Honda Pilot

Honda Pilot
Manufacturer:	Honda
Production:	2003 –
Class:	2003- : SUV
Body styles:	5-door SUV
Predecessor:	Honda Passport Acura MDX
Successor:	none
Shares components with:	Honda Accord Acura MDX Honda Odyssey
Comparable models:	Nissan Pathfinder Ford Explorer Toyota Highlander Chevrolet TrailBlazer
This article is part of the automobile series.

File:Hondapilotfront.jpg

2005 Honda Pilot, front

File:Hondapilotrear.jpg

2005 Honda Pilot, rear

The first Honda Pilot was the 1989 FL400R Honda Pilot, followed by the last year of production the 1990 FL400R. These are 2 wheeled ATV style dune buggies that have attracted a dedicated group of enthusiasts.

The Honda Pilot in 2003, was Honda's first Honda marked SUV fully built and designed by Honda. Honda's initial SUV offering for many years was the Passport, which was a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. Where the previous incarnation was truck based, the Pilot shares underpinnings and powertrain with the Acura MDX, which has a lineage which can be traced to the Honda Odyssey minivan (itself based on an expanded Accord platform). The Pilot’s unit-body structure, however, is fortified with integrated perimeter frame rails, which helps it withstand moderate off-highway use.

Like the MDX, the Pilot is propelled by a alloy aluminium J35, 3.5-liter SOHC 24-valve VTEC V-6. The engine is rated at 240 hp and 242 pound-feet of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic, which, as tested by Sunny Kar, results in a 0-60 time of a mere 7.2 seconds and quarter mile sprint of 14.6 seconds. For the 2005 model, the power was increased to 255 hp, 250 pound-feet of torque and includes a Drive by Wire (DBW) Throttle System. The Pilot weighs in at a little over 4400 pounds establishing the mated engine as just adequate for a vehicle of its size. Also like the MDX, the Pilot rides on struts up front with a coil-spring, multilink arrangement at the rear designed to allow a flat load floor. It also has the MDX’s wide track—66.3 inches front and 66.5 rear. The Pilot has a 4500-pound boat/3500-pound trailer towing capability.

The Pilot is capable of transporting up to 8 passengers. Similar to the Honda Odyssey, the rear seats are capable of folding into completely flat surfaces to allow larger cargo inside if necessary. Seats are configured into stadium seating. Optional amenities that can also be included are powered moonroof, DVD entertainment system, and satellite navigation system.

The Pilot employs a four-wheel drive system called Variable Torque Management 4WD (VTM-4). VTM-4 proactively delivers power to all four wheels under acceleration and when wheel slippage is detected. The VTM-4 system has a dashboard switch that locks both rear half-shafts to get the driver unstuck (there’s no center or rear differential), but it operates in just the first two gears and unlocks at 18 mph. Otherwise, the system operates primarily in front-drive and sends torque to the rear wheels when spin is detected up front.

The Pilot safety mechanisms are its VTM-4 four-wheel drive system, ABS-equipped four-wheel disc brakes, precise rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel independent suspension and 282-degrees of outward visibility. The foundation for the Pilot is a highly rigid unit body with reinforcing structures and energy absorbing crush zones. The Pilot's structure is designed to deform progressively in front, side and rear collisions.

The Pilot was designed to fill a large US demand for SUVs. Prior to the introduction of the Pilot, Honda only had the smaller,utilitarian SUV, the CR-V based on the Civic platform. However, the CR-V lacked in features many US consumers look for in an SUV, which are overall size, passenger space, and towing capacity. Like many other modern SUVs, the Pilot is at most designed to withstand light duty off roading. With Honda selling well over 100,000 Pilots in 2004, an increase of almost 20% over 2003, and boasting excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size, the Pilot will be important to the Honda Corporation to satisfy amazing US demand for the SUV.

In 2006, Honda plans to add its Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system to the Pilot.

Awards

Car and Driver magazine's Best Large SUV for 2002 through 2005
Intellichoice "Best Value of the Year"...
Edmunds.com "Most Wanted SUV"
AMI Auto World "World Family Vehicle of the Year"
Kelley Blue Book "Top 50 Most Popular Cars"

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