by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Honda Pilot has remained a strong competitor against fresh rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. But some critics may think that the 2022 Honda Pilot feels too old to really compete. 

Is the 2022 Honda Pilot worth buying? 

Yes, even though the 2022 Honda Pilot has a dated exterior and interior, it still provides plenty of value as a reliable ride. According to Autoblog, the Honda Pilot still has a substantial resale value too, so it’s not a risky investment. 

The Pilot just doesn’t seem as flashy or attractive as new models like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander. AutoBlog shared that the Pilot may seem a little dull in comparison, but it still offers tons of family features. For example, it’s safe and had plenty of cargo space. 

How does the 2022 Pilot perform? 

The 2022 Honda Pilot comes with a stout 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.0 seconds, which is faster than rivals. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

It has confident brakes with responsive steering and handling. But it’s not exactly sporty or engaging. The transmission is smooth, and it seems pretty nimble. You can get the Pilot with all-wheel drive, but it lacks the ground clearance for off-roading. 

The Pilot is a comfortable option that delivers a smooth ride. The cabin is pretty well insulated, but wind and road noise can be heard at higher speeds. Also, the V6 has a satisfying roar if you want to hear it. 

With the Pilot, you get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 27 mpg on the highway. This is pretty average. All-wheel drive lowers these numbers by about one mpg because it makes the vehicle heavier. 

Front-wheel drive is standard on every trim but the Elite and Black Edition. The advanced torque-vectoring i-VTM4 system provides confidence and control in slippery situations such as snow or gravel. 

Does the Pilot have good features? 

You can get started in a new Honda Pilot for about $39,060. We know, at first glance, that price is pretty high, but it includes more standard features than rivals. For example, it has 16 cup holders! 

The Pilot has an attractive interior layout with upscale materials. It just looks a little plain compared to rivals. It has tons of storage space and useful cubbies for organizing your items. There’s even an underfloor storage bin under the load floor. 

You can access up to 16.5 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats with up to 83.9 cubic feet total. The one-button slide access to the third row makes it easy to install child seats in the back. 

It comes with an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can opt for built-in navigation and a PA system. Imagine using it to easily tell your entire family something. 

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

RELATED: Should You Swap the 2021 Honda Pilot for the Honda Odyssey?

The post The 2022 Honda Pilot Deserves a Chance Despite Feeling Old appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

News broke that the 2022 Kia Sorento PHEV will be sold in America, and it’s something to watch for. A 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four teamed with an electric motor produces 261 combined horsepower, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Kia’s outfitted the Sorento hybrid with a 13.89 kWh battery pack, allowing 32 all-electric miles to a charge. The total range including gasoline rounds out to 460 miles, according to Kia. 

The Sorento’s big battery qualifies for a tax incentive, according to Kia, saving customers $6,587 from a federal tax credit. While this sounds good on paper so far, the Sorento PHEV’s MSRP hasn’t been released. With that in mind, how does it stack up against other Hyrbids? Will it beat them all like this year’s model?

The competition looks thin but fierce

In terms of horsepower, the Sorento PHEV falls in line with the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV. The Santa Fe has a combined 261 horsepower also and can reach 31 miles on its electric charge. The Santa Fe PHEV is $35,000, so for the Sorento to compete it should land in that range. However, since Hyundai owns Kia motors, the real competition lies elsewhere. 

The Sorento may have to look out for the Toyota RAV4 Prime. It’s a plug-in hybrid with 302 combined horsepower and will go 42 miles on electric power alone. Although the RAV4 starts a bit higher at $39,425, it could qualify for the maximum federal tax credit of $7,500. That makes it cheaper than the Sorento (pre-tax credit). If a customer can get the full tax credit on the RAV4 it’s the obvious choice.

The Sorento’s $6,587 tax credit puts it on a similar level as high-priced PHEVs, like the Audi A8 and Q5, but is greater than some of the competition. The 2019 Sonata PHEV is only eligible for $4,919, while the Ioniq PHEV is closer to $4,500. Of all the cars eligible for a federal tax credit as depicted by Fueleconomy.gov, the Sorento lands near the upper echelon of PHEVs, which is nothing to sneeze at.

What else does the Sorento PHEV offer?

Besides an impressive and efficient powertrain, the Sorento PHEV also offers plenty of amenities to make a comfortable ride. Among Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with a Bose sound system, there are a plethora of safety features including blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Depending on the trim Kia will offer 19-inch wheels and synthetic leather. 

The 2022 Sorento PHEV will be an exciting addition to Kia’s lineup. It’ll be hard to beat with its impressive electric-only range at its presumed price point. Though the RAV4 is a close contender for most beloved PHEV, customers who qualify for the full tax credit can get their Sorento even cheaper. 

RELATED: These are the Best Used Fuel-Efficient Three-Row SUVs According to Consumer Reports

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