The public took to Honda’s Pilot when it was launched in 2002, as the first three-row, mainstream SUV to be developed on a car-like unit-body platform. That following has resulted in more than 2 million units sold since, and it remains a top-20 vehicle on the sales floor.

Pilot’s last full regeneration occurred for the 2016 model year, and after a mid-generation re-styling last year there are no major tweaks for 2020, with the exception of a new top-of-the-line Black Edition trim level based on the former top-tier trim, the Elite. The new Black Edition adds exclusive exterior and interior styling enhancements, and like the similar Honda Ridgeline Black Edition, the Pilot Black Edition comes exclusively in Crystal Black Pearl paint and includes Black Edition badges on the grille and tailgate, Black-painted 20-inch alloy wheels, and blackout treatments for the grille, headlight trim, side trim, door handles, window trim and fog light accents. Inside, there is red accent lighting for the dash, doors and center console, with red accent stitching on the front and second row captain's chairs, door panels and steering wheel. The Black Edition logo is embossed on front seats and floor mats, and the front and second-row seats get a red accent to the perforated-leather seating surface.

For the rest of the 2020 Pilot line-up, Honda has added Honda Sensing® as standard on all trim levels, along with available HondaLink with 4G LTE Wi-Fi, CabinTalk™ and CabinControl™ applications, and Honda i-VTM4® torque-vectoring all-wheel drive is now available on all trims.

However, the Black Edition isn’t the only loaded and trendy trim on tap. I tested the next line-topper, the Elite model, which was imbued with such accouterments as a Panoramic Sun Roof and such interior upgrades as heated second-row captain's chairs, heated and ventilated front seats, perforated leather front and second-row seats, heated steering wheel, 590-watt premium audio system with 10 speakers and Multi-Zone Audio, wireless phone charger, illuminated front- and second-row beverage holders and LED front-row map lights. Outside the Pilot Elite has automatic-dimming, power-folding side mirrors and standard Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ All-Wheel-Drive System. From a safety perspective the Pilot Elite comes with Honda Sensing®, a suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies designed to keep you out of bad situations by alerting you to things you might miss while driving. Honda Sensing® includes Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist System, Collision Mitigation Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Borrowing inspiration from Honda’s Odyssey minivan, Pilot comes at you with an aggressive grille featuring a bold interpretation of the Honda “flying wing” design, and sporty front fascia with standard LED low-beam headlights. The rear features wing-design taillights, and sculpted tail. The eight-person family utility vehicle is built with unit-body construction with slender, non-boxy lines and a powerful stance. The 2020 Pilot measures 196.5 inches in length; 78.6 inches in width; and a wind-wobbling 70.6 inches in height on a 111.0-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 7.3 inches, and curbweight ranges from 4036 lbs. to 4400 lbs. depending on trim and extras.

Inside, Pilot is filled with soft-touch materials throughout the cabin and tech runs supreme throughout with audio/connectivity and driver conveniences. The Pilot Elite cabin is accommodating, with headroom of 39.5 inches up front (some trim models reach 40.1 inches), 40.9 inches in row two and 38.9 in row three. Legroom is 40.9 inches in the front row, 38.4 inches in the middle row and a child-accommodating 31.9 inches in row three. Shoulder room comes in at a comfortable 62.0, 62.0 and 57.6.

The 2020 Pilot powers up with a 280hp, 262 lb-ft of torque 3.5-liter V6 engine. Depending on the trim model, it is mated either to a 6-speed automatic or 9-speed automatic transmission. My Pilot Elite was outfitted with a 9-speed and was EPA rated at 19 mpg/city, 26mpg/highway and 22mpg overall in AWD. My mixed-use tests showed an average of 21.3mpg.

Fit for soft-road conquering and in-town deftness, my Pilot reacted well on the highway, softened road irregularities and accelerated better than niche expectations with zero-to-60mph tests finished off in 6.6 seconds during a 15.3-second quarter-mile (hand-timed).

