2011 Honda Pilot Touring Review

[ahmed_2011]

Honda can, without a doubt, be considered an environmentally friendly car company. Their small cars, the Fit and the Civic, are versatile, fuel-efficient and produce low levels of CO2 emissions. Their hybrid models, the Insight and CR-Z, are extremely efficient. So how can they justify an 8-passenger SUV in their product line-up?


Well, it has to maximize fuel economy. It has to maximize interior space. And it has to avoid being perceived by the public as a dirty, socially-irresponsable truck. The Pilot manages to meet at least two of these three conditions.

Under the hood of the Pilot resides a 24-valve, 3.5-litre V6 that’s found in various Honda and Acura products. In this case, it gets cylinder deactivation systems across the model range and develops 250 horsepower as well as 253 pound-feet of torque. The sole transmission choice is a 5-speed automatic; Honda does have a 6-speed in the tool shed, which equips the Odyssey Touring and several Acura models, so why don’t they quit fooling around and put it in the Pilot?

Whatever. Zero to 100 takes 8.8 seconds, which isn’t bad by truck standards, but some of its rivals are quicker. As for fuel economy, our average of 13.2 L/100 km is decent but didn’t trigger any high-fives in the office. The Advanced VCM system, or Variable Cylinder Management, helps a little but isn’t a miracle worker.

The V6 is smooth while providing enough muscle for a tow rating of 4,500 pounds (or 2,045 kg). That’s better than the Mazda CX-9, but not as good as pretty much every other mid-size, 7- or 8-passenger SUV.

The VTM-4 all-wheel drive system works the front wheels under normal conditions, and sends up to 70 percent of engine torque back to the rear during acceleration or when wheel slippage is detected. The system can be locked in four-wheel mode with the help of a dash-mounted button, but it only works under about 30 km/h.


The Pilot is a trooper on the highway, but the driving experience is tarnished by a steering rack that doesn’t send up enough road feel. Change lanes on a snowy day, and you’ll barely feel that strip of slush as you merge back into the slow lane; it should be more communicative.


The cockpit’s overall appearance is industrial-strength robust, although the dash piece seams at the top of the centre stack spoil it a little. It takes a few days to get used to the climate control switchgear, while the sound system includes a USB port in the Touring trim only; however, you can flip through music folders by holding down the song-skip buttons on the wheel, which is practical. Oh yeah, the rear-seat DVD with wireless headphones works beautifully for the kiddies.

We’re a little less enthusiastic about the navigation system. While relatively easy to use, spelling out a city or a street name by turning the system’s control knob isn’t a quick operation. The navigation display’s crude graphics makes me feel like I’ve fired up my Super Nintendo console.

Space-wise, the Pilot’s interior is muy grande. All three rows can accommodate adults, a pretty rare accomplishment in this vehicle category. Imagine a bus built by Honda, and it would look a lot like the Pilot. The Touring trim also benefits from heated front and outboard second-row seats. Visibility all around is great, and the truck’s narrow turning radius makes it easy to park.

Cargo space with the second and third rows of seats folded amounts to 2,464 litres; that’s bigger than in the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder, but smaller than in the Mazda CX-9 and way smaller than in the Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia twins. The tailgate window can also be opened separately.

In general, though, the Pilot feels solid. Not just solid, but Tonka truck durable. The Pilot’s squared-off look doesn’t offend anyone, and the truck’s front fascia also makes it socially acceptable because it looks sympathetic, not truckish.


The entry price for a LX 2WD model is $34,820 before tax, freight and delivery charges. The Touring version we’re driving this week escalates the price ladder like the yodeling mountain climber in The Price is Right, reaching $48,420. Ouch.

But wait. Similarly-equipped rivals are also a wallet-drain. A Chevrolet Traverse 2LT AWD costs $54,720. A Mazda CX-9 GT AWD costs $49,790. A Nissan Pathfinder LE costs $52,548. A Toyota 4Runner Limited costs $49,665. A Dodge Durango Crew Plus costs $48,995. Actually, only the $46,999 Ford Explorer Limited and the $44,900 Toyota Highlander Limited are cheaper, although the latter doesn’t offer a rear-seat DVD.


With every passing year, the competition gets better and better, and the Pilot needs to stay in the game. In typical Honda product mid-cycle fashion, a facelift should arrive in 2012; we’ll see what other changes will be made.

Still, the Pilot is a competent, practical SUV that’s easy to live with. It maximizes interior space, it arguably consumes a reasonable amount of fuel, and its lack of aggressiveness prevents it from being conceived as an environmentally-unfriendly vehicle. Can the Pilot justify its presence in Honda’s line-up? We think so.