2018 vs. 2019 Honda Pilot
Comparison between 2018 and 2019 Honda Pilot
1. Exterior Design
The change on the exterior of the 2019 Honda Pilot can be said to be quite minor and not major. This is certainly related to the planned redesign in the year 2019. But the changes that exist in the Honda Pilot are quite effective to further enhance the modern impression and premium.
The aggressive styling of the Honda Pilot is completed with LED headlights. This stylish headlamp not only emits brighter light, but it has also been equipped with auto on/off features, so the driver does not have to worry about forgetting to turn off the lights and end up with a dead battery.
1.3. Upgraded LED headlights
The first thing that stands out in the brand-new Pilot is its chrome grille. The front fascia does not look much different overall, but the new grille gives the crossover a bit of upscale flavor. The chrome grille is standard on every trim except for the Elite and Black Edition models, which receive a blacked-out grille.
For 2019, the Honda Pilot has indeed gone through some alterations in exterior bodywork, and the most obvious can be seen at a glance on the front side, which looks more bold, aggressive, and modern than the previous version. The all-new 2019 Honda Pilot has a new headlamp with LED.
1.1. Sleek and modern styling
1.1. Sleek and Modern Styling
Varying the angle and thickness of the pillars to improve visibility, a critical attribute for an SUV, the design is functional as well. The front-end of the Pilot has been completely restyled. Major components such as headlights, bumper, and grille are all new and lend a more modern and substantial feel to the overall design. The change is most evident in the grille, which has moved away from the 3 horizontal bar design of the previous generation, to a modern "flying wing" layout. Lower trims will feature a black painted version of the grille while the EX and above trims will receive a version with tasteful chrome accents. Overall the new design represents a dramatic departure from the outgoing model and will surely help to make the 2019 Pilot more memorable to customers. Moving on from the grille, it is hard not to notice that the 2019 Pilot gets key design changes to the headlights and taillights. The front headlights now incorporate LED daytime running lights, and higher trims get LED bulbs for the low and high beams as well. This is a major upgrade from the previous generation where LED lighting was only available on the top Elite trim. Not only does it improve the aesthetics of the vehicle, but also LED lighting has the benefits of lower power consumption and superior illumination. This model year, the Pilot also sees the return of the much coveted physical position of the gear selector from push button back to a more traditional shifter. On a final note, a fantastic exterior color dubbed "Black Forest Pearl" will be available on all trims. This color has been popular with the current Accord and CR-V models.
1.2. Enhanced Front Grille
The grille is an important feature of a car as it gives off a lot about the overall feel of the car. The 2019 Honda Pilot has a more commanding presence and a more aggressive stance as opposed to the 2018 Honda Pilot. This is evident with its larger, aggressive grille that is reminiscent of the refreshed ninth generation Honda Accord. As you can see from the images above, the 2019 grille has more chrome trim on the outer edges and the main highlight is a thick bar that goes across the top. At the bottom of the grille, the bumper has also been redesigned and it features a chrome strip above the reshaped lower air intake. This is compared to 2018, which has the lower air intake that looks to be sticking out more, with a thinner and taller orientation to the grille, which doesn't look as sleek compared to 2019. With this change to the grille, it is safe to say that this has been a strong upgrade, following lots of negative feedback regarding the previous design. It looks like Honda put a lot of emphasis into making the grille look right.
1.3. Upgraded LED Headlights
The 2019 Honda Pilot comes with new headlight designs that are more interesting than the 2018 version. You may find it looks not really different, but the 2019 version has upgraded LED lights that give you better visibility. In driving, the illumination is very important for the driver to keep the path. No one wants to take the dark-broken road with poor illumination right? Honda Motor Company knows about that and the 2019 Pilot is available with a series of headlights that make you easier to see and be seen! The 2019 Pilot is new upgraded featured with the LED low-beam headlights with Auto-On/Off and Wiper-Activated Headlights. These headlights give you better visibility in the night driving and help the other drivers on opposite way to see your car clearly. With these headlights, don't worry anymore to take the poor illumination path since it can increase your confidence while driving. This LED low-beam headlights are available starting from the EX trim until the Elite trim. While for the Touring and Elite trims, there are also available the LED front-row map lights. LED front-row map lights are designed with modern looks that are placed to the both right and left front sides of the car. These lights can be used to find something behind the dashboard in the night driving because it provides you the decent illumination. These LED lights can be activated manually by pressing the button nearby the lights. Because of these features, now you have no more lost small items around the dashboard in the night and the child can read the book in the night without disturbing your driving. So, don't be surprised if you feel the 2018 Honda Pilot with the same headlights but it has the excessive price than the 2019 version.
