2010 Honda Pilot High on Comfort and Versatility, Right on Size for Families

This is the first review I've seen of the 2010 Honda Pilot, expect ZERO changes in the Pilots from the 09's, so for all we know the reviewer was actually reviewing a 2009 anyway. I do know one thing and that is that 2010's are right around the corner.
The FINANCIAL -- The 2010 Honda Pilot crossover combines car-like road manners and around-town driving ease with the most sought-after SUV traits by virtue of its spacious interior, rugged character and all-weather confidence.

"The Pilot crossover offers practical SUV capabilities with the driving sophistication and refinement that people expect from a Honda," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of Product Planning for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The combination of spacious eight-passenger seating, a comfortable ride and advanced fuel-saving technology help make the Pilot one of the most accommodating vehicles for children, work, errands and for longer trips with family and friends."

The 250-horsepower V-6 engine provides both performance and enhanced efficiency with Variable Cylinder Management, a technology that can deactivate up to three of the engine's six cylinders to save fuel when cruising or lightly accelerating. The available Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel-Drive (VTM-4) enhances traction in rain, snow and slippery terrain. All models are equipped with a standard towing receiver and a maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds on 4WD models and 3,500 pounds on 2WD models1.

Consistent with contemporary SUV styling, the exterior conveys a bold and modular approach that also helps maximize interior space. Yet the Pilot still maintains a garage-friendly exterior size of less than 16 feet, requiring less space to park compared to other popular 8-passenger SUVs by a margin of 10 inches, and in some cases up to two feet.

The interior emphasizes an expansive feel with an efficient and modern design that supplies 152.7 cu-ft. of passenger space within three rows of seats. Adjustable storage compartments in the center console can accommodate items large and small from handbags to mobile phones. The instrument panel's wide center stack intelligently groups similar controls together for the audio system, climate controls and the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System and Honda DVD Entertainment System (if equipped). All models provide an auxiliary audio input jack for digital music players, and the Pilot Touring also includes Bluetooth HandsFreeLink™ and a USB audio interface2.

The first row provides a commanding view of the road from two bucket-style seats. The 60/40 split second row accommodates three passengers and slides forward for increased ease of access to the third row. The third row, also split 60/40, is designed to offer sufficient knee room for an average size adult. There are four Lower Anchor and Tether for Children (LATCH) attachment positions - more than any other crossover SUV - which provide options for three child seats in the second row and one in the third row. The 20.8 cu-ft of cargo space behind the third row matches or exceeds the trunk space of a typical large sedan and can accommodate items as large as a mid-size cooler or a folded stroller. A hidden storage well (2.8 cu-ft.) combines with the above floor storage area by securing the hinged floor panel against the seatback. Pilot EX-L and Touring models provide a load-supporting cargo net (20 pounds maximum weight) to further subdivide the rear cargo area. For maximum cargo, the second and third rows fold flat into the floor to create 87.0 cubic feet of storage capacity, while also providing sufficient width for 4-foot-wide items.

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure that can enhance frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. Additional safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control; three-row side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); active front seat head restraints; and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist. Since the 2009 model year, the Honda Pilot has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) best-possible crash safety rating3 of 5 stars for both frontal and side impact performance.

The Pilot is powered by an advanced 24-valve i-VTEC engine with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology. Variable Cylinder Management allows the V-6 engine to operate in six-cylinder mode for power and four- or three-cylinder modes for efficiency. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated4 city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/23/19 miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22/18 miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models. A 21-gallon fuel tank can comfortably provide a driving range of more than 400 miles on the highway.

The 5-speed automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to help maintain the most appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill, thereby avoiding gear "hunting." The VTM-4 system (available) adds fully automatic four-wheel-drive capability. VTM-4 delivers seamless, "decision-free" application of four-wheel-drive when needed, a key benefit compared to conventional systems. The system also provides a "lock mode" - available when in first or second gears (up to 18 mph) and activated by a button on the instrument panel - that can deliver the maximum-possible torque transfer to the rear wheels to aid in extraction from extremely low traction or stuck conditions.

The unit-body construction makes extensive use of high-strength steel (52 percent) to minimize weight. The suspension is a fully independent system with front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link with trailing arm designs that contribute to responsive driving characteristics for an SUV. The 109.2-inch wheelbase facilitates a smooth ride and standard 17-inch wheels with P245 65 R17 all-season tires combine both on- and off-road performance. A turning diameter of 38.6 feet aids maneuverability in tight parking situations.

The Pilot is available in four model choices (LX, EX, EX-L and Touring); each offered in either a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. Standard comfort and convenience features on the Pilot LX include a front and rear air conditioning system with air-filtration system, keyless entry, tilt and telescope steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver's and passenger's window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD stereo system with 7-speakers including subwoofer and Radio Data System (RDS), trip computer, digital compass, auto on/off headlights, heat-rejecting tinted glass, integrated class III towing receiver, and more.

The Pilot EX adds a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, a power driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, security system, XM Radio®5, body colored side mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, exterior temperature indicator, HomeLink Remote System, and more.

The Pilot EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger's seat, one-touch power moonroof, acoustic windshield glass, automatic-dimming rearview mirror with rearview camera display (EX-L-exclusive), and the availability of the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with 9-inch screen (which also upgrades to the Premium Audio System with 10 speakers including subwoofer and adds a 115-volt power outlet), and more.

The top-of-the-line Pilot Touring adds the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with rearview camera, Premium Audio System, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, USB Audio Interface, the availability of the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System, Multi-Information display, corner and backup sensors, exclusive alloy wheels, power tailgate, side-mirror integrated turn indicators, and more.

Source;
http://www.finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38731&Itemid=1