Road Beat: 2020 Honda Pilot Black Edition

Remember minivans? Now think about this for a moment: how many new minivans do you see on the road? In my youth, it seemed like every third car on the road was a people carrier. In 2020 I hardly see any brand-new ones, and the answer seems to be that minivan buyers simply switched to SUVs instead. Maybe it’s because they’re simply uncool and became a cliché of new parents. Regardless of the reason, what if there was a vehicle that is a marriage of both? Enter the Pilot.

This Pilot Black Edition is, you guessed it, black, and lots of it. The wheels are black, the interior is black (albeit with red perforated seat inserts), and so are the exterior trim pieces. It’s the Black Edition, in case you forgot, and if you did, there’s a pretentiously large Black Edition badge adorning the tailgate. Black is normally a slimming color, but that rule seems to be thrown out. It’s less a tailored tuxedo look and more like Patrick Dempsey going to a Halloween party in an emo teenager costume.

The Pilot is just a bit shapeless and wayward in execution. With no pronounced proportions, it just kind of is. The hood is too short, the distance between the dash and front axle is non-existent, and the rear is far too bulbous. As a result, it definitely looks more van than SUV. By no means an ugly car, there appears to be no real inspiration in the design, especially when there are great-looking competing SUV alternatives. If you told me it was styled after a mango, I’d believe you. The front grille section is nicely done, though, to somewhat save it.

Interior space is huge in the front and rear. I like the front folding arm rests for your right elbow when driving. Everything inside is put together well, but the materials leave a little to be desired at over $50,000. Yes, this Pilot costs just over 50 large. The outright quality of the leather and all the furnishings and trim pieces pale in comparison to a Highlander Limited or Mazda CX-9. The leather has a texture to it, too, which you might like or dislike, but still feels rubbery and cheaper in contrast to those key rivals. The red seat inserts do look nice, doing favors to break up an otherwise dark and unexciting interior.

The infotainment is easy enough to use and has all the normal bells and whistles, like CarPlay and Android Auto, but it seems tiny. In fact, it is, having only half the surface area of the Highlander’s 12-inch unit. It does win on rear seat space and third row space, though, with cubbies galore. The ungainly design does reap rewards in outright space, but it all just feels like a class lower than those it needs to compete with.

Of course, this one has all the safety systems you’d come to expect in 2020, and the second row has a rear entertainment system for young ones. These have become more useless as the age of the iPad and smartphone has taken over amongst kids. An obligatory large moonroof lets in extra light to make the cabin feel even larger. However, on a hot 90+ degree day, between the black paint and interior, it did turn into an oven when parked in the sun.

Settled behind the wheel, the driving position feels too high and too forward, kind of like a minivan. The throttle is strangely heavy, too. This makes the Pilot feel slow in normal driving, but slow the Pilot is not. Put your foot through the pedal’s long and heavy travel and an orchestra awakes in front of you. The 3.5L, 280 horsepower V6, with Honda’s proprietary and defining VTEC, makes beautiful noises above 5,000 RPM and races for the redline. The 9-speed automatic works just fine, but improves with snappy, full-throttle upshifts. 0-60 is handled in 6.5 seconds, besting the V6 Highlander, and also taking the crown in 50-70 at 3.5 seconds and 4.7 seconds uphill, a strong showing up the slopes. The Pilot then is no slouch, and it’s the Pilot’s main party trick for sure. It’s just odd they made the throttle so weighty, because you really need to dig deep with your foot to reveal this charismatic and powerful motor.

Around corners, the Pilot is not at home, feeling like the large barge that it is behind the wheel. You can argue that a vehicle like this is not designed nor meant to be corner enthusiasts, but a Highlander has sharper reflexes and responds with more control. The ride quality is fine, but could be better still, especially given how much body roll occurs on a curving freeway onramp. Don’t expect this to be driven in the sporty fashion that the aggressive all-black look might suggest.

Fuel economy from the potent V6 is fair, but then again, the new Highlander is a class-leader for naturally aspirated V6s. Where the Highlander achieved 30 on level freeway, the Pilot mustered 27. In a trip up Highway 5 and back for 250 miles, the Pilot only managed 25, albeit at the higher 75 MPH that Highway 5 is normal for. It was quiet for the trip at freeway speeds at least, and the front chairs provided great comfort and support for the duration.

The Pilot then, for a mainstream car, finds itself in an odd niche. It’s less SUV and more minivan, but if you wanted a minivan, you can still buy a minivan. And if you want a spacious SUV, I’d suggest a Highlander or Telluride/Palisade. But, for those that want the in-between, the Pilot has got that segment cornered. The Pilot is a good car, let’s be certain of that, but in the age of new rivals and refreshed longtime foes, it is simply outclassed. And here’s a tip: save a little and buy the Elite trim instead. Of, if you don’t need the space, the Passport

Honda Pilot Black Edition
As-Tested Price: $50,715
3/5
Pros: Wonderful V6 power, best third-row space in class
Cons: Outclassed and outdriven by rivals, too much minivan
Verdict: A minivan for those who don’t want