2. Interior Features
The 2019 Honda Pilot offers a very spacious and comfortable cabin, boasting 153.1 cubic feet of passenger volume and best-in-class second and third row space. The eight-passenger seating is standard on all trims, with the option of swapping the second row bench for two captain's chairs on the Touring and Elite trims. The second row walkway has been widened by 1.7 inches and the cargo area is 2.9 inches longer than the previous model, greatly aiding the ease of access to the third row. In comparison, the 2018 Pilot provides a similar, if slightly more cramped, interior experience. With 152.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, it is certainly no slouch, and is available in seven or eight passenger configurations based upon trim level. The third row is accessible via the available single button middle row sliding seats and the tri-zone climate control helps keep everyone comfortable. While still an impressive option, the third generation of the Pilot offers a more spacious and refined trip for the driver and passengers.
2.1. Spacious and Comfortable Cabin
Another important addition to the 2019 model is refinements in the soundproofing. Honda claims it has added soundproofing to every part of the vehicle, and it is noticeable once you are in the driver's seat. While driving, the vehicle definitely feels more insulated from the road and wind noise than the 2018 model. This is confirmed by the engineers as they have used acoustic pinched welds, better door and window seals, and a more flexible soundproof material. These changes result in less noise intrusion when conversing in the cabin and also a clearer audio experience when using the infotainment system. This leads us nicely into the next topic.
The cabin in last year's model was already quite roomy, and this year's model has taken it up a notch with captain's chairs available for the 2nd row of seats. This change effectively puts the seating capacity at 7 and makes it more comfortable to sit in the 3rd row. Similar to the comparative models for 2018, the 2019 Pilot offers a tri-zone climate control system so that the driver, front, and rear passengers can adjust the climate to their individual preference. This feature is available from the EX model and up.
2.2. Advanced Infotainment System
Though it is not a list item, and that the potential customers may give somewhat attention to it, we feel it is important to note the improved climate control system in the 2019 design. The 3-zone climate control system, giving drivers, front-seat passengers, and rear-seat passengers independent climate controls, now includes humidity control and a dew point sensor, automatically stopping windshield fogging. The 2019 Pilot includes a CabinTalk in-car PA system so the driver can communicate with rear-seat passengers using the rear entertainment system's headphones. This system overrides the rear audio system (and the rear passenger's connected Bluetooth devices) and plays through the rear speakers and the wired or wireless headphones connected to the rear entertainment system. This combined with an auxiliary input jack and 12-volt power outlets in the front, second row and cargo area keep tech bound families of all screen sizes plugged in, even though the young ones want to listen to music and the adults want some peace and quiet. The feature proves to be an all-around upgrade compared to the previous Pilot model, and even more so compared to the same Honda Odyssey competitor.
2.3. Premium Upholstery Options
The second row captain's chairs for the Pilot Elite is unique feature in the segment. Some consumers prefer this configuration over a bench seat, especially if they have older children or carpool frequently. captain's chairs and a console. The Pathfinder offers a similar feature but only with the tow package on the highest trim and this significantly increases the price. Completing the premium interior, the Pilot Elite comes with a panoramic roof and power driver and passenger seat thigh extension. This is an expansive roof that extends all the way to the 3rd row seats. This is a feature that no other competing vehicles offer. The thigh extension is also a unique feature that is only available on the premium luxury vehicles in the Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus brands.
Ventilated seating is a premium luxury that is usually only available on luxury vehicles or top end trims. By providing this feature standard on the Pilot Elite, Honda offers a unique option in the segment. This may attract consumers to the Elite trim even though they may not need AWD but desire this feature. The only comparable vehicle option comes from the Nissan Pathfinder but it is more expensive because this feature is tied into the premium package and cannot be purchased separately.
The theatre of premium contrast stitching and soft-touch dash and door materials is one of the finer points on the new Pilot interior. This elegant touch is available on all trims. This contrasts the 2018 Pilot that has leather-trimmed seating that looks more or less the same throughout the trims. This elegant touch is available on all trims. This contrasts the 2018 Pilot that has leather-trimmed seating that looks more or less the same throughout the trims.
