2010 Honda Pilot: Spread your wings

Cars

By Art Voss, Motor Matters

Last update: December 10, 2009 - 11:10 AM

The 2010 Honda Pilot projects a sporty, high-tech image in a tough and durable package. The basic form is bold with a blend of contemporary edge treatment.

The Pilot is an eight-passenger, midsize crossover SUV. It comes in four levels of trim: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring, each of which is available in either two- or four-wheel-drive configurations. My test Pilot was a Touring 4WD model with Rear Entertainment System and Navigation.

Power comes from a 3.5-liter, SOHC, 24-valve, i-VTEC V-6 with Variable Cylinder Management and electronic multi-point fuel injection. Power is delivered through an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission to the driving wheels.

The Honda Pilot Touring with the Rear Entertainment and Navigation Packages represents an ideal vehicle for a family adventure. The ride quality is both smooth and comfortable, without any typical SUV bouncy stiffness.

Power is plentiful, with a broad torque range for doing mid-duty, off-road ventures. Should one need more room, a trailer would be an alternative with the Pilot's 4,500-pound load-towing capability. The gearshift is ideally positioned in the upper part of the center console to avoid intrusion when selecting gears.

The Pilot crossover blends car-like road manners with around-town driving ease. Should one wish to take their Pilot seriously off-road, the ground clearance is eight inches, the approach angle 27.8-degrees and the departure angle 24.5 degrees.

Amenities include: Variable Cylinder Management; tailgate with lift-up glass hatch; standard integrated tow hitch; Hill Start Assist; Humidity Control System as part of standard air conditioning; four Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH), (increased from two); driver's and front passenger's active head restraints; tilt and telescopic steering column; aluminum hood; and, on Touring models only, Interface Dial with Scrolling and Multi-Line Display, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and power tailgate.

The three rows of seating provide versatility and adaptability to accommodate both passengers and cargo carrying requirements. The first row consists of two supportive and comfortable bucket-style seats, providing a commanding road view, with a wide center stack and center console forming the interior design styling anchor, suggesting spaciousness.

The 60/40-split second row, which is more spacious, slides further forward for increased third-row access ease. The third-row also splits 60/40 and now supplies additional knee room for an above-average-sized adult to fit comfortably. Each side of the second and third row folds down independently for cargo, and a flat floor is created when the second and third rows are folded down.

Overall, the Pilot continues to evolve into an even more exceptional vehicle, capable of serving in a myriad of transportation roles in an economically and ecologically sound package, thanks to its ideal size and enhanced fuel economy.

EPA fuel economy:

City: 16, Highway: 22

Base Price:

$40,245 (as tested, $40,955)

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