2009 Honda Pilot Review

Specifications

There were few surprises at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year … in fact it was a real snoozer. If I hadn’t seen the “new” introductions at the Frankfurt or LA shows first hand, or read about more unveilings as I was editing news stories and reviews about the Tokyo and Seoul shows, I edited stories on others leading up to Detroit as automakers tried to outdo each other by breaking big news before the big event. Even the carmakers that kept their secrets under wraps gave us in the media embargoed information pre-show, helping us to prepare ourselves for the week’s major news stories (thanks), but kind of ruining the wow factor at the same time. A few cars, mind you, were kept secret, making it past bloggers and spy sites unnoticed, with Detroit debuts that were refreshingly unexpected.

OK, I should have figured out that Honda was about to unveil its upcoming Pilot, being that I’d been on the launch program of Acura’s MDX last year and could easily have put two and two together to figure out the Pilot was next. But, for reasons I’m not entirely certain of, I forgot about Honda’s largest vehicle. And that’s not because I don’t like it. While I find its exterior styling amongst the more yawn-inducing currently on the SUV cum crossover market, I absolutely love living with it day in and day out. Every time Honda offers me one for a week I book it immediately and am always grateful, finding umpteen things to pick up and shuttle around thanks to its wonderfully accommodating interior. Its ride and handling compromise is more than acceptable too, and high-riding driving position, body friendly ergonomics and full-featured surroundings ideal for my family’s needs.

I suppose that’s why I liked what I saw in Detroit so much. I mean, what makes the current Pilot so good is its rather boxy, utilitarian shape. While some don’t like these designs, preferring the sleeker, rounder lines of Buick Enclaves, Hyundai Veracruz’s and Mazda CX-9s, not to mention Acura MDX’s, I’d rather live with rectangular profiles that offer greater functionality and more masculine character. Normally such SUVs are real SUVs, meaning that they’re conventional off-road vehicles like Land Rover’s LR3 and Jeep’s Wrangler. Going back this class was filled with Toyota Land Cruisers, Isuzu Troopers and Mitsubishi Monteros too, the forerunners (ahem) of the sport utility segment. Now, with the advent of the crossover, the auto industry’s answer to peoples’ collective disfavor with minivans, such 4×4s are rare. The fact that the Pilot mimics them in shape, at least, gives it more SUV credentials than its car-like competitors, although it’s still a car-based CUV.

Not unlike its architecture-sharing cousin, the Acura MDX, the new 2009 Pilot Prototype shows an edgier face than its forbearer. Where the current crossover is all soft-shoulders and ubiquitous curves, looking like a bloated previous-generation CR-V, the Detroit show vehicle is creases and folds most of its corners, a welcome departure for sure. And I suppose it’s really the revised grille that sets the tone here, being more like the new Accord in shape and attitude. Its six-sided design is chunkier than before, and now glittering in more chrome than any OEM Honda in history. There’s nothing at all new going on down below the bumper, with a rather average looking front fascia sporting integrated circular fog lights, although the headlight clusters, which are extremely large and butt up flush with the hood’s lower line, wrapping up, over and around the foremost edges of the SUV’s hood and front fenders, are probably its most controversial design element. Their complex makeup create a highly technical look all on their own, although their size and unorthodox design almost completely dominate eyeballs, so I can see how they might cause some dissention amidst Honda loyalists.

From the rear three-quarter angle it’s all Pilot, showing nothing particularly new except for a few more body creases and slightly reshaped taillights with an interesting lens design. A nice chrome rub strip runs along side, between the wheel arches, complementing the chrome up front and a thick horizontal piece over the rear license plate. Large six-spoke alloy wheels are chunky in design, adding to the Pilot’s rugged appearance.

Where the new prototype’s exterior design has been causing some controversy, its interior should be well accepted by critics and owners of the current vehicle. Materials have been upgraded, while the design is much more interesting than the first-generation SUV, although not over the top. I love the color combination used. Almost cream-like light beige on most surfaces offset with dark blue leather seats give it a rich, warm and inviting ambiance. Honda has contrasted the seats with beige piping and the dash with beautifully shimmering silver-blue faceplates for the gauges and center stack of ancillary controls, plus the rear seat interface that allows those in back to adjust their individual temperature settings. Metallic surfaces aren’t overbearing either, with satin-surface aluminum adorning the steering wheel, door pulls, switchgear, vents and dash-mounted shift lever.

Like the current Pilot, this prototype is configured for up to eight occupants in three rows and/or loads of cargo carrying capacity, making it one of the more accommodating in its class, although this new one is reportedly even roomier with greater luggage and passenger space, including more legroom for all occupants. And also like the 2003 through 2008 SUV, the 2009 model appears well proportioned on the outside. The current model, incidentally, is shorter in overall length than some crossovers attempting to pass themselves off as compact – the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent twins come to mind – making it highly maneuverable in parking lots.

The Pilot has never been considered a canyon carver, but it offers safe and secure handling with a comforting ride. The new one promises an even better ride and handling compromise, while Honda promises greater off-pavement talents, touting it as having medium-duty off-road capability.

Powering the upcoming Pilot will be Honda’s largest V6 with the latest version of the brand’s Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which now can shut down two or three cylinders depending on load or driving style, optimizing the SUV’s efficiency. Honda isn’t offering up any specific performance numbers, or for that matter the displacement of its V6, but it should arrive somewhere in the vicinity of Acura’s new MDX (probably slightly detuned), which sports a 300 horsepower 3.7L, DOHC, 24-valve V6 with 275 lb-ft of torque.

Of course, Honda will bridle all this performance with optional all-wheel drive, and a long list of active and passive safety features starting with standard traction and stability control, ABS-enhanced four-wheel disc brakes, a full assortment of airbags and its ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure, with the new SUV using more high-strength steel than any Honda product to date. Honda’s ACE system also reduces damage to smaller vehicles, and has been designed with pedestrian safety in mind too.

Of course, the next Pilot will be available with all of the usual standard and optional convenience features expected in this class, which will help it appeal to near premium class buyers who regularly gobble them up now. Still, we have no word on exactly what the menu will offer.

So, with so many questions still remaining and such core specifics like its powertrain left unanswered, we’re left guessing about a great deal. But that’s just the way Honda seems to want it. Only time will tell if this is the final product, or a teaser to something altogether different. My guess is that this is it, with only minor changes made before the production version is shown later this year. Either way the new Pilot will be a compelling vehicle, and most likely do very well.

Preliminary Specifications (2009 Honda Pilot Prototype):