Coherent to the table of contents, this section provides a detailed analysis of the premium seating options that are available on both the 2018 and 2019 Pilots. This discussion also reinforces the main concept that the new 2019 Pilot introduces premium seating options for consumers who were previously not able to afford the highest level trims. This provides a new opportunity for this consumer set to afford premium options at a more affordable rate. This discussion also reinforces the main concept that the new 2019 Pilot introduces premium seating options for consumers who were previously not able to afford the highest level trims. This provides a new opportunity for this consumer set to afford premium options at a more affordable rate.
The seating surfaces inside the 2019 Pilot have also been updated. Leather-trimmed seating is standard for the new Pilot EX-L and available for the LX. The Touring and Elite trims feature perforated, heated and ventilated front seats, which are unique in the segment. All trims receive contrasting stitching and additional soft-touch materials in the dash and door panels. The Pilot Elite features second-row captain's chairs and a center console in between with additional storage. Completing the premium interior, the Pilot Elite comes with a panoramic roof and power driver and passenger seat thigh extension. The 2018 Pilot also features leather-trimmed seating that comes standard on EX-L trims and higher. The EX-L and Touring trims will feature only heated front seats and no ventilation is available.
2.4. Convenient Storage Solutions
When it comes down to storing small items scattered throughout the vehicle, both years maintain the same amount of storage solutions. Most of the storage compartments are a variety of cup holders, small pockets, or trays. The only thing the 2019 model has to offer over the 2018 is a small storage shelf on the dash on the passenger side. One of these compartments is a "hidden" compartment. One of which is integrated into the map on the front passenger side, where when opened it reveals a USB port for the infotainment system. The other is located in the cargo area and is a small reversible panel to reveal grocery hooks and a hidden storage compartment. Both models have second-row seat back pockets and numerous cup holders. In conclusion, this vehicle carries a good array of storage compartments and most likely has the perfect amount without having too many for what is necessary.
3. Performance and Efficiency
Honda made several improvements and developments to the powertrain. The 2018 Honda Pilot was rated to possess a 280-horsepower V-6 engine and 262 lb-ft of torque. This past year, the 2019 Honda Pilot is a four percent boost in horsepower because of a variety of the successful V-6 engine in the Acura MDX. As the Pilot’s V-6 gets an immediate injection and cylinder deactivation. Though these changes seem quite moderate, they bring about a nine percent boost in horsepower for 2019 Pilot models. Regarding transmission, the 6-speed automatic within the 2018 model now's a relic of history. All 2019 Pilot trims now have a 9-speed automatic with a few possessing a pushbutton gear selector. This new 9-speed doesn't only boost fuel efficiency, but increases the Pilot’s acceleration and all around performance. Finally, Touring and Elite models will gain benefit from the Pilot’s increased towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. to the new sum of 5,000 lbs. The improved powertrain not merely affects acceleration and towing capacity, but fuel efficiency and effectiveness as well. The ex-profitable the 2019 Honda Pilot’s MSRP is offset because the 2019 model has a slight increase in MSRP. However, the brand new model is equipped with a start-stop system that can and off cylinder deactivation further improving fuel efficiency. Elite models will have improved fuel efficiency from the Pilot’s new and fewer noticeable aerodynamic improvements. Overall, these developments make for further drive range and less money invested in fuel. In terms of possible future fuel efficiency, it’s an excellent bet the fact that 2019 models will have a longer life expectancy and better long haul reliability compared to earlier generation Pilots. Regarding handling, the 2019 Honda Pilot needs a large step in the best direction. With the steering and suspension changes, the brand new model feels much lighter and much more nimble while retaining a feeling of stability and command over road conditions. An important milestone is The Pilot’s new ability to tackle off-road conditions and large inclines with available AWD using the addition of your Intelligent Variable Torque Management system. This technique not merely improves AWD performance, but accelerates and increases fuel efficiency by automatically transferring torque to the rear wheels when front wheel slippage is detected. With your handling improvements, the 2019 Honda Pilot puts itself the main thing on its class in a very important, yet often overlooked aspect of a vehicle’s performance and efficiency.
