Test Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot 4WD EX-L RES

Competes With: Ford Flex, Buick Enclave, Toyota Highlander

Test Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot 4WD EX-L RES

When Honda introduced the 2009 Honda Pilot, the company provoked skepticism of the Honda crossover SUV's worth by claiming to improve the 2009 Pilot "by adding more SUV-rugged aesthetics." Like temporary tattoos and designer-jeans-wearing bikers, that statement screamed "wannabe." If Honda had left out that statement about the 2009 Honda Pilot, and stuck to the Pilot's true merits, like utility, innovative storage, and vast amounts of cargo and passenger room, it would be easier to acknowledge the 2009 Honda Pilot as a functional and comfortable people mover, instead of having to look at it as "rugged" and "SUV-like." So we're going to do the 2009 Honda Pilot the favor that Honda didn't, and ignore the SUV hoopla and focus on what makes the 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L RES (Rear Entertainment System) an 8-passenger crossover you should consider purchasing.

While the 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L RES does have four-wheel drive, the lack of a low-range makes it better suited for running to Starbucks on snow-dusted streets before hitting the ski slopes than traveling snow-covered backcountry roads in search of virgin powder. But the good news is you can take seven of your ski buddies with you to get that morning caffeine fix before hitting the slopes and they'll all have cupholders for their lattes and a place to store their gloves, hats and goggles. Thanks to the RES, rear passengers can even watch Warren Miller's Higher Ground on the way. Moving people and their paraphernalia was never easier, and the Honda Pilot does it without overstating what makes it so. The Pilot's utility speaks for itself and it does so subtly.

The Engine

Like the rest of the Honda Pilot EX-L RES, the 3.5-liter V-6 engine doesn't command praising prose or disparaging detractions. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, the V-6 is simply the means of powering the Pilot, and when behind the wheel, little more thought is given to it than that. It accomplishes its tasks effortlessly and without protest, just quietly humming along, and providing adequate passing power when requested.

If the 250-horsepower engine has a fault, it's not performance, it's economy. We averaged just under 16 mpg traversing Southern California highways and byways during our week in the Pilot -- not an impressive number from a manufacturer known for being a fuel economy leader at a time when fuel consumption is more in the forefront of public scrutiny than ever. We wonder if that number could be improved if Honda offered a six-speed automatic as many competitors now do.

Ride & Handling

The 2009 Honda Pilot rides quietly, with only the slightest amount of wind noise coming from the side-view mirrors and may be even quieter then we give credit for. The cavernous interior is begging to bounce echoing road noise off its high roof and wide spaced side panels, so it could be that such a slight noise is magnified by the shear expanse of cabin space. But Honda has done a remarkable job of subduing such intrusions, and its not often that external noises penetrate this well insulated cocoon -- bumps are absorbed with little or no notice.

Maneuverability is a breeze for a vehicle of this size. The Honda Pilot steering is light and keeps the 8-passenger crossover nimble even in tight spaces. Rear visibility is hindered due to the Pilot's length, as is the case in all vehicles of this size, but a standard backup camera lends a hand when backing up in close quarters. Braking is responsive, and keeps the Pilot on track with no sign of fade.

Interior & Exterior

When they brought out the 2009 Honda Pilot at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, we were not impressed with its boxy styling or grille treatment, and little has changed. It's not a car that inspires. The Honda Pilot exists for one purpose and one purpose only: functional mass appeal.

How the 2009 Honda Pilot accomplishes this purpose is that it doesn't call attention to itself with cutting edge performance, flashy looks, or a sumptuous interior. Instead, the Pilot wins owners over with what it does: providing things most people didn't even know they needed or wanted, but who are now in a state of bliss because they have them. That's the magic of the Honda Pilot, as is the case with most Hondas. People aren't even aware that it's because of these subdued features they are so happy. All they know is that when they turn the key, they smile.

The Honda Pilot EX-L RES is subtle. The leather on the seats doesn't stand out. The high quality plastics on the dash and door panels are overlooked. These are understandable oversights, since they are not class-leading, but simply perfectly functional. It's the utility of the interior that is the real unsung hero of the Pilot -- the ability to store every item in its own cubby, tray or cupholder without giving it a second thought.

Admitting such a passion for organization is like confessing a secret fetish for pencil holders and desktop organizers and doing the automotive equivalent of drooling over the Staples catalog. Yet day-to-day, this is no small thing. From a roof mounted DVD screen that remains above the rearview mirror's line of sight even while in use, to the rear cargo hammock that doubles the useable floor space, the Pilot has an interior that just can't be beat for functionality... or understatement.

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  By Vernon Heywood