The 2020 Honda Pilot is available in six trims in both 2WD and AWD, with the AWD costing an additional $2,000, starting with the LX at $31,550 for 2WD; the EX at $34,430; and the EX-L at $37,860. All of those come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the following upper-tier Pilots are outfitted with a 9-speed auto-trans. The Touring trim starts at $43,715, the loaded Elite trim in AWD only, starts at $49,215 and the Honda Pilot Black Edition starts at $50,715 in AWD.

My test Pilot Elite in Deep Scarlet Pearl matched to a Beige Perforated Leather interior came with advanced Navi and rear entertainment system and 20-inch alloy wheels. We added Body side molding for $225, door edge guards for $105, door visors for $275, hood air deflector for $185, moonroof visor for $155, Premium running boards with lights for $725, perforated leather heated second row captain’s chairs for $300, and a splash guard set for $115.  With destination and handling charges of $1120, my 2020 Honda Pilot Elite stickered at $51,125, but discounts may be available, so check with your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

On March 20, Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions announced an unprecedented change of dates for an event.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spring Carlisle and its two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions transitioned from its original April 22-26 dates to the final days of May.  At the same time, a secondary/back-up date was announced in the event that the pandemic was still a societal concern.

Though health experts have begun to share a more positive outlook on the outbreak, out of an abundance of caution and continued reviews of federal, state and local mandates, Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions are invoking its planned June back-up dates for Spring Carlisle 2020.  The NEW dates for the Spring event are June 17-20 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds with the auction planned for June 18-19 at the Carlisle Expo Center. 

As with any rescheduled event, all original tickets, car corral spaces, vending spaces and auction commitments will be honored.  Best of all, the new Spring Carlisle and auction dates falls over Father’s Day weekend but not Father’s Day itself, meaning a great time out with Dad in Carlisle for the event, while also being able to enjoy Father’s Day at home with friends and family on Sunday, June 21.

“Social distancing seems to be working and our country is on the right track to getting back to normalcy,” said Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller.  “While we are all going in the right direction, we also recognize a continued need to protect our community of Carlisle, staff, guests and customers who historically attend Spring Carlisle and our auction.  It’s with this abundance of safety in mind that we have decided to utilize our previously announced back-up dates of June 17-20,” continued Miller.  “A summertime car event with Dad over Father’s Day weekend is how we’ll present the event and I look forward to seeing everyone in Carlisle starting June 17.”

As previously noted, the new dates for Spring Carlisle 2020 necessitates a one-time cancelation of Carlisle Auctions planned Summer Sale auction, originally scheduled for June 27.  That event WILL return in 2021.

During this event, as well as others on the schedule, Carlisle Events will continue to be proactive from a health and sanitation standpoint within the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and Carlisle Expo Center.

• Carlisle Events and its neighboring properties will be adding additional sanitizer stations to the food court, entry gates AND guest services.
• ALL ticket takers and hand stampers will be offered gloves and hand sanitizer that is 60% (or greater) alcohol.
• Carlisle Events has secured a disinfectant from the suggested CDC list that quickly kills viruses and bacteria. This, combined with portable hand sprayers will be utilized in bathrooms, food court, vendor services, guest services and within the Carlisle Expo Center as part of auctions and third party events.
• Make available disinfectant wipes and sanitizer at ticket booths, vendor services, guest services and the Carlisle Expo Center.
• Communicate these measures to our guests, staff and business partners.
• Additional measures and suggested healthcare guidelines are available on the CDC web page.

For details regarding the NEW Spring Carlisle and auction dates for June, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.

The Nissan Sentra was created with a name that evoked the image of a “Sentry”, to bring to mind a safe small vehicle. Beginning life for model-year 1982 as a compact, it has since evolved into a mid-size. The sixth best-selling sedan in America this year, Sentra is all-new for 2020, beginning its eighth generation as a vehicle that is wider, longer and heavier than last year, but lower for better aerodynamics and stability. The new-gen Sentra has also gained 17 percent more horsepower and picks up a small bit of fuel efficiency.

