Honda Pilot meets, exceeds expectations

The world around it may have downsized, but Honda’s Pilot stays big for eight good reasons. One for each seat. To be sure, the Pilot is not the only midsize crossover with seating for eight, but the argument can be made that it satisfies the demands of the class more completely than any competitor. Spacious? Check. That boxy shape may look a bit clunky, but it produces scads of headroom, legroom and cargo space. Pilot’s second- and third-row seating is roomy enough for adults and with all the seats in the upright position, there’s still room for gear, groceries and what-have-you. Few rigs — especially in the midsize segment — accommodate more people and cargo simultaneously. Utility? Check. Useful cubbies and storage spaces riddle the cabin. Most of them are covered, hiding your personal stuff from prying eyes. Second- and third-row seating is split 60/40, allowing families to create the ideal seating chart. If you tow, FWD Pilots will lug up to 2,000 pounds; AWD models are good to 4,500 pounds. Efficiency? Check. Few midsize crossovers match the Pilot’s EPA-estimated economy of 18 city/25 highway for front-drive models and 17/24 for AWD variants. Other factors play into the buying decision and in some matters, the Pilot is playing catch-up. Most notably, Honda is scrambling to gain ground in the crucial comfort-and-cabin-tech campaign. A mid-cycle refresh last year brought upgraded interior materials, a revised instrument panel, a new control-panel layout and upgraded navigation. This year, the standard-features list grows to include Bluetooth handsfree connectivity, Bluetooth audio, a USB smartphone interface, tri-zone automatic climate control, a high-resolution 8-inch multi-information display and a rearview camera. Still to come: keyless entry and ignition, a feature we’re only just beginning to see from Honda. All Pilot models are powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. Those aren’t overwhelming numbers in a car that weighs 4,300 pounds, but they get the job done — and with surprising efficiency. One assumes that somewhere in the Honda complex, a transmission team is working up the Pilot’s next-gen gearbox. The existing five-speed does everything it should, and does it well, but almost certainly another gear or two would boost mileage and perhaps acceleration as well. Front-wheel drive is standard, with AWD available on all trims. The system is front-wheel biased, but routes up to 70 percent of available torque to the rear wheels if the front wheels slip. Should you stick your Pilot in snow, mud or sand, a driver-selectable “lock” feature maintains maximum torque to the rear wheels at low speeds. Ride quality is outstanding, but at the expense of handling. In the corners, the Pilot is a big softie. While few rigs are more comfortable than the Pilot, pizazz isn’t in the Honda playbook. Everything here is well sorted — controls work intuitively and have the proper heft and feel — but the confines are a bit somber. Nevertheless, when capacity, versatility and efficiency matter — saying nothing of Honda’s vaunted quality — there are more good reasons than eight to give the Pilot your nod. Don Adair is a Spokane-based freelance writer. He can be contacted at don@dadair.com. 2013 Honda Pilot AWD Touring Vehicle base price: $29,520 Trim level base price: $41,270 As tested: $42,100 Optional equipment: Our AWD Touring tester included no additional optional equipment. EPA ratings: 17 city/24 highway Regular unleaded fuel specified