Road Beat: Honda Pilot, an almost perfect CUV

Third generation Honda Pilot has been with us about three years, commencing with the model year 2016. It was an all-new design and ride with the only carryover being the 3.5L V-6 and even that was tricked out a bit with direct injection and 30 more ponies and nine more pounds of twist. Transmissions also got better with a standard six-speeder (one extra gear) and in the Touring and Elite trim lines, you’ll get a nine-speeder, which picks achieves about one mpg in the ratings.

Outside is where the big changes over the second generation are obvious. Instead of a square two-box design, this new third generation picked up some style with curves, lines and a swept back look. The window line is no longer rectangular and the front end is sweeping. All this happens on a chassis and body (it is unibody construction) that has two more inches of wheelbase (111 inches), four more inches in length (195 inches) while maintaining the same 79 inches of beam. Height actually shrunk an inch to 70 inches.

So, if it looks sleeker, your eyes are not deceiving you. Pilot is a great looking ride.

Under the hood is a transverse mounted (the Pilot is not just based on the Acura MDX, but the Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline, my favorite midsize pickup as well.) 3.5L V-6 SOHC, 24 valve, direct injected engine belting out 280 hp at 6,000 rpm, and 262 pounds of twist at 4,700 rpm. It may not sound like a lot of moxie for 4,319 pounds of avoir du pois, but it turns out to be an excellent motivator with 60 mph arriving in just 6.25 seconds. Very quick.

Passing times also reflect this spunkiness with a 50-70 mph simulated pass on level ground of just 3.21 seconds and the same run up a steep 6-7 percent grade only slowing that time to 4.36 seconds. Actually, in normal driving it doesn’t feel that quick, sometimes a bit lethargic (maybe its because I had the Econ button pressed and the throttle mapping gets changed which I suspect is the reason). But go full tilt boogie and there is a complete change in personality. Pilot can haul butt(s) plus plenty of cargo.

Fuel economy is just about right where the EPA says it is (19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined) with a 70-mph highway run averaging right at 26 mpg. But go much faster, say cruising at 78 mph and the average mileage drops to about 23-24 mpg. In aggressive rural and suburban driving, the Pilot averaged between 19-20 mpg. In my winter blast over the Sierras to Carson City in snow conditions sometimes trudging along at 25-30 mph in four-inch snow, the average for the 200 miles was just 23.4 mpg, but the conditions cost at least 2 mpg so under normal conditions I would expect 25-26 mpg as a similar Acura MDX averaged.

Handling is good, helped by fully independent suspension, big 245/50X20 rubber and wide 20X8 inch alloys and an electric steering rack that is 3.1 turns lock to lock which is a wee bit slow. Body roll is apparent, but it is well controlled and the Pilot can really be hustled through the twisties. Lots of cornering power. Steering has reasonable weighting for feel and the turn in is certainly crisp enough. Handling would be rated as sporty with no vices. You will enjoy driving the Pilot. Hondas always seem to have a bias toward handling. For a front-drive bias CUV, front/rear weight distribution is good at 56/44 percent

Ride quality is excellent, with a compliant suspension. But even more is the quiet of the ride, the Pilot is quiet and a wonderful road car. I did 500 miles round trip (250 miles each way) in one day with a stop for lunch that was enjoyable. Most of the trip was on I5 in moderate traffic that was flowing at about 78 mph. I could do that every day it was so enjoyable. The good sound system is becoming easier to use. There was no wind, engine or road noise and the engine spins just 1,750 rpm at 70 mph and only about 2,000 at 80 mph.

Safety is complete, emergency braking, lane keep assist and every other conceivable safety device. I turned off the lane keep assist, but the blind spot monitor is nice to have and the Pilot’s is extra good because of the large signal it gives you. Brakes are huge four-wheel discs and strong with nice pedal feel. The auto high dimming LED headlights were fabulous.

Inside is a first quality leather interior. In the Elite the leather steering wheel is heated, nice when the temps drop into the 30s. Seating is comfortable as I can attest to the rear and back side comfort in four straight hours on the road. What a nice road car.

With that small growth in size you get a real three rows of seats and a cavernous interior, a real danger for those who like to spend time at Home Depot, Lowe’s or even the local Ace Hardware store. Well over 80 cubes behind the front chairs. With the front chairs at their most forward position and using the floors below the seats, it grows to over 108 cubic feet. There are even 18 cubes behind the third row of seats and those third rows are actually useable.

Instrumentation is Honda complete, meaning a big tac and speedo and info center/trip computer between them. All good. The center stack is topped by a big color screen and the systems are reasonably easy to operate, at least there are no mice or touchpads to contend with.

Pricing starts for a base FWD Pilot and a six-speed auto cog-swapper at $32,445 including $995 for the train from Lincoln, Alabama. My top of the line Elite AWD stickered at $49,015. Honda only builds them one way, no extras or options and being a Honda, they are very well built and drive even better. My only problem, with the Ridgeline pickup, the choice becomes harder between the two.

Specifications
Price $32,445-$49,015
Engine
3.5L SOHC, 24 valve V-6 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm
262 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,700 Six-speed mission
Six-speed torque converter automatic
Nine-speed torque converter automatic (Touring and Elite)

Configuration
Transverse front engine/FWD/AWD

Dimensions
Wheelbase 111.0 inches
Length 196.5 inches
Width 78.6 inches
Height 70.6 inches
Ground clearance 7.3 inches
Track (f/r) 66.3/66.3 inches
Fuel capacity 19.5 gallons
Curb Weight 4,319 pounds
Weight distribution (f/r) 56/44 %
Tow capacity 5,000 pounds
Steering lock to lock 3.14 turns
Turning circle 39.4 feet
Wheels 20X8 inch alloys
Tires 245/50X20 inch
Vehicle volume (Behind 1st row/2nd row/3rd row) 108.5/55.0/18.0 cubic feet

Performance
0-60 mph 6.25 seconds
50-70 mph 3.21 seconds
50-70 mph (up a 6-7 % grade) 4.36 seconds
Top speed Plenty fast
Fuel economy EPA rated 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined. Expect 19-20 in rural suburban driving. 26 mpg on the highway at legal speeds.