Honda Korea has launched sales of its latest SUV model, the New Pilot 2017, less than a week after unveiling its new Accord Hybrid, the company announced Monday.

“There continues to be growing interest … in the Pilot series because of its design, safety and space utilization, especially in a consumer culture of meticulous comparison that focuses on safety and fuel efficiency,” said Honda Korea CEO Chung Woo-young, in the company’s press release Monday.

The new SUV is the model’s third generation in Korea and can hold up to eight passengers. The vehicle also features a 284-horsepower, 3.5-liter, V-6 engine with a combined fuel rating of 8.9 kilometers per liter (7.8 km per liter for city driving and 10.7 km per liter on highways).

While maintaining the safety and driving performance of its prior models, the new Pilot has gotten “smarter,” as the 2017 model has been installed with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to improve its smart device accessibility.

Consumers here can purchase the vehicle in a new color, “modern steel,” in addition to the existing silver, black and white options, the company said.

The New Pilot 2017 has the same starting price as its predecessors, at 54.6 million won ($46,902), including value-added tax.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)