Chicago Auto Show Tease: 2016 Honda Pilot and Acura RDX: Comments

[William Maley]

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Just after a week of the madness that is the Detroit Auto Show, automakers are gearing for the next show on the schedule: Chicago. Honda is the first automaker to announce what they have in store for the show next month and it happens to deal with crossovers.

First up is the 2016 Pilot. Honda has released a teaser shot showing off the greenhouse of the redesigned crossover. From this shot, we can see Honda has retired the boxy shape that has been part of the Pilot since the first-generation model and going for shape that is more in common with the CR-V and HR-V. Honda goes onto say the Pilot will showcase 'new standout technologies, versatility, and dynamics currently unavailable in the mainstream SUV segment.'

Second is Honda's luxury counterpart, Acura announcing the 2016 RDX. The compact luxury crossover was redesigned in 2013, but apparently is up for a refresh. The updated model is expected to feature "a long list of styling and performance improvements plus desirable new luxury and safety features" along with "important improvements to performance, dynamics, comfort and NVH."

We'll have more information and live shots when both vehicles debut at Chicago on February 12th.

Source: Honda, Acura

Press Releases are on Page 2

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All-New 2016 Honda Pilot SUV to Make Global Debut at 2015 Chicago Auto Show

• Honda to fortify light-truck leadership on Feb. 12 by debuting all-new Pilot three-row SUV, and revealing the styling direction for future Ridgeline pickup
  

Jan 21, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif: A completely reengineered and redesigned Honda Pilot SUV will make its world debut at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show on February 12 at 9:30 a.m. The all-new, eight-passenger Pilot SUV – completely designed, developed and manufactured in America -- will raise the stakes in the mainstream three-row SUV segment with new technology, advanced safety, class-leading fuel economy and enhanced family utility and versatility.

The new Pilot represents a dramatic shift in design, while showcasing new standout technologies, versatility, and dynamics currently unavailable in the mainstream SUV segment. Further, the Pilot remains as family-friendly as ever, proving once again that driving the family truckster can be a joy.

The redesigned Pilot SUV, launching at Honda dealerships nationwide this summer, will further augment a Honda light truck lineup that includes the recently redesigned Honda CR-V – 2014 Motor Trend SUV of the Year and the best-selling SUV in America – and the all-new Honda HR-V crossover, launching this spring. In addition to showcasing the completely redesigned Honda Pilot SUV, the company also will reveal details and styling direction for its forthcoming Ridgeline truck at the Chicago Auto Show.

"Honda continues to fortify its light-truck lineup in 2015, this time turning our eye to the fast-growing family SUV segment," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. "The new Pilot will raise the bar in a segment it helped to create, with more innovation, style, premium features and family utility than ever before."

The original Honda Pilot was introduced in 2002 as the first mainstream eight-passenger SUV to feature car-like unitized body construction, delivering more refined driving dynamics, better fuel economy and superior cabin space in a family-oriented sport-utility vehicle. The second-generation Pilot was launched in 2008. All three generations of the Pilot have been designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Los Angeles and Ohio. The Pilot and its engine are now produced at the company's Lincoln, Alabama plant.

The Honda brand's U.S. light-truck sales were up 10.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 154,480 SUVs, pickups and minivans, including an 8.6% gain for Pilot, to 28,610 units, in the fourth quarter.

Hot Winter Wind: 2016 Acura RDX to Bow at 2015 Chicago Auto Show

• Quick, luxurious, fun and practical new RDX to bring even stronger package to red-hot segment
  

Jan 21, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif: Coming off a record sales year as one of the best-selling SUVs in its segment, Acura's RDX is set to move its already lofty bar even higher when the new 2016 model bows at the Chicago Auto Show on February 12. The new RDX sports a long list of styling and performance improvements plus desirable new luxury and safety features designed to further solidify its leadership in the compact luxury SUV segment.

The 2016 RDX artfully blends numerous fresh exterior and interior design elements to further enrich its sport and luxury qualities, all with a cohesiveness that speaks to its new capabilities. Already one of the quickest and most fuel-efficient V6-powered entry-luxury SUVs, the 2016 RDX takes the position a step further, adding important improvements to performance, dynamics, comfort and NVH.

Don't miss the debut of the newest Acura RDX at the Chicago Auto Show on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. CST in the Acura booth.

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[caddycruiser]

Lots and lots of new trim levels, features, etc. coming to the RDX. Perfect timing to make a fantastic package more luxury and with more features people are now looking for.

 

The Pilot should be a nice jump start over current, with new power train, 9-speed etc.

[G. David Felt]

Be interesting to see how different the two really are and if Acura finally drops the Buck Tooth Grill that I think has hurt their sales along with bland boring conservative style.

[Drew Dowdell]

Acura saw the MKC and got scared?

[G. David Felt]

[daves87rs]