Long-Term Honda Pilot Update: Perfect Production Vehicle

Along with the other goodies included in the top-of-the-line Pilot Elite come two pieces of roof-mounted glass: one traditional sunroof over the driver and front passenger and one fixed panoramic roof over the rear seats. In addition to flooding the cabin with light, making it generally enjoyable for passengers, both were immensely helpful for filming, too. The sunroof proved spacious enough to sneak through and shoot from above, offering a high-up perspective on the fly. And although the rear piece of glass stays shut, it’s a sizable surface perfect for mounting cameras for car-to-car shooting. 

In addition to its cargo space, the Pilot offered plentiful options for storing smaller items. With 12 cupholders and numerous cubbies throughout the cabin, the spacious crossover welcomes you (and all of your stuff) with open arms. Bonus points were awarded to our long-termer’s second-row center console nestled between the captain’s chairs. It’s the small details like this that make all the difference with a crossover’s overall practicality, and Honda’s typically brilliant engineers and designers more than stepped up to the plate.

The Cabin Talk feature eases the communication process between the driver and front-seat passenger and those in the third row. In layman's terms, Cabin Talk is a built-in microphone that parents use to yell at their kids via the Pilot’s speakers. Though I never tested that specific application, Cabin Talk helped me direct various photo and video shoots, as the voice amplification system allowed me to work from the driver’s seat while allowing my commands to audibly make their way to camera operators or video producers resting their bottoms in the third-row seats or on the rear bumper. It’s a fun, somewhat kitschy feature that can be surprisingly helpful.

With three USB ports and a 115-volt outlet, the long-term Pilot regularly charged a number of devices, including the batteries for Motor1.com’s arsenal of video cameras, GoPros, stabilizers, and microphone packs. Having the power outlet in the second row makes things extra convenient, as not all camera chargers have USB connections. In any case, the Pilot saved many a shoot from ending early due to a dead battery.