Honda confirmed that the redesigned 2016 Pilot SUV will debut in the United States shortly after the launch of the all-new 2016 Honda HR-V SUV, expected in the first half of the year.
John Mendel, the executive vice president of Honda’s U.S. Automobiles division, said at the Detroit Auto Show that 2015 will also see the introduction of the all-new Ridgeline pickup. For the moment it is not clear whether the next-generation Ridgeline will be a 2016 or 2017 model. What is certain though is Honda’s first launch of the year will be the HR-V this spring.
“Shortly after, we’ll introduce an all-new Pilot SUV that will redefine what is possible with an eight-passenger midsize SUV. And further ahead, a completely re-engineered Ridgeline pickup. And we have some more excitement on the passenger car side of our lineup this year as well,” Mendel said without getting into details.
Rivals of the Honda Pilot include SUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner. The related Honda Ridgeline competes with the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
Mendel also said 2015 will be a busy year for Honda, with the Japanese automaker rolling out new, small turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The executive did not say which models will get the new turbo units, but Honda is expected to launch at least one turbocharged vehicle by the end of 2015.
Story references: Edmunds / Current-generation models pictured
PHOTOS
