Elyria, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/18/2012 -- Jack Matia Honda near Cleveland, Ohio is happy to announce that their leading Honda SUV, the Honda Pilot, has been awarded the Cars.com winner of the “SUV Shootout”. When compared to six other vehicles, including some that were newer and more recently redesigned models, the Pilot took first place.

The keys to success for this family-favorite SUV were a few small changes inside, outside and under the hood for the 2012 model. With three rows of seats and plenty of cabin and cargo space, the Honda Pilot made a lasting impression on consumers and the Cars.com experts.

Enhancements for 2012 prove that the small things really do make a difference. Adding just 1 mpg to its gas mileage for city driving and 2 mpg for highway made the Honda Pilot the second most fuel efficient model in the competition. The interior space has been upgraded as well by redesigning the dashboard’s center control panel to allow for more room, and the appearance of the dashboard and controls have a darker, more sophisticated look.

In the area of family-friendly, the 2012 Honda Pilot rises above all others, especially because the Pilot is one of only two models in the competition that seats eight. Another crucial feature, are the sliding second-row seats. This allows for added legroom between the second and third rows, and makes it much easier to access the third row. A mom-favorite feature is the ability to fit three child safety seats all in the second-row seats comfortably. Storage nooks, pockets, bins and cubbies make the Honda Pilot the undisputed leader when it comes to storage.

Additional features include 2,000 pounds of towing capacity, 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats and 87 cubic feet with all seats folded, several air bags for safety throughout the vehicle, and upgraded trim levels that offer leather seating, heated front seats and entertainment systems.

To learn more about the 2012 Honda Pilot and how it ranked up against the other six SUVs, go to http://hondaelyria.jackmatiahonda.com. If you have any questions about the Honda Pilot, or would like to take the leading SUV for a test drive, please visit Jack Matia Honda in Elyria, OH. You may also visit Jack Matia Honda online at http://jackmatiahonda.com.

About Jack Matia Honda
Jack Matia Honda is a leading Certified Honda Dealer in Northern Ohio. This Honda dealership provides a full line of Honda new and used cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. The Honda certified technicians and sales associates are willing to go that extra mile to make your Honda buying experience simple and memorable.\