Sitting on a new platform, the 2020 Nissan Sentra exterior is sportier and more muscular looking; it gains better road stability and driving dynamics through the redesign, new suspension and steering system; it adds a comprehensive suite of intelligent connectivity technologies, including available NissanConnect® featuring Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™; adds as standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360 and available driver assist technologies; and the interior is redesigned with more modern, luxurious and premium accouterments.

Outside, Sentra’s new sculpted demeanor is more aggressive and sporty than is expected from a lower-priced sedan. The powerful stance and premium look are highlighted by Nissan's signature V-motion grille, available thin LED headlamps and floating roof. A lower rear roofline and wider shoulders, with wheels flush to the body, enhances its boldness. The Sentra SR trim I tested, provides a more athletic appearance with a sport-style rear spoiler, black-painted side mirrors with integrated turn signals, lower body side sill extensions, 18-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels, and chrome exhaust finisher.

Once Sentra was a sub-compact, but it is firmly entrenched as a midsize now, weighing in with a curb weight of 3084 lbs. for my test Sentra SR – more than 100 lbs. heavier than last time --  and measuring 182.7 inches in length (up 0.6 inches), 71.5 inches in width (2.2 inches wider than last year) and 56.9 inches in height (an aerodynamic lowering of 2 inches) on a 106.8-inch wheelbase (0.5 inches greater), with a pavement-scraping minimum ground clearance of 4.9 inches. 

The 2020 Sentra's all-new interior is more refined, more touch-oriented and more luxurious – above expectations in the compact sedan segment. Attention to detail and craftsmanship can be found throughout the interior, with satin chrome aluminum accents, the intuitive placement of controls, contrast seat stitching and a standard D-shaped steering wheel. Standard features include Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats, which help optimize posture positioning for enhanced comfort during long distance driving. Other interior features include remote keyless entry with push button start, RearView Monitor and Rear Door Alert.

With seating for five, Sentra offers a roomy 44.0 inches of front legroom (a gain of 1.5 inches) and a comfortable 37.4 inches of rear legroom. Headroom is cramped up front at 37.5 inches with sunroof (losing a half-inch over last year) and tight in the rear at 36.7 inches. Shoulder room exceeds niche expectations and gains 1.7 inches at 56.4 in row one and 54.5 for row two (up 0.6 inches).

Sentra's driving experience has also been upgraded. All 2020 Sentra models come equipped with the latest generation Xtronic transmission – no manual trans is offered. Sentra is now powered by a new, fuel-efficient 2.0-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine delivering 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque – increases of 25 hp and 21 lb-ft over the previous model. Sentra's top-level driving dynamics are provided by a new independent rear suspension matched to a McPherson strut front suspension with twin-tube shock absorbers. Also new are a responsive dual-pinion rack electric power steering system and Nissan Intelligent Trace Control technology, both standard. With an EPA rating of 28mpg/city and 37mpg/highway, my week of mixed-use tests yielded an average of 32.3mpg.

Even with the power increase, Sentra still performs as one expects a compact to act. Passing at speed and accelerating uphill should be strategized, and at the track, Sentra improves a bit. The last last-gen Sentra I tested was slow, at a 9.6-second dash and 17.6-second quarter-mile. The new-Gen perked up to 9.2 and 17.2. Steering was predictable with lessened understeer.

