I drove Honda's $55,000 Pilot SUV. These 23 features make it perfect for families.

Honda ditched the sleek, rounded edges of the third-generation Pilot in favor of a return to the more rugged, squared-off look that defined the second-generation model.

It looks much better than the previous model, which felt like a taller minivan than a real SUV.

The Pilot's front end is equipped with a set of four active shutters that automatically open and close to optimize engine cooling and fuel economy. The system constantly monitors ambient air temperature, climate control settings, engine coolant temperature, and transmission fluid temperature to determine whether the shutter should open or close.

Although it boasts the same displacement as the outgoing engine, 3.5 liters, and a similar horsepower output, this is a very different beast.

This is the first Honda V6 in three decades not to feature the brand's iconic VTEC variable valve timing system. The system, which optimized fuel economy at low revs and delivered increased power at higher RPMs, gave Honda's engines multiple, distinct personalities in which the driver would feel a sudden jolt of extra power at high RPMs when VTEC kicks in.

It's a sensation that has made VTEC engines highly sought after among automotive enthusiasts.

In this engine, Honda uses a new system that constantly adjusts its intake and exhaust valve timing. The result is a more linear power delivery and an engine with the lower emissions output that Honda needed to remain compliant with environmental regulations.

The new engine remains whisper quiet at idle and feels silky smooth as it revs freely toward its 6,500 RPM redline. It can also shut down three of its six cylinders when high power output isn't needed to save fuel.

My all-wheel-drive Pilot Elite test car boasts EPA fuel economy figures of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Front-wheel-drive models get one additional mpg, while the TrailSport gets one fewer.

The Pilot Elite puts its power to the road through Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.

In most situations, the Pilot's AWD system sends power only to its front wheels. However, when traction loss is detected, it can send up to 70% of the engine's power to the back wheels. What sets Honda's system apart is that it can send 100% of that power to either one of the back wheels. For example, i-VTM4 can distribute more power to the outside rear wheel in a corner to reduce understeer and improve controllability.

The Pilot's cabin is not fancy. Even in its fully loaded Elite trim, you won't confuse the Pilot for a luxury vehicle. However, you will find a spacious, thoughtfully designed cabin made with durable, high-quality materials and filled with useful storage nooks.

For example, the climate control panel on the front dash is a perfect blend of rotary knobs, physical buttons, and digital displays that make for easy, idiot-proof use on the fly.

Elite and Black Edition trim Pilots have a configurable 10.2-inch digital instrument display. All other trim levels get a smaller seven-inch display paired with an analog speedometer.

In addition to a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, Elite and Black Edition trims also get a color head-up display projected onto the windshield in front of the driver.

Honda's unique pushed button shifter dominates the center console. Of the new-age shifter designs, this one is self-explanatory and easy to use. It also opens up the center console and facilitates easy access to the pair of large cup holders.

The Pilot's front dash offers occupants four different charging options with a wireless charging pad, a USB-A plug, a USB-C plugs, and a 12V socket.

Above the center console is a folding panoramic conversation mirror that helps the driver keep an eye on the passengers. It pairs well with the infotainment system's CabinTalk PA system that broadcasts the driver's commands through the speakers in the rear of the vehicle.

CabinTalk also allows the driver to listen in on rear cabin occupant through microphones located in the back of the Pilot.

At 200 inches, my test car is about three and a half inches longer than the previous generation Pilot and rivals like the Hyundai Palisade.

As a result, the Pilot boasts one of the roomiest cabins in the segment, with an impressive 114.3 inches of combined legroom and space for up to 8 occupants across its three rows.

The cabin in my Elite spec test car came equipped with a second-row bench seat that can be converted to a set of captain's chairs by removing the middle seat.

The middle seat is easily removed by pulling a tab at the bottom of the module. Once removed, the middle seat module, which is fairly light at around 25 lbs, can be stored under the cargo floor to facilitate easier access to the third row.

When installed, the middle seat can be folded down to provide additional storage and a pair of cupholders for second-row passengers.

Second-row passengers have dedicated climate controls and a bevy of device charging options with a pair of USB-C plugs and a 110V power outlet.

The two outer seats in the row are heated, but not ventilated like the front seats.

The Pilot's third row is the roomiest in this segment. With 32.5 inches of legroom, it beats out the Subaru Ascent and Hyundai Palisade by an inch and the Toyota Highlander by more than 4 inches.

Third-row passengers also have access to a quartet of cupholders and a pair of USB-C plugs.

My test car came equipped with a large panoramic moonroof. Instead of opening up and out, the Pilot's moonroof opens by sliding back under the glass over the rear seats. This allows occupants full use of the moonroof even when the roof rack is loaded with cargo.

All Pilots come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. All trims except the base Pilot Sport are able to deploy the software wirelessly.

The Pilot comes standard with a rearview camera, but higher trims come equipped with a surround-view camera system that gives the driver a 360-degree overhead view of the vehicle's surroundings.

Honda placed the system's activation button at the end of the windshield wipe stalk to the right of the steering column. This is an unorthodox but ingenious location for the camera button.

The Pilot front and rear cameras are equipped with sprayers that help keep the lenses clean. These come in handy when the cameras get covered in road salt or mud.

Higher trim levels of the Pilot come equipped with a smart, hands-free power tailgate that automatically opens when you kick your foot under the rear bumper when in possession of the key fob.

Open the hands-free automatic liftgate, and you'll find 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats.

The cargo floor behind the third row is reversible with both a carpeted and a hard plastic surface.

Under the cargo floor is a deep well for additional storage. The removable middle seat module is also stored in this compartment.

The Pilot's compact spare tire is located immediately under this compartment.

With the third row folded down, cargo capacity expands to 60.1 cubic feet. Fold down the second row, and you get a voluminous 112.1 cubic feet of cargo room.

All Pilots come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety tech that includes collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, blind spot awareness, cross traffic monitor, driver attention monitor, and auto high-beam headlights.