Honda Pilot (2006-2015)

Overview

Honda Pilot, carrying a Japanese brand logo was initially introduced in 2002 and from then this mid-size crossover SUV has been doing really well in the auto industry. Primarily it was the largest SUV manufactured by Honda featuring three-row seating arrangement and sitting on the same platform as Accord sedan, Acura MDX, and Odyssey minivan. Rugged yet refined, this SUV is true in its character without slightest of compromise in the style. “BIG” in its first glance, as it appears the SUV is big on space, performance, and safety. The car is muscular and heroic in its appeal with its old box like structure and eye pleasing features like aggressive chrome horizontal radiator grille, multi-reflector halogen headlights, fog lamps, side mirrors with signal lights, neatly carved wheel arches with 17-inch alloy wheels, neatly designed taillights, and double exhaust pipe. The dimensions measure 4875 mm long, 1995 mm wide, and 1845 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2775 mm. Contrasting the boxy look outside, the interiors are elegant and well finished with plush elements and soft touches. The three-row seats give ample space for eight passengers to accommodate easily. The folding rear seat increases the cargo space to store luggage of all passengers. The center console is logically laid out where everything falls easily in drivers reach. The steering wheel has audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth buttons mounted on it, thus, allowing the driver to concentrate on the road while operating the functions as well. The comfort features include tri-zone climate control air conditioning system with independent controls for all three rows each, 8-inch high-resolution QVGA multi-information display which gives all necessary information related to the ride. The seats, steering wheel, and gear box, all are leather wrapped giving a premium feel. Powering the Honda Pilot is a 3.5 L i-VTEC 24 valve engine producing maximum power of 257 PS at 5700 rpm and maximum torque of 347 Nm at 4800 rpm. The power is supplied to all four corners through a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine is supported by variable cylinder management system which helps it in increasing the fuel economy which reads as 18 mpg in city and 25 mpg on highways. The stereo and accessories are both prime and proper making journeys pleasurable. A Module-type single CD in-dash with MP3 and WMA playback capability, along with 2GB flash memory, USB connection and jack facility really allows to enjoy music which is either stored inside or stored on your device. The 7 speakers along with 1 subwoofer are properly placed in this big car so that passengers at front and rear can easily enjoy the music. The antenna at the top further helps to catch signals so that even radio music can be enjoyed at times for a change. The safety of the car is again big with features like compatibility engineering TM body structure, front airbags, curtain airbags with roll-over sensor up till third row, 3-point ELR seat belts, LATCH system for children, MacPherson front suspension, Multi-link rear suspension, disc front brakes, drum rear brakes, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, and hills start assist really make it a car of all terrain and for everyone.

Mileage and Fuel economy

The Honda Pilot with its 3.5 L i-VTEC engine and variable cylinder management system, the fuel economy read as 18 mpg in city and 25 mpg on highways. The figures are decent not creating a hole in your pockets and keep that smile intact on your faces.

Power

Powering the Honda Pilot is a 3.5 L i-VTEC 24 valve engine which produces maximum power of 257 PS at 5700 rpm and maximum torque of 347 Nm at 4800 rpm. The power is supplied to all four corners through a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Acceleration & Pickup

Honda Pilot the rugged SUV that apart from displaying great figures on the power side is also good at acceleration and pick-up front. The pilot can run from nought to 100 km in a mere time frame of 9.7 seconds with a the top speed touching 250 km/h mark.

Exterior

Just like its big appearance, the car is big on style even though being a proper family car, it has not compromised on eye pleasing factors anywhere. The front has aggressive chrome horizontal radiator grille with multi-reflector halogen headlights and fog lights which make a great impression on the road. The side also has a heroic feel with roof rails on top, lines running on length, side mirrors with signal lights, and neatly carved wheel arches with 17-inch alloy wheels. The rear has clearly carved tailgate with glass hatch, double exhaust pipe, and taillights to impart light on roads for visibility of the vehicles running behind. Lastly, the panoramic sunroof on top allows the natural light to come in to give a good feel to passengers.