Available in three trim levels, the base 2020 Sentra S starts at $19,090. The SV trim Sentra starts at $20,270, and added 16-inch Aluminum-alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, Premium Cloth seat trim, 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display, Apple CarPlay® integration and more. The premium The SR trim I tested comes with 18-inch Aluminum-alloy wheels, Dark chrome V-Motion grille, Chrome exhaust finisher and more, and starts at $21,430. My test SR, in Two-Tone Monarch Orange Metallic / Super Black exterior paint, for an extra $595, played off a Charcoal Sport Leatherette Interior as part of the $2170 SR Premium Package that was loaded with an Intelligent Around View® Monitor, Power sliding glass moonroof with tilt feature, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, 6-way power adjustable driver's seat with 2-way power lumbar, sport leatherette-appointed seats with contrast orange stitching, heated front seats and more. A Clear rear bumper protector was installed for $75, and an impact sensor was added for $125 (alerts you to denting and attempted break-ins). With Destination and Handling charges of $925, my 2020 Nissan Sentra SR as tested stickered at $25,320.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic and with the health and safety in mind of the Carlisle community, Carlisle Events staff as well as event guests and business partners, Carlisle Events has POSTPONED the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals benefiting Driven to Cure.  This event was originally scheduled for May 15-17.

The NEW, rescheduled dates for the Import & Performance Nationals are August 14-16, making this the latest this show has ever been held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  The new event date also shifts the pre-registration/10% Gate-N-Go deadline savings to July 13. 

While the show has a new late summer date, it’ll maintain many of its same great content.  This includes special displays like 100 Years of Mazda, 50 Years of the Nissan/Datsun Z, the race paddock, French car display in Building R and more.  Further competitions remain, including drift limbo, drifting and autocross via NICOFest, low car limbo and burnouts.  Also remaining in place is the charitable tie-in with Driven to Cure.  DTC is a non-profit 501 (c3) established to help raise awareness and provide funding for the research of rare kidney cancers like Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer (HLRCC) in children and young adults.  A portion of participant dollars benefit DTC.

“Historically, this event is our first specialty show of the season, truly jump-starting the car show excitement at Carlisle,” noted Carlisle Events co-owner Bill Miller.  “So many things are changing daily with this global pandemic and we feel it’s best for the safety and health of all involved to transition the show from its original May dates to the new August 14-16 dates,” continued Miller.  “We’ll continue to follow all guidelines and directives set forth by relevant parties as well as state, local and national officials.   Car shows WILL happen at Carlisle again soon and for our regular Import & Performance Nationals guests, I look forward to seeing everyone in Carlisle August 14-16, 2020.”

Ultimately, offering a safe and fun environment for everyone is THE most important part of this new event date.  Finally, spectator tickets, registrations of all types including Showfield, vendor spaces, etc. will be honored for the new dates. 

During this event, as well as others on the schedule, Carlisle Events will continue to be proactive from a health and sanitation standpoint within the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and Carlisle Expo Center.

• Carlisle Events and its neighboring properties will be adding additional sanitizer stations to the food court, entry gates AND guest services.
• ALL ticket takers and hand stampers will be offered gloves and hand sanitizer that is 60% (or greater) alcohol.
• Carlisle Events has secured a disinfectant from the suggested CDC list that quickly kills viruses and bacteria. This, combined with portable hand sprayers will be utilized in bathrooms, food court, vendor services, guest services and within the Carlisle Expo Center as part of auctions and third party events.
• Make available disinfectant wipes and sanitizer at ticket booths, vendor services and guest services.
• Communicate these measures to our guests, staff and business partners.
• Additional measures and suggested healthcare guidelines are available on the CDC web page.

For details regarding the 2020 Carlisle Events schedule, the NEW Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals event dates in August, tickets or to register for the Showfield, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855.

Traditionally, there are few vehicles with the rugged and versatile history of Jeep. From its U.S. Army beginnings in 1941 as a general purpose 4-wheel-drive light military vehicle, to its CJ Civilian Jeep production in 1945, to its evolution as a rugged, sports-utility vehicle with ever-progressing luxury, connectivity and capability, Jeep has earned a reputation as a tough, dependable and sporty conveyance for in-town and off-road function.

Building on that rich heritage, the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator combines Jeep’s iconic styling with the features of a pick-up truck to become a true sports-utility vehicle … a Jeep truck. Now, there WAS a full-size Jeep Gladiator truck from 1962-1988, known as the Jeep J-Series after 1971, but THIS Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pick-up truck that is brand new for the 2020 model year, and is Jeep’s first pick-up truck model since it discontinued Comanche in 1992.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator certainly plays on Jeep’s iconic look and social distances itself from the competition with that look.  And it is designed for work ... real truck work … and play … traditional Jeep play.

