2016 Honda Pilot: First Drive

What is it: 2016 Honda Pilot eight-passenger SUV

Price range: $29,995 — $46,420

Competitors: Toyota Highlander, Chevy Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder

Alternatives: Honda Odyssey, Acura MDX

Pros: The redesigned Pilot is a little bit bigger, but not as boxy as older models, making it feel more a part of the Honda family than some weird distant cousin. It gets better fuel economy, makes more power, and comes with better safety systems and driver aids, like adaptive cruise control.

Cons: It may look sporty, but it doesn’t drive that way. But does anyone really expect a family SUV to drive like a sports car?

Would I buy it with my own money? Yes. The Pilot has less room than the Traverse, and isn’t as sporty as, say, the Ford Explorer. But for families with kids, its combination of comfort and versatility finds the right path.

Honda touts its all-new 2016 Pilot as one of the most capable and stylish people haulers in the mid-size SUV category. And the basics remain true: The third-generation Pilot can transport mom, dad, and up to six children/grandparents/entourage members and a great deal of belongings in relative comfort and safety.

But that’s nothing new; Honda’s real challenge lay in how to improve against a brace of popular competitors. First, it has more of what made the Pilot a capable family transport in the first place: room, comfort, and clever storage. Toss in a sportier look, more technology, safety systems, and better fuel economy and you have a vehicle that’s a large step forward.