is an easy car to drive. It’s light enough to steer though still feels solid. The cabin is quiet while driving and you can barely hear the engine starting up after stopping to save fuel if you’re in Eco Mode. More than anything, comfort is key in this car. Everything you need is right there within an arm’s reach. I’d be more than happy to drive this for long road trips for either business or pleasure and am sure it would remain a joy to speed along in.

Here are some of the technical specs from Honda:

• 9-speed automatic transmission
• Third row access made simple and easy by the available One-Touch Walk-In feature.
• A hands-free power tailgate is available for the first time on Touring and Black Edition trims. With the remote key fob in their pocket or handbag, the driver simply kicks their foot under a designated area of the rear bumper. The tailgate then opens without the owner needing to use their hands–very useful for occasions when their hands are full. 
• Audio touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ integration.
• The Rear Entertainment System includes a fun, kid-friendly, puppet-themed “How Much Farther?” app. It functions as a “flight tracker” with a colorful on-screen animated marionette play that counts down time and distance to the destination that has been set into the navigation system. Multiple backgrounds with animation give the app a fun feel that’s engaging for children.
• CabinTalk™ in-car PA is included on Pilot Touring and Black Edition trims with navigation and rear-seat entertainment. Using the HandsFreeLink microphone, it allows those in the front row to easily communicate to those in the second and third rows using the rear speakers, wireless headphones, or both. CabinTalk in-car PA is activated using the Display Audio touchscreen. When the CabinTalk in-car PA is in use, Blu-ray video appearing on the Rear Entertainment System is automatically paused and audio is muted (non-Blu-ray content can be muted only). Audio and video automatically resumes when it is closed. 

In short, it’s a great car and one that I would very much consider for our next family car. It’s got a great height from the road, which gave me excellent visibility, it’s economical with it’s Eco Mode (which can be turned off for nippier driving), and looks really nice.

Next, we’re going to take it up and over the mountains for an Easter trip to the farm. Stay tuned to my Instagram @JamesRCS for updates!

***UPDATE***

We successfully took it on an 800 km roundtrip over the Easter long weekend and loved it. My wife and daughter had plenty of space in the back and were entertained by the Blu-ray player. It was an easy-drive and had lots of power for overtaking the trucks, even on the uphills.

The turning circle is surprisingly small and it’s easy to park. There is lots of luggage room when you put the back two (of 7) seats down, which is a great relief when packing for a family trip. It had automatic headlights and wipers for when the weather turned for the worse and even in the downpours on the mountain pass, the Pilot stuck to the road with the mud and snow tires.

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Disclaimer: Thank you to Honda Canada for loaning me this vehicle in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and photos are my own.