Honda's mid-size Pilot SUV is as versatile as a blue suit. With a functional, no-frills interior and a buttoned-down exterior, the Pilot looks equally at home at a wedding or a picnic. Our EX-L, frontwheel- drive tester represents one of the volume leaders in the Pilot line, according to the folks at Honda of Cleveland. Sales representative Paul Gamble said the Pilot's demographic sweet spot is outdoor-oriented families, with the principle driver often between 30 and 55 years old. "It's an alternative to a minivan in a lot of instances," Mr. Gamble said.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: One of the joys of test-driving a car outside of Chattanooga is sampling local radio. As I tooled around Cleveland, a broadcast of the Cleveland High School Blue Raiders baseball game came to life through the Pilot's speakers. This added to my impression of the Pilot as a comfortable, non-pretentious ride. The 250-horsepower V-6 is not the quietest power plant on the road, but it has muscle to spare. Although the Pilot has the commanding seating height that SUV-owners crave, it has a tight ride that never jostles or wallows. The Pilot uses Honda's ingenious variable cylinder management system to increase highway fuel efficiency by shutting down up to three cylinders at cruising RPMs.
STYLING: The Pilot was last redesigned in 2009, and the interior still feels fresh. The third-row seat is roomy as SUV back rows go. Gauges are easy-to-read in black on white. Seats are supportive, and arm rests are enormous. Storage abounds- the glove box is the size of a bread box. Our EX-L tester included tasteful leather seating surfaces, 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and memory seats. All Pilots are equipped with side curtain air bags that encompass all three rows of seating. On the outside, the Pilot has a bold angular grille with conservative body lines that should age well.
BOTTOM LINE: Well equipped at $35,753, the Pilot scores high on the value meter. It has everything most SUV owners want, without a lot of pricey icing. High resale values and legendary Honda durability make the Pilot a low risk/high reward investment.
TEST DRIVE
TESTED MODEL: 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L.
ENGINE: 3.5 liter V-6, 250 horsepower.
TRANSMISSION: Five-speed automatic.
FUEL ECONOMY: 23 mpg highway, 17 mpg city.
BASE PRICE: $33,845.
PRICE AS TESTED: $35,753.
