Review
Introduction
The Honda Pilot, which launched in 2002 as a 2003 model, was one of the first crossover vehicles to offer three rows of seating. Built on a unibody platform shared with the Odyssey minivan and loosely based on the Accord, the Pilot weighed substantially less, felt more carlike, and returned better fuel economy than its body-on-frame competition.
In recognition of the Pilot’s all-around excellence, we awarded the Pilot a 5Best Trucks award for large sport-utility vehicles from 2003 to 2007. For 2008, the Pilot finally fell off the list in favor of the newer and sportier Mazda CX-9. Still, the Pilot offers a good driving experience, strong acceleration for its class, and enough interior space for eight people plus cargo. All Pilots are powered by a 244-hp version of Honda’s familiar 3.5-liter V-6 that boasts fuel-saving cylinder deactivation. However, EPA fuel-economy estimates are a relatively thirsty 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for a two-wheel-drive Pilot and 15/20 for four-wheel-drive models.
Now entering its sixth model year, the Pilot exists in a world filled with newer three-row crossover vehicles and is beginning to feel a bit dated. It’s good, then, that a replacement for the current Pilot is due for the 2009 model year.
The 2008 Pilot is available in four trim levels (VP, EX, SE, and EX-L), and each offers front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. In the three-row-SUV category, the Pilot faces competition from the Buick Enclave, the Dodge Journey, the Ford Explorer, the Ford Taurus X, the GMC Acadia, the Hyundai, the Jeep Commander, the Mazda CX-9, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Saturn Outlook, and the Toyota Highlander.
Verdict
The Pilot is an excellent SUV that exhibits carlike handling and easily hauls up to eight people and their goods. Although the competition has copied the Pilot’s formula and subsequently caught up in the past six years, the Pilot still offers three-row comfort for about $30,000.
Click here to read our full review of the Honda Pilot.
Click here to read our latest comparison test involving the Honda Pilot.
What’s New for 2008
The Pilot offers two new trim levels: VP (Value Package) and SE (Special Edition). The Pilot VP replaces the Pilot LX trim level at the bottom of the lineup; the SE trim level slots into the hierarchy above the Pilot EX and below the Pilot EX-L. Honda is preparing to launch an all-new Pilot for 2009.
