NEW HONDA PILOT
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Car and Driver website visitor rankings:
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| Here's how our visitors have reviewed this vehicle. |
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Average Rating |
| Overall |
8.62 |
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| Vehicle Styling |
8.45 |
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| Braking |
8.79 |
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| Handling |
8.18 |
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| Fuel Economy |
7.39 |
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| Interior Comfort |
8.64 |
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| Acceleration |
8.86 |
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| Dependability |
9.02 |
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| Fit and Finish |
8.52 |
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| Transmission |
8.75 |
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| Ride |
9.09 |
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| Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best
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| To read other User Road Tests or to submit your own review click here |
(Read more of Car and Driver's review here)
| Editors'' Review |
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
One of the best crossover SUVs available, the Pilot is an excellent choice for active and large families in need of versatility.
Pros
Roomy interior with eight-passenger seating, versatile storage and cargo-hauling abilities, many standard features, comfortable ride.
Cons
Mediocre towing capacity, feels big behind the wheel.
What''s New for 2004
Leather-equipped EX models get heated seats and side mirrors as standard equipment. Honda has improved the navigation system this year with a larger database, and all models have improved walk-in accessibility to the third-row seat. All Hondas have a seatbelt reminder system added for 2004.
Overview
Introduction:
Now in its second year, the Pilot is Honda''s long-awaited reply to America''s massive appetite for midsize SUVs. It''s very similar mechanically to the popular Acura MDX, a vehicle itself based on the outstanding Odyssey minivan. Knowing that lineage alone should indicate to you that the Pilot is indeed something quite desirable. Honda''s goal for the Pilot is for it to be the ultimate American family adventure vehicle. To meet the challenge, the Pilot is equipped with seating for eight, a powerful V6 engine, a versatile interior, capable road handling and a reasonable level of off-road ability. It''s also tempered with Honda''s traditional strengths in dependability, quality, safety and environmental awareness.Third-row seating is all the rage with new midsize crossovers and SUVs, and the Pilot isn''t one to shirk from peer pressure. (Honda is marketing the Pilot as an SUV, but its car-based unibody construction and lack of a two-speed transfer case make us inclined to label it as a crossover.) The third row is virtually the same size as the MDX''s, but in this case it has three sets of adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts. Legroom is tight at 30.2 inches, so it''s best to limit the third row to children. Lowering the second- and third-row seats reveals an impressively large 90.3-cubic-inch cargo hold. Because of the Pilot''s wide stance, there''s sufficient clearance between the wheel wells to place wide items flat on the floor. If the second-row seats are in use, cargo capacity is 48.7 cubic feet. With the third row up, there''s still enough room for grocery bags, baby paraphernalia or a set of golf clubs. At more than 4,400 pounds, the Pilot isn''t a lightweight vehicle. And in terms of dimensions, it''s wider than, and just as long as, a Ford Explorer. Acceleration is more than adequate, however, thanks to the 240-hp V6. It''s equipped with Honda''s VTEC system, which gives the engine a wide power band and improved fuel economy. All Pilots come with an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. Called Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive (VTM-4), the Pilot''s system is the same as the one applied to the MDX. If you are shopping for an SUV, this is one you won''t want to skip over. Besides offering solid engineering and construction inside and out, it''s more intelligently packaged than any of its competitors: One large, comfortable cabin with seating for eight and one long list of standard features with a minimum of confusing options. Just choose your trim level and you''re ready to go. Although high demand early on made it difficult to find a Pilot and negotiate a reasonable price for one, an influx of new competitors, including the Nissan Murano, Mitsubishi Endeavor and Chrysler Pacifica, should make it considerably easier to bring home a Honda in 2004.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The four-door, eight-passenger Pilot comes in two trim levels: LX and EX. As is typical of Honda offerings, nearly everything is standard equipment. This includes a heavy-duty climate control system with rear-seat vents and ducts; cruise control; power windows, doors and locks; a rear window defroster; and a CD player. Going with the EX adds alloy wheels, auto-off headlamps, an eight-way power driver seat with lumbar, available leather seating, keyless entry, extra interior storage, automatic climate control, Homelink and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. On EX models with leather (EX-L), heated seats and side mirrors come standard, with a DVD-based navigation system and a DVD entertainment system available as options. If the nav system is ordered, the Pilot comes with a center stack-mounted 6-inch LCD display screen. The entertainment system includes a 7-inch flip-down LCD screen for second- and third-row occupants. Unfortunately, the nav and entertainment systems cannot be ordered together.
Powertrains and Performance:
The Pilot comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6. With only minor variations, it''s the same engine found in Acura''s MDX. The engine makes 240 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque. More power can be found in some domestic SUV offerings, but all are thirstier at the gas pump. Expect a 0-to-60 mph time of about 8.6 seconds. The engine''s power is routed through a five-speed automatic transmission. Equipped with the optional dealer-installed tow package, the Pilot''s trailer towing rating is 3,500 pounds. EPA mileage estimates are 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway.
Safety:
Antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) come standard, along with side airbags for front occupants. Head-protecting side curtain airbags and a stability control system are not available, though the sport-ute''s five-star government crash test ratings for both frontal and side impacts suggests that the Pilot is quite sturdy in a crash.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
The Pilot seats eight passengers, one more than the Odyssey minivan. The second- and third-row seats are positioned theater-style, meaning that they are elevated to give occupants a better outside view. Legroom for second-row passengers is quite good, but the tight third row is best suited for children. Both the second and third rows are split 60/40 and can be folded flat to expand the Pilot''s cargo capacity. Maximum cargo capacity is 90 cubic feet.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
As the Pilot features a stiff car-based unibody structure and a fully independent suspension, it is quite smooth and comfortable on normal roads. However, with a curb weight of more than two tons, there is no denying the Pilot''s bulk, and some drivers might find it a bit clumsy to drive. In terms of off-road ability, the Pilot can take on common hazards such as boat ramps, washed-out gullies and rough roads, but not much more.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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