3.1. Powerful Engine Options
One of the most exciting changes for the 2019 Honda Pilot is that both the LX and EX versions now come standard with the highly sought after 6-speed automatic transmission and an Earth Dreams engine. This new engine/tranny combo provides a little more get-up-and-go while improving gas mileage at the same time. This is in comparison to the 2018 LX 2WD model which was equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a standard 280-horsepower 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), resulting in an EPA rating of 19/27/22 mpg (2WD). While the fuel ratings have not changed for the AWD model, the 2WD models now equipped with a 2019 Earth Dreams engine achieve an impressive EPA rating of 20/27/23 mpg. While 1 mpg may not seem like a huge difference, those who put a lot of mileage on their vehicles will certainly notice the decrease in fuel stops. In the performance department, the newly designed 2019 Honda Pilot engine has provided a bit more torque over the 2018 engine. The 2018 Pilot LX, EX, EX-L and Touring trims are equipped with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) producing 262 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2019 engine, shared with the previous generation Acura MDX, provides a modest increase to 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. While neither the horsepower nor the torque have changed dramatically, the increase does provide a noticeable improvement in acceleration and towing. Higher level 2018 Pilots with the 9-speed automatic transmission did benefit from a slight performance increase.
3.2. Improved Fuel Efficiency
Buying a car is "more than a mode of transportation"; we use it as an extension of our lives. It keeps you moving and provides a dash of excitement when you finally take it to the open road. Honda understands it, to be a part of this fast-paced world stand still is a bad idea and sometimes need to prove your machine on the racing track. It is the essence of "Power of Dreams" philosophy. Giving innovation to your product and makes it a category above the rest. Honda has the whole idea from A to B and constantly giving a new level of what's expected a car to do. With those principles, Honda has manufactured "Honda Pilot" a car to drive away your routine. With the platform of Global Light Truck, Honda made a leap on creating second generation Honda Pilot, which appearing in more tougher and workman-like on its exterior. The well established All-Wheel Drive system with lock function combined with Variable Cylinder Management™ and unibody construction, creating an instant success for better handling, off-road capability and improved fuel efficiency compared to its rivals. These features give the great impact to the car. The result is above expectation, Honda Pilot has more than 80 accolades and many of them are related to improvement of performance and efficiency. These give a signal that Honda Pilot is contrast against SUVs that competitors try to turn into pseudo-minivans.
3.3. Smooth and Responsive Handling
Taking these changes into consideration, the 2019 Honda Pilot has made some modest but overall positive changes in addressing the points where it is needed to be an even more reliable and competent purchase over the current model.
On the fuel economy side, the 2019 Honda Pilot is a bit of a mixed bag. Front-drive models have seen slight improvement, but the heavier AWD models are coming out with slightly worse EPA fuel economy ratings. This is more or less an inevitability in a vehicle market that continues to prioritize fuel economy improvements in car-based utility vehicles and crossovers, but it may be something that Honda can work to improve on again with time.
The 2018 Pilot's biggest deficiency is the transmission. The Pilot uses a six-speed automatic that many owners may not particularly favor next to the smoother-shifting modern CVTs and 8-9-speed automatic transmissions. This is something that Honda appears to have addressed with the 2019 model, with the Pilot moving to an all-new 9-speed automatic transmission (exact details not known but it could likely be a ZF 9), which should help alleviate this complaint of the current vehicle.
In order to free up some extra cargo space at the rear third row, all but the base model 2019 Honda Pilots get a switch from the bench seat to captain's chairs. This isn't a configuration that we were able to sample on the drive event in British Columbia, but Honda claims that it won't affect the width and comfort level of the second row, and to keep things consistent, Elite models will come with a heated second row. The seats themselves are comfortable and easy to access with simple one-touch levers to fold and slide them out of the way.
Some changes have been made with the 2019 Honda Pilot in terms of driving dynamics. While the engine and transmission have been retained at the baseline level, changes have been made with the top Elite model. This AWD version gets its own system with torque vectoring borrowed from the Acura MDX that should improve the Pilot's handling.
The 2019 Honda Pilot is a more premium vehicle that continues to offer more comfort and space than the average crossover 4x4. This comes out in the way the vehicle drives, with more body roll than you might expect from a Honda around tight corners. The steering has also been criticized for being too light, though buyers in this market may well see that as a positive. The Pilot's ride quality, though, is a definite strong point.
