Honda Announces 2008 Honda Pilot Pricing

American Honda Motor Corp. has announced the pricing for the 2008 Honda Pilot which goes on sale today. The automaker also introduced two new variations to the lineup: the all-new Pilot Value Package and Special Edition trims.

As with previous Honda Value Package and Special Edition trim levels, these added features, says the company’s press release, represent a significant value without a significant price increase. The Value Package and Special Edition start at $27,595 and $31,595, respectively. Destination and handling charges for all 2008 Honda models are $595.

"The Pilot was a conceptual pioneer within its segment when it was introduced," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "And it continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of customers."

For the first time in its six years on the market, the Pilot is available in two new trim levels, the Value Package and the Special Edition. The Value Package builds on and replaces 2007's value-leading LX trim, adding rear privacy glass, machined alloy wheels, XM® Satellite Radio, upgraded audio to include a 6-disc CD changer and additional speakers, roof rails, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, and body-colored door mirrors, door handles and rear spoiler.

The Special Edition on the other hand, supplements the available EX trim, adding in-demand features like a DVD rear entertainment system, XM® Satellite Radio, power moonroof, 115-volt power outlet and ambient console lighting.

About the Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot is Honda's second SUV fully built and designed by Honda, released in the summer of 2002 for the 2003 model year. The Honda Pilot is built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada and Lincoln, Alabama, and shares underpinnings and the powertrain with the Acura MDX -- which has a lineage that can be traced to the Honda Odyssey minivan. The Pilot’s unibody construction, however, is fortified with integrated perimeter frame rails, which helps it withstand light off-road use.

The Pilot was designed to fill a large American demand for SUVs. Prior to the introduction of the Pilot, Honda – maker of quality Honda auxiliary fan switch only had the smaller CR-V based on the Civic, and the Passport. However, the CR-V lacked in features many American consumers looked for in an SUV, which are overall size, passenger space, and towing capacity.

The Pilot is at most designed to withstand light-duty off-roading, and has been a best-seller for Honda. Honda sold over 100,000 Pilots in 2004, an increase of almost 20% over 2003. The Pilot is sold in North America, while Japan and Australia get its relative, the Honda MDX instead. In the Middle East, the Pilot is sold as the Honda MR-V.