Based on the Jeep Wrangler SUV, Gladiator is recognizable as a Jeep, from the seven-slot grille seen on Wrangler, but with widened the grille slots for additional air intake to assist with the increased towing capacity. The top of the keystone-shaped grille is gently swept back to enhance aerodynamics. A full-sized spare tire, normally mounted on the Wrangler's rear tailgate, is mounted underneath the cargo bed of the Gladiator. The truck has front and rear doors that can be fully removed, as well as a windshield that can be lowered (like the Wrangler JL, Jeep includes a tool kit with the tools necessary to remove the doors and lower the windshield). Gladiator models equipped with LEDs feature daytime running lights, which form a halo around the outside perimeter of the headlights. Forward turn signals are positioned on the front of the trapezoidal wheel flares.

From behind, traditional square tail lamps feature available LED lighting and give way to a wide tailgate opening for unobstructed loading of cargo into the bed. The tailgate is damped and capable of stopping in three positions, while cargo is easily secured with a power-locking tailgate. And the truck bed isn’t just for looks. It is fully functional and work worthy. The 5-foot high-strength steel bed utilizes four steel cross-members to reinforce the load floor while the aluminum tailgate is damped. Utility and versatility are maximized with strong integrated tie-downs and under-rail bed lighting.

Built at Toledo Supplier Park, Toledo, Ohio the mid-size pick-up measures 218.0 inches long, 74.1 inches high with the hard top, and 73.8 inches wide on a 137.3-inch wheelbase, for a ground clearance of 11.1 inches. The Rubicon with an automatic transmission weighs in at a robust 5072 lbs.

Inside, the Gladiator combines Jeep style, versatility, comfort and intuitive feature use. Precision craftsmanship and high-quality materials are found throughout the cabin. The heritage-inspired center stack features a clean, sculpted form that complements the horizontal dashboard design. Soft-touch surfaces enhance tech items such as intuitive placement of climate and volume control knobs, media charging and connectivity ports, and Engine Stop. A U-Connect 4C Navigation system with 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard as is a push-button starter, featuring a weather-proof surround.

The cabin is niche-roomy, and provides 40.8 inches of front and rear row headroom in the hardtop, 41.2 inches of front legroom with 38.3 inches in row two, and 55.7 inches of front and rear shoulder room.

Gladiator is powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Combined with either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission, the setup focuses on low-end torque – good for off-roading and hauling heavy loads – the automatic has a trailer tow rating of 7000 lbs. The system is rated at 17mpg/city, 22mpg/highway and 19 mpg/combined for the automatic. A 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine is also an option, rated at 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft. of torque. My 3.6 accelerated smoothly and predictably and finished off a hand-timed zero-to-60mph sprint in 8.2 seconds during a 16.2-second quarter-mile. A week of mixed-use tests and some off-road trails ended with an average consumption of 18.6mpg. I found Gladiator off-road capable, highway adequate and in-town cool and fun to drive.

The 2020 Jeep Gladiator is available in five trims, from the base Sport at $33,545 to the top-of-the-line Rubicon at $43,875. My fully loaded Rubicon in Firecracker Red added an 8-speed automatic transmission for $2000. Cosmetically, body-color fender flares were added for $495; a body-color three-piece removable hard top for $1100; spray-in bedliner for $495; Black leather-trimmed bucket seats for $1495; an Alpine Premium Audio system added $1295; all-weather slush mats added $165; hardtop headliner added $555; a trailer tow package was $350; the Jeep Active Safety Group (Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection, ParkSense® Rear Park-Assist System, LED Tail Lamps) was $995; and Adaptive Cruise Control/Forward Collision Warning added $795. Now, that was $12,035 in options, and with $1495 in destination charges, my 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon stickered at $57,405.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>