The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

2008 Honda Pilot Adds Value Package and Special Edition to Lineup


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD

SEE ALSO: Honda Buyers Guide

Torrance, Calif, September 10, 2007; The 2008 Honda Pilot offers traditional SUV versatility with eight-passenger seating in a refined and comfortable package that also achieves the highest five-star crash safety rating by the federal government for both frontal and side impacts1, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Pilot as a "Top Safety Pick - 2007."

For 2008, a Value Package (VP) and a Special Edition (SE) have become available. The well-equipped Pilot VP replaces the Pilot LX in the lineup and the premium Pilot SE package adds to the features of the Pilot EX, which remains in the lineup.

The Value Package adds rear privacy glass, machined alloy wheels, XM® Satellite Radio, upgraded audio including a 6-disc CD changer with three additional speakers (including a subwoofer), steering-wheel mounted audio controls, roof rails, and body-colored door mirrors, door handles and rear spoiler. The Special Edition adds features to the Pilot EX and includes a DVD rear entertainment system, XM® Satellite Radio, moonroof, 115-volt power outlet and ambient console lighting.

"The new variations for the 2008 Pilot create an ideal lineup," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As with all Honda Value Packages and Special Editions, the included features represent a tremendous value."

All 2008 Honda Pilots are available with either two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD). Pilots with 2WD feature a 3.5-liter, i-VTEC® V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) for enhanced fuel efficiency. Variable Cylinder Management deactivates three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising and deceleration. An "ECO" indicator light illuminates on the instrument panel when the vehicle is operating at an optimal level of fuel efficiency.

In keeping with the Honda "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all Pilots are equipped with standard anti-lock brakes; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control; brake assist; advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags; front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and three-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor. A tire pressure monitoring system is also standard.

Standard comfort and convenience features on all Pilots include air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locks, cruise control, keyless entry, 60/40 split three-passenger second row seat and a 60/40 split three-passenger third row seat. For child seats, the second row has two outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) attachment points and second and third row seats have child seat anchor tethers.

Available premium features include the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition and a 7-inch screen, and a Honda DVD Entertainment

System with a 9-inch screen. A rear-view camera is standard on vehicles with the navigation system to aid rear visibility.

An independent front and rear suspension and a rigid unit body structure help provide a comfortable and refined ride. Additional premium chassis components include power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes, variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season P235/70 R16 tires.

Two-wheel-drive Pilots achieve an EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 16/22 mpg2. Vehicles equipped with VCM use both an audio system-based Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system and a chassis-based Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) system to cancel noise and vibration that can occur during cylinder deactivation. The 3.5-liter all-aluminum SOHC i-VTEC engine produces 244 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 240 lb-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm.

Four-wheel drive Pilots receive a 3.5-liter all-aluminum, SOHC, VTEC engine (no VCM) and produce 244 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 240 lb-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. The EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy is 15/20 mpg2 for 4WD models.

The fully-automatic VTM-4 system provides confident, decision-free operation in rain, snow, ice, sand and mud, while also improving on-road and towing performance by distributing torque to all four wheels as needed. The system provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement cruising conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed. The VSA system can apply braking force to a wheel with low traction and direct driving force to the wheel with more traction. For the rear differential, a "VTM-4" lock button located on the instrument panel allows the driver to temporarily hold engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction while in gears "1" and "2."

The Pilot is assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama, using domestic and globally-sourced parts.

1 Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).

2 Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2008 Honda Pilot Prices and EPA Data September 10, 2007 -- Torrance, Calif. --

2008 Honda Pilot Prices and EPA Data
Model Transmission MSRP EPA
City/Hwy.*
Pilot Value Package (2WD) 5-Speed Automatic $27,595 16/22
Pilot Value Package (4WD) 5-Speed Automatic $28,995 15/20
Pilot EX (2WD) 5-Speed Automatic $29,745 16/22
Pilot EX (4WD) 5-Speed Automatic $31,145 15/20
Pilot Special Edition (2WD) 5-Speed Automatic $31,595 16/22
Pilot Special Edition (4WD) 5-Speed Automatic $32,995 15/20
Pilot EX-L (2WD) 5-Speed Automatic $32,045 16/22
Pilot EX-L (4WD) 5-Speed Automatic $33,445 15/20
Pilot EX-L and Rear Entertainment System (2WD) 5-Speed Automatic $33,645 16/22
Pilot EX-L and Rear Entertainment System (4WD) 5-Speed Automatic $35,045 15/20
Pilot EX-L and Navigation System (2WD) 5-Speed Automatic $34,245 16/22
Pilot EX-L and Navigation System (4WD) 5-Speed Automatic $35,645 15/20
Destination and Handling Charge is $635 per vehicle.
*Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.