Press Release
2009 Honda Pilot: Interior
The interior of the Honda Pilot is designed to provide a comfortable experience for all passengers in business class style. For 2009, the key areas of improvement concentrate on increasing spaciousness, knee room, general comfort and accessibility while maintaining the optimal mid-size SUV exterior. The design goal of the interior was to create best-in-class functionality that truly sets it apart from the competitive set. A 2.9-inch longer and 1.0-inch-wider exterior contributes to an additional 4.1 cubic feet of space inside (EX-L), with much of that space resulting in greater practicality for the 2nd row, 3rd row and cargo area. Some of the latest technology and features from Honda culminate in a new Touring edition that includes the newest generation of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink™ mobile phone connectivity, available DVD entertainment system with DTS surround sound, a power tailgate and more. A rearview camera is standard on the Pilot EX-L and Pilot Touring models.
Styling-wise, a functional, strong and intelligent design theme emanates from a massive-looking, wide center stack using clean, crisp lines and a combination of richly textured surfaces. The instrument panel intelligently organizes switchgear into zones for audio, climate controls and navigation (if equipped). An interface dial, similar to the one used in the Honda Accord, is used to control the navigation system on the Pilot Touring.
Interior Summary
- Eight-passenger seating with improved comfort and more practical cargo utilization
- Enhanced appearance with high quality materials and well-organized storage areas
- Total interior volume up by 4.1 cubic feet to 174.5 cubic feet
- Leg room up by 1.1 inches in second row, 1.9 inches in third row
- Third-row seating more spacious and can better accommodate adult-sized occupants
- Cargo area behind third row holds larger items like medium-sized coolers and strollers
- Available premium features include the latest Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System technology and DVD video playback with surround sound
Interior Key Dimensions, 2009 Pilot vs. 2008 Pilot
| 2009 Pilot | 2008 Pilot | Change from 2008 | |
|
Passenger Volume LX/EX-L (cu-ft.) |
153.7 / 152.7 | 153.0 / 148.5 | +0.7 / +4.2 |
| Cargo Volume behind 1st/2nd/3rd rows (cu-ft.) | 87.0 / 47.7 / 20.8* | 87.6 / 47.6 / 17.4 | -0.6 / +0.1 / +3.4 |
|
Headroom LX, EX EX-L, Touring |
40.0 / 39.8 / 38.2 39.3 / 39.8 / 38.2 |
41.9 / 40.1 / 38.6 39.5 / 39.1 / 38.6 |
-1.9 / -0.3 / -0.4 -0.2 / +0.7 / -0.4 |
| Shoulder Room | 61.5 / 62.2 / 58.9 | 61.6 / 61.4 / 59.7 | -0.1 / +0.8 / -0.8 |
| Hip Room 1st/2nd/3rd rows (in.) | 58.6 / 56.9 / 48.4 | 57.5 / 56.6 / 49.0 | +1.1 / +0.3 / -0.6 |
| Legroom 1st/2nd/3rd (in.) | 41.4 / 38.5 / 32.1 | 41.4 / 37.4 / 30.2 | 0.0 / +1.1 / +1.9 |
| Center Console Storage (cu-ft.) | 0.53 | 0.36 | + 0.17 |
* Includes 2.8 cu-ft. inside the underfloor hidden storage well (2008 model =1.5 cu-ft.). The underfloor storage well can be fully combined with the above-floor storage by securing the cargo lid to the third row seatback.
New Interior Features
- Instrument panel-mounted shifter
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
- Auxiliary audio input
- Humidity control (as part of standard A/C)
- Radio Data System (RDS)
- Rearview camera (EX-L and Touring)
- Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® (Touring)
- Driver’s seat power lumbar support (EX, EX-L and Touring)
- USB jack for iPod and MP3 playback (Touring)
- Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES) with DTS Surround Sound (available EX-L, Touring)
- Standard 7-speaker audio system with subwoofer, available 10-speaker audio system (standard with RES)
Interior Styling
Honda designers used the three-dimensionally beveled lines of an ultra-rugged laptop computer as inspiration for the active and intelligent design theme. The concept provided the basis for the Pilot’s unique blend of sporty, functional and fun interior and exterior design elements. In keeping with conventional Honda design philosophy of “man maximum, machine minimum,” Honda designers sought to provide Pilot owners with the largest possible interior space while optimizing the exterior size for improved driveability, garageability and efficiency. Like all Honda vehicles, the Pilot interior is designed with world-class levels of refinement, comfort and ease-of-use (ergonomics). Controls are designed to be simple and functional with minimal complexity. Gauges, switches and warning lights are carefully positioned and well labeled for intuitive use. Every aspect of the vehicle’s interior is optimized to provide an enjoyable and relaxing driving experience.
Clever Storage and Packaging
Flexible SUV cargo carrying capability is highlighted by 60/40 split second and third row bench seats that fold flat into the floor. Clever and thoughtful storage areas throughout instrument panel, center console and doors provide convenient access for items as small as sunglasses and mobile phones to larger items like purses and beverage containers of varied sizes. The extra large center console, which is up to two times larger by volume than most consoles in the segment, provides generous space for personal items.
The Pilot provides four Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) positions – whereas most vehicles in the segment can attach only two. The cargo area behind the third row has 25 percent more space so large items like a medium-sized cooler or a collapsed baby stroller can easily fit inside without having to fold the seat.
Versatile and Accommodating Eight-Passenger Seating
For maximum versatility, the Pilot is equipped with three rows of seats – two front bucket seats and two rows of three-person bench seats. The second- and third-row seats are split 60/40 and can be individually folded flat in one simple motion to handle anywhere from one to eight occupants and a variety of cargo shapes. The Pilot’s seats are designed to provide every occupant with a commanding outside view, comfortable seating position, and easy vehicle ingress and egress. The first and second-row seats are designed to fit occupants up to a 99th percentile adult male. The third row is optimized to accommodate a 95th percentile adult male.
First and second row outboard seats feature height adjustable seatbelt anchors. Second- and third-row seats utilize ceiling-mounted retractable shoulder belts in the center seating position. When in use, the shoulder belt attaches to a special receiver in the lap belt anchor. When not in use, the shoulder belt retracts snugly into a special ceiling fixture, providing for an open and unobstructed cargo space when the seats are not in use.
To ensure a high level of visibility and comfort for all passengers, the Pilot features theater-style second- and third-row seats and a large, glassy greenhouse with excellent outward visibility (273 degrees). Paying special attention to the comfort of third-row passengers, the third-row seats are approximately two inches higher than the first-row seats to allow for excellent forward visibility and a comfortable seating position. Second-row seats are raised about one-half inch over the front row for improved visibility.
