| Like its brethren, the CR-V, Odyssey and new | | | | |
| Element, the Pilot | | | | second and third-row seats each comfortably |
| | | | seat three passengers. |
| completes Honda's best-buy SUV and van line. | | | | |
| And like any of those | | | | Although unused during my test week, second |
| | | | and third-seat |
| offerings or anything else in Honda's | | | | |
| arsenal, it's hard to find serious | | | | passengers can view DVDs from a screen that |
| | | | pops down from the |
| fault with the Pilot.Introduced in late | | | | |
| 2003, the Pilot replaced the Passport and it | | | | second-seat ceiling. Headphones are stored |
| shares the | | | | in a map/accessory |
| | | | |
| same basic chassis and powertrain as the | | | | compartment behind the driver's seat.All |
| MDX, the complementary | | | | three Pilot models have a long list of |
| | | | standard features: tilt steering |
| choice from Honda's upscale Acura | | | | |
| division.My test drive for the week was the | | | | wheel, cruise control, 60/40 split folding |
| top of the line's EX L 4-door wagon | | | | second and third seats, power |
| | | | |
| that includes both a navigation system and | | | | mirrors, windows and doors locks, remote |
| second seat DVD | | | | keyless entry and AM/FM/CD |
| | | | |
| entertainment system. With those additions, | | | | player, among other items. The EX and EX-L |
| the Pilot further enhances | | | | models include a six-disc |
| | | | |
| its position at the forefront of the midsize | | | | changer, steering wheel radio controls, |
| SUV ranks that include the | | | | automatic-off headlights and |
| | | | |
| Ford Explorer, Nissan Murano and Toyota | | | | allow wheels. Leather upholstery, heated |
| Highlander.The three Pilot models all offer a | | | | front seats, power sunroof and |
| V6, 255-horsepower engine paired | | | | |
| | | | heated power mirrors are standard on the |
| only with a 5-speed automatic transmission. | | | | EX-L model only.Despite its best-buy status, |
| The HP total represents an | | | | the Pilot does have two less-than- |
| | | | |
| increase of six percent from the 2004 model, | | | | spectacular considerations: curtain side |
| further adding to the | | | | airbags are not available on |
| | | | |
| vehicle's status among the quicker midsize | | | | any model, and its fuel rating of 17 in city |
| SUVs. It has a 0-60 mph test | | | | driving and 22 in highway use |
| | | | |
| rating of 7.9 seconds.Further performance | | | | is fine for its category but hardly an |
| areas for the Pilot are all ranked at least | | | | economical plus.Nevertheless, the Pilot |
| average or | | | | overall is an ideal family vehicle. It's |
| | | | spaciously |
| above. The driver sits "tall" in the | | | | |
| vehicle, so steering and handling are | | | | designed, practical and fits well in the |
| | | | Honda family known not only |
| fine for the car's type. But it should never | | | | |
| be mistaken for anything other | | | | performance and reliability, but for a |
| | | | strong position in the resale market.2005 |
| than a SUV with cornering | | | | Honda PilotSafety features -- Front side |
| limitations.Braking is strong and the | | | | airbags, anti-lock 4-wheel disc |
| standard all-wheel-drive system seems well- | | | | |
| | | | brakes, rear-obstacle detection system. tire |
| suited for trails and in inclement weather | | | | pressure monitor, rearview |
| conditions.Like other Hondas, controls and | | | | |
| instrumentation as well as styling and | | | | camera.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 17 mpg |
| | | | (city), 22 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper |
| indoor space are thoughtful and styled | | | | to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; |
| simply. The automatic shift lever | | | | |
| | | | Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.Base |
| is located behind the right side of the | | | | price range -- $34,120.James Raia is a |
| steering wheel and doesn't block | | | | syndicated journalist in Sacramento, |
| | | | California, who |
| access to other controls. But it's also too | | | | |
| easy to shift in and out of | | | | writes about sports, fitness, travel and |
| | | | lifestyle topics as well as the car |
| transmission settings.The pilot is an | | | | |
| eight-passenger vehicle, with little | | | | review colum, The Weekly Driver. |
| compromise. The | | | | |