3.4. Available All-Wheel Drive
It still retains its trusty i-VTEC V-6 and variable cylinder engine. The 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque is leveraged onto the road via a 5-speed automatic. The powertrain was reworked for the latest generation model and thus, the transmission performs a bit better in selecting the right gear and keeping the engine in the powerband. The VCM (variable cylinder management) allows the engine to run on 3, 4, or all 6 cylinders, depending on driving conditions to increase efficiency. The drive and driven are where you will find the biggest difference in performance. Honda removed the rarely used front wheel drive model of Pilot, so all Pilots are equipped with all wheel drive. The new AWD system offers more efficient power transfer to the rear wheels when front wheel slippage is detected and can distribute a higher percentage of torque to the rear wheels during acceleration and medium to high speed cruising for improved stability and dynamic performance. With the increased emphasis on the Pilot being a luxury vehicle, the improved AWD system will be enjoyed by the drivers of the second generation model. A specifically designed AWD system is where Pilot has a clear advantage over many other similar vehicles, which are often stuck borrowing an AWD system from their platform's minivan.
4. Safety and Technology
Obviously though, this is an important advancement and will come in handy when taking a family road trip or just a trip across town to the grocery store. ACC with a low speed follow simply does what it says: it would follow a car at a certain speed you set the cruise control at. If the car in front of you starts to slow down even lower than you set the speed, the Pilot will then follow the car at its new speed until the road in front is clear for acceleration. This can be very useful in heavy stop and go traffic and a feature that is seen in many luxury vehicles now has finally made its way down to our 2019 Pilot, truly making it a more advanced and mainstream feature aimed to reduce driver frustration and fatigue. Continuing on driver fatigue and frustration, the Pilot's new available Advanced Connectivity features, which include CabinTalk and CabinControl, is definitely a win for Honda. Both of these features are designed for drivers to easily communicate with back seat passengers and customize their entertainment options in an easy and convenient way. CabinTalk allows the driver to talk to second and third row passengers via the rear entertainment system headphones and they can respond back through the speakers. And also now the CabinTalk In-car PA can broadcast the driver's front seat passenger's voice to the back row and third row passengers if the rear entertainment system is not in use. Users of CabinTalk will enjoy being able to communicate with ease to the back row and rear passengers and can now easily get their attention if they missed something the driver said earlier.
4.1. Honda Sensing Suite
- Lane Keeping Assist System builds on top of the Road Departure Mitigation System. It is designed to provide more dynamic steering support. A windshield-mounted camera detects lane features, and if the system determines that you are driving out of a detected lane without signaling, it will provide steering torque to encourage you to stay in the lane. Vibrating the steering wheel simulates driving over road markings, and if the system has no torque detected, it will assume the driver is not paying attention. In this case, the LDW indicator will appear in the instrument panel.
- Road Departure Mitigation System uses a small camera, again at the top of the front windshield, to recognize lane lines on the road. If the system determines that you are about to leave the road, it will provide rapid steering and/or braking assistance. If no corrective action is taken, the system has the ability to apply more decisive action with the brakes to prevent the car from leaving the road.
- Collision Mitigation Braking System can help bring your Honda to a stop if the system determines that a frontal collision is unavoidable. A small forward-facing camera searches for solid objects, such as cars or a barrier. If the system determines that there is a high likelihood of a collision, it will apply the brakes to lessen the severity of the impact. It will give visual and auditory warnings, as well as tightening the driver's seatbelt.
Honda Sensing is now standard on all Pilots and consists of a suite of safety tech that assists the driver in avoiding collisions and accidents. It uses the following features to achieve this:
4.2. Collision Mitigation Braking System
Collision Mitigation Braking System, according to our essay on "Here are Differences Between Honda Pilot 2018 and 2019." It was not until 2019 when CMBS finally became a standard safety feature across all Pilot trims after only being standard on EX, EX-L, and Touring in 2018. However, it was also in 2019 when CMBS rating achieved a maximum of "superior." This made a significant positive impact in both the functionality and the insurance rating as the 2019 Honda Pilot received an advanced superior rating on vehicle to vehicle crash prevention compared to the 2018 model which received an advanced rating. Because CMBS is one of the main components that contribute towards the Honda Sensing suite, Honda Pilot 2019's overall rating for the front crash prevention system is superior compared to the 2018 Pilot which received an advanced rating.
