Honda Pilot
Master of the middle ground
|
  |
By Richard J. Newman
|
NITS: There's no dual-zone climate control, which is overkill for spoiled drivers but is nonetheless becoming standard on cars in the Pilot's price range.
G-FORCES: The 3.5-liter V-6 engine was plenty peppy. Ride and handling were very solid for a midsize SUV, firm yet forgiving on the straight and narrow but a little tilty on corners.
GIZMOLOGY: The dashboard was laid out very cleanly. The radio and climate system were separated by air-conditioning vents, which had a simplifying effect. Large control knobs made both easy to use.
KID MARKS: The Pilot seems designed by people with kids of their own. Post-toddlers will want to claim the third row as their own, which is a great arrangement since it's a bit too cramped for grown-ups. There's also an extra tether hook for securing a car seat back there. The second row is plenty spacious too, with an "activity tray" on the armrest that could function as a food holder or a game table or a barrier between two quarreling rugrats. Kids will claim some of the storage compartments as their own, too.
HOT OR NOT? Not. The Pilot is stylish but doesn't turn heads. Honda stuck with a conservative design that looks like an amalgam of SUVs over the past five years: Slightly muscular and a bit boxy with a purposeful snout.
ENVIROMETER: Not yet given a "green vehicle" rating by the EPA. Mileage is 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway.
CRASH COURSE: Has not been crash tested by the government or by private rating organizations. Honda says it expects the Pilot to receive the government's highest ratings for frontal and side-impact crashes.
PRICE POINTS: Base prices range from $27,360 to $32,480. Price as tested: $32,480. All prices include delivery fees.
MORE INFO: http://pilot.honda.com
|
Model year tested: 2003
When I first climbed into the Honda Pilot, I expected perfection. Honda is rarely the first to market with trendy new classes of cars But once other automakers have broken the ground, it likes to sweep in with competing models that offer better quality and more innovation. With the SUV market evolving from adolescence to maturity, auto junkies have been sitting on the edge of their hoods to see how Honda would raise the bar for midsize SUVs. Would the Pilot be the ultimate "crossover," mixing carlike smoothness with off-road moxie? Would it have some control over its thirst for gas? Would it butter my toast and brew my coffee?
First impressions were reassuring. Controls were laid out smartly and tastefully. The center console in the front seat had copious storage space, carved into convenient compartments. Steering felt good. The ride was soft. Then I went barreling down a winding exit ramp … and the Pilot tilted and swayed just like every other top-heavy SUV does on curves. I hit the brakes to keep from skidding, then realized it was foolish to think that the engineers at Honda had the ability to outsmart physics. The Pilot was a mere truck after all.
Once I had cracked the Honda halo, it was easier to enjoy the Pilot. It didn't have the milky maneuverability of crossovers like the Toyota Highlander, which is built on a car chassis. Nor did it offer the zesty handling of the MDX, made by Honda's Acura division, even though the Pilot shares a platform with the MDX. But the Pilot was comfortable on the highway and just small enough to be manageable around town. The 3.5-liter, six-cylinder engine was plenty powerful, my only complaint being a bit of a lag after you push the pedal. And once I learned not to expect racecar handling, I was satisfied with the road feel.
The interior made me feel good but not pampered, which is one of the Pilot's key selling points. The dash seemed uncluttered even though it had all the controls most drivers will ever need. The storage spaces could have been designed by California Closets–every inch of the interior had an important role to play. There were large map pockets along the bottoms of all four doors, a phone cradle, webbed magazine holders on the seatbacks, and cup holders just about anywhere your hand might rest. Tie-down hooks lining the rear cargo space made it easy to secure a barbecue grill for a long ride. Oh, in addition to all that, the standard third-row seat allows space for eight, and four power outlets will let half of them talk on cellphones at the same time. Maybe you should just keep the Pilot to yourself.
 In the market for a new car? Use our auto search for more information.
Is there a car you would like us to review? Send your suggestion to test-track@usnews.com.
Return to the auto page to view more reviews.
|
