2021 Honda Pilot

Pros: Impressive selection of available comfort and safety features; Outstanding space efficiency provides ample passenger and cargo room; Excellent driving manners and fuel efficiency for a vehicle its size.

Cons: Touchscreen controls can be finicky; Third-row seat can be a bit tricky to access.

CG Says: All models of the 2021 Honda Pilot now have a 9-speed automatic transmission. Previously, only high-end Touring, Elite, and Black Edition models had the 9-speed auto. The rest made due with a 6-speed automatic. There is also a new SE model that adds a hands-free power liftgate, wireless cell-phone charging, and black alloy wheels to the EX-L. Honda’s midsize, 3-row, crossover SUV was refreshed for 2019 and redesigned in 2016. The “Honda Sensing” group of safety technology features (adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and Road Departure Mitigation) is standard on all Pilots. Available features include hands-free power liftgate; 4G Wi-Fi; CabinTalk, an in-car P.A. system that enables the driver to talk to rear-seat passengers through the available entertainment system’s headphones or rear speakers; and CabinControl, a smartphone app that allows rear-seat passengers to control rear climate and entertainment-system functions. The sound system now has a volume knob in place of an unpopular vertical virtual slider. Pilot has three rows of seats and can seat up to eight passengers. Power is provided by a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, which is paired with 9-speed automatic transmission. All trims levels are available with front- or all-wheel drive except the line-topping Elite and Black Edition models, which are AWD only. If you need to move a lot of people and stuff and aren’t interested in a minivan, the Pilot is one of the best family haulers around.