Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) rose to popularity during the late 1990s because of their increased hauling capacity and passenger space. Auto manufacturer Honda responded to the trend by introducing several SUVs, including the Honda Pilot.
The Honda Pilot has seating for up to eight, making it a viable choice for large families. Though the vehicle has off-road capabilities, those features also give the company’s target market--urban drivers--the additional security and traction they desire to manage inclement weather conditions.
Honda offered the first Pilot for the 2003 model year as a replacement for the Honda Passport. During that year through 2005 the SUV featured all-wheel drive. Starting with the 2006 model year the company began to modify the exterior design, and offered a front-wheel drive version of the Pilot. In 2009, Honda released a full redesign of the Pilot that featured a more rugged exterior and interior than the first generation model.
In 2003, Honda offered the Pilot at a starting price of $10,000. By 2010 the starting price of the latest Piolt had risen to a little more than $28,000.
