Honda Kills LX and EX Pilot Trims for 2022, Makes it More Expensive
Honda just killed the LX and EX Pilot trims for the 2022 model year. The 2022 Honda Pilot is getting way more expensive. The lineup has lost a few options, and the starting trim is one you might not expect. The absence of the two cheapest trim levels is what really raises the price. Though, the base model now has far more standard equipment than it ever did before. Here’s why the Pilot just got such a big price hike.
Honda killed the LX and EX Pilot trims
Honda has killed the LX and EX Pilot trims for 2022. The entry-level Honda Pilot has been discontinued for the new model year along with the next highest trim. Though these models didn’t come with a lot of standard equipment, their inclusion was welcomed due to the starting price of just $33,775. In their absence, the starting price will rise significantly since no new base trim is being added. Instead, the Sport model is simply becoming the base model, with only more expensive changes entering the lineup.
The 2022 Honda Pilot will still have a lineup consisting of seven different trim levels. The newest addition is the TrailSport off-road-focused trim. It slots in dead center in the lineup between the Special Edition and Touring models.
The 2022 Honda Pilot Sport is the new base model
The new base Honda Pilot, also known as the cheapest version, is the Sport. The good news is it comes with more standard equipment than the LX ever did. The bad news is the cheapest version of the Honda Pilot now costs $36,830. That’s a price jump of $4,280 from the old base model.
Fortunately, the Honda Pilot Sport comes with a 280-horsepower V6 engine, 20-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and much more. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available. Opting for all-wheel drive boosts the price a bit more, and your Pilot will instead start at $40,055. Though with standard features like Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Smart Entry, Bluetooth, and plenty of safety features, you might be able to get past the price tag.
The newest addition to the lineup
The newest addition to the lineup is the TrailSport off-road-focused trim. It slots in three spots above the Sport base model and costs $43,560 to start. It comes standard with great features like all-wheel drive, rugged terrain tires, Intelligent Traction Management, and more. These are just a few of the features that make this model more off-road capable.
It also comes with loads of safety features and technology. Heated seats, a one-touch power moonroof, and everything else the Sport has is included, plus more. If the off-roading features aren’t of interest to you, the Touring trim comes in at only $60 more than the TrailSport. It basically comes with the same equipment minus the all-terrain tires.
According to Motor1, the subtraction of the LX and EX trims from the lineup means the 2022 Honda Pilot is getting way more expensive. Honda killing the LX and EX Pilot trims is bad for your wallet. The base Sport model is much nicer than the LX but is pretty costly. This change makes the Pilot starting price much closer to luxury SUVs than cheaper brands. Though it is still fairly affordable for its size, and extra starting equipment is always a bonus.