4.3. Lane Keeping Assist System
The Lane Keeping Assist System is up next on the Honda Pilot tech rundown, and it represents a genuinely strong step up in class. The system uses a little windshield-mounted camera to screen path markings and distinguish if the vehicle is floating from its present path. If the system distinguishes that the driver is starting to move out of the path without a turn signal, it will start to delicately control the guiding wheel toward the path focuses. Assuming the car starts to float out of a distinguished path with no turn signal, the system will apply more force to the controlling and in the long run add directing wheel turn torque to help the driver with guiding effort to move over into the ideal path. This dynamic path keeping help is more advanced than past models, basically on the grounds that the vehicle can really make acclimations to the guiding wheel and is no longer just limiting force to the controlling wheel, and is the principal system to make left and right directing wheel input to help the vehicle return to the ideal way. Why is this a stage up for Honda? Well thinking about the Honda Pilot's size and the high probability that it will be stacked with 8 travelers, the path takeoff notice system will presumably be demonstrated genuinely useful when the vehicle is moving to either side of the path to talk with travelers in the back columns. This system will help the vehicle from floating into the following path over, which is significant considering the way that the Pilot will probably spend an average measure of time vanquishing interstate miles with the entire family on load up. Additional steering input assist will help the driver to make the path correction that is recognized whenever the driver shifts between path without a turn signal. This system will likewise help during long unmoving effort with the vehicle's Adaptive Cruise Control System, which is another element of the Honda Sensing Suite that will be examined later. Overall, the Path Keeping Assist System can give an enormous edge in preventing superfluous minor mishaps with the Honda Pilot, and will probably help wellbeing evaluations for the vehicle in view of its expected high use as a family vehicle.
4.4. Adaptive Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control is an intelligent cruising system that accelerates and decelerates the vehicle automatically in order to maintain a proper following distance and keep a minimum of preset speeds selected by the driver. It is a convenience system to reduce driver workload over long trips and especially in dense traffic conditions. Adaptive Cruise Control functions when there is a vehicle detected in front of it, and the system is automatically cancelled and a warning is given to ensure the vehicle ahead. Honda claims the previous version is unable to function at the speed of 20 mph and does not guarantee the ACC to work, and the newly developed ACC is able to function even at low speeds and can stop the vehicle. The result is a superior technology when compared to the previous generation of Honda Pilot. ACC in Honda Accord's 2008 and 2009 models have no significant differences and saw a decrease in the minimum speed that it can be set to, 20 mph instead of the previous 25 mph. Most Honda models before the 2009 version do not even have ACC. This has shown that Honda is consistent and concerned in improving their technology. Comparing the level of technology used on Toyota, Honda's ACC and its TSS-P Pre-Collision System are more superior compared to Toyota Corolla, which is only able to maintain certain speed ranges automatically and still cannot stop the vehicle completely. Honda's second generation ACC comes with more refined improvements by increasing the amount of pressure required on the accelerator, and the user does not have to re-engage the system after braking. This generation of Honda Pilot is installed with a Superior All-Range Tracking (Radar-Type) capability, which adopted the concept of "Maintaining Distance". This radar can track up to 5 possible distance settings that the driver can select on the Multi-Information Display, from 1 being the closest and 5 for the furthest distance. By tracking the selected distance, the vehicle will then accelerate and decelerate to maintain the selected following gap. This generation of Honda Pilot also has an Integrated Dynamic System, which has 3 settings that affect the responsiveness of the vehicle, steering wheel, and ACC functionality.
4.5. Advanced Connectivity Features
As well as connectivity, the Pilot boasts extensive features linked to driver assistance, known as Honda Sensing. In the 2018 model, Honda Sensing features are optional with the EX and EX-L trims, and are standard in both the Touring and Elite trims. In the 2019 model, all trims include Honda Sensing as standard. This system includes safety features intended to assist drivers in stopping or avoiding an on-road incident. These include Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist. All features have obvious benefits, with road departure mitigation ensuring the Pilot does not sway off a detected road and lane. Many of these features indicate a safety improvement in the 2019 model over the 2018 model. Another safety feature new to the 2019 Pilot is the introduction of Honda's Blind Spot Information System. In the 2018 model, this is only standard in the Elite trim. The system uses radar sensors to detect the presence of vehicles to the side of the vehicle and alerts the driver via visual and audio cues. To help make a lane change, the system will assist in steering the Pilot out of its current lane. Although this feature is an additional cost in trims other than the Elite 2019 Pilot, the Elite trim now features a cross-traffic monitor which is an improvement over the standard blind spot information system in the Elite 2018 Pilot. For those who use their smart devices often throughout the day, the Pilot may be a favorable choice with the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to all trims from the EX upwards in the 2019 model. This is in contrast to the 2018 model where these features were only present in the EX-L and upwards. This allows for better connectivity with smartphones, using the Pilot's display audio touch screen to allow the driver to make calls, send and receive messages, and access apps. The use of voice commands to control the iPhone or Android also allows for minimized distractions while driving.