Exterior Measurements

The Honda Pilot measurements stand as 4875 mm long, 1995 mm wide, and 1845 mm tall. The wheelbase comes out to be 2775 mm. Thus, these measurements reflect that the car has a good height to go on any terrain and has good space inside to carry eight people comfortably on any kind of terrain.

Interior

Inside, the Honda Pilot is a lot different from its exterior boxy look. It is well finished and well designed with plush elements and soft touches. Adding to the versatility, is its setting pattern in three row where eight passengers of average height can easily accommodate. The seats recline and the ample legroom and headroom in all the seats really makes it a comfortable car. The cargo space is abundant and it further increases with folding third-row seats. The driver is also happy driving the Pilot as the centre console is logically laid out as everything is in drivers reach. The steering wheel has audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth buttons mounted on it, thus, allowing the driver to concentrate on the road while operating functions.

Interior Comfort

The comfort and convenience features are ample in this big Honda Pilot where not only the driver but passengers also enjoy every single ride. There is a tri-zone climate control air conditioning system with independent controls for all three rows. The 8-inch high-resolution QVGA multi-information display gives all necessary information related to the journey. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather draped gear shift knob gives a good feel to eyes and to driver's hand. The front door courtesy lights, front map lights, and second and third-row reading lights really ease out in the dark. The cup holders, back seat pocket, and other such small storage areas really serve the utility front.

Interior Measurements

In sync with its exterior measurements, the interior is spacious as its proper designing has ensured that the car does not only have clean placement of equipment but also give ample legroom, headroom, and comfortable seating to all eight passengers. Moreover, the rear folding seat option increases the boot space to easily put in the luggage of entire family.

Engine and Performance

Powering the Honda Pilot is a 3.5 L i-VTEC 24 valve engine which produces maximum power of 257 PS at 5700 rpm and maximum torque of 347 Nm at 4800 rpm. The power is supplied to all four corners through a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine is supported by variable cylinder management system which helps it in increasing the fuel economy. The combined fuel economy reads out near to be 14.9 L/100 km.

Stereo and Accessories

Taking care of your entertainment and not letting you get bored in the journey, Honda has fitted the Pilot with a Module-type single CD in-dash with MP3 and WMA playback capability, this system also supports 2GB flash memory and USB connection and jack facility which really allows one to enjoy music which is either stored inside or stored on your device. The 7 speakers along with subwoofer are properly placed in this big car so that passengers at front and rear can easily enjoy the music. The antenna at the top further helps to catch signals so that even radio music can be enjoyed at times for a change.

Wheels

Enabling it to run on roads and giving a completeness to its looks, are its 17-inch alloy wheels with 245/65R size tires which give a good hold on roads and allow it to run long distances.

Braking and Handling

Honda Pilot has 4-wheel drive system where its MacPherson front suspension, Multi-link rear suspension, disc front brakes, drum rear brakes, and anti-lock braking system along with electronic brake force distribution really ensures efficient braking and handling. Adding to its handling efficiency is the cruise control function and smooth steering wheel which really monitors the speed and keep the car in control at the time of cornering, rough or smooth patch of the journey.

Safety and Security

Talking about this front, Honda has kept its brand name by ensuring that its Pilot comes out big on the safety side too. It's advanced compatibility engineering TM body structure acts as a safety shield for occupants inside. Front airbags along with curtain airbags with roll-over sensor up till the third row really protect the passengers from injuries. The 3-point ELR seat belts keep all 8 passengers intact in seats. The LATCH system for children is another major safety feature for your little-loved ones. Other safety features include vehicle stability assist, alarm and immobilizer system, second and third-row adjustable head restraints. All these features ensure a safe ride with Honda Pilot.

Pros

• Interiors are lavish
• Seating capacity and cargo space is appropriate

Cons

• Nothing distinctive in styling
• Lack of updated safety features