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The 2016 Honda Pilot, which sits above the CR-V and HR-V, has been revealed ahead of its official unveiling at the 2015 Chicago motor show. These official shots of the third-generation crossover you see here come courtesy of Edmunds and it appears that Honda has decided to opt for a more premium, Acura-esque styling language this time round.

Built in North America, the Acura MDX-based vehicle replaces its predecessor from 2008 but is slated to retain its ancestor's ability to seat eight occupants in a three-row setup. The interior layout appears to have received its fair share of upgrades as well, further elevating its premium ambience.

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Honda claims that "the new Pilot represents a dramatic shift in design, while showcasing new standout technologies, versatility, and dynamics currently unavailable in the mainstream SUV segment." Whatever that may be, expect the Pilot to be a significant source of inspiration for the next-gen Honda Ridgeline - a pick-up sibling of the Pilot that was discontinued in 2014 and due to replaced soon.

Under the hood, expect Honda's latest 3.5 litre, direct-injected V6 to be coupled to either a six-speed automatic from the Accord V6 or the nine-speed auto from the Acura TLX V6. Echoing its predecessor, front-wheel drive is expected to be offered with all-wheel drive being an option.