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Honda Pilot: Difference between revisions
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==Hybrid Models== | ==Hybrid Models== | ||
[[Honda]] has made no announcements on making a hybrid version of the Pilot yet. A [[Honda CR-V|CR-V]] Hybrid is currently in the works. | [[Honda]] has made no announcements on making a hybrid version of the Pilot yet. A [[Honda CR-V|CR-V]] Hybrid is currently rumored to be in the works and due out in 2008. | ||
==Unique Attributes== | ==Unique Attributes== | ||
Revision as of 19:42, 29 June 2006
The Honda Pilot is Honda's second SUV fully built and designed by Honda. The Honda Pilot is built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada and Lincoln, Alabama. Honda's initial SUV offering for many years was the Honda Passport, which was a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo. Where the Passport was truck-based, the Pilot shares underpinnings and the powertrain with the Acura MDX, which has a lineage which can be traced to the Honda Odyssey minivan (itself based on the global light truck chassis). The Pilot’s unibody construction, however, is fortified with integrated perimeter frame rails, which helps it withstand light off-road use.
The Pilot was designed to fill a large American demand for SUVs. Prior to the introduction of the Pilot, Honda only had the smaller CR-V based on the Civic platform, and the aforementioned Passport. However, the CR-V lacked in features many American consumers looked for in an SUV, which are overall size, passenger space, and towing capacity. The Pilot is at most designed to withstand light duty off roading. The Pilot has been a best-seller for Honda, with Honda selling over 100,000 Pilots in 2004, an increase of almost 20% over 2003. The Pilot is exclusively sold in North America, while Japan and Australia get its relative, the Honda MDX instead.
See Wikicars' comprehensive Honda Pilot Review.
Recent Changes
For 2006, the Honda Pilot got new front and rear fascias, a redesigned interior, and various standard safety features.
Like the MDX, the Pilot is propelled by an aluminum alloy 3.5 L SOHC, 24-valve VTEC V6 engine. The engine is rated at 240 hp and 242 ft·lbf of torque, and mated to a five-speed automatic, which, as tested by Sunny Kar, results in a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds and 1/4 mile sprint of 14.6 seconds. For the 2005 model, the power was increased to 255 hp, 250 ft·lbf of torque and includes a Drive by Wire (DBW) Throttle System. The Pilot weighs in at a little over 4,400 lb. 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 in at the front and 66.5 in at the rear. The Pilot has a 4,500 lb boat/3,500 lb trailer towing capability.
Styles and Major Options
The Pilot is available in both two wheel drive and four wheel drive in the LX trima nd the EX trim.
Specs
2WD LX
- 244-hp, 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V6 engine
- 5-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control System
- Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™)
- 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS) with weight and position sensors
- Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
- 60/40 split flat-folding second- and third-row bench seats
- AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers
- Remote entry
- Active Control Engine Mount system (ACM)
- Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Direct ignition system with Immobilizer
- Unit-body construction
- MacPherson strut front suspension
- Painted 16" alloy wheels
- Driver's and front passenger's seat belt reminder
- Three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor
- Side-impact door beams
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with traction control
- Outboard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) (2nd-row)
- Body-colored body side molding
- Projector beam halogen headlights
- Front and rear air conditioning with air-filtration system
- Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®)-on indicator
- Maintenance minder system
4WD LX Adds to or replaces 2WD features:
- 244-hp, 3.5-liter, VTEC® V6 Engine
- Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel-drive system (VTM-4®)
2WD EX Adds to or replaces 2WD LX features:
- AM/FM/XM Ready®/6-disc in-dash CD changer audio system with 7 speakers, including subwoofer
- Projector beam halogen headlights with auto-off
- Synchronized automatic climate control system
- Machine-finished 16" alloy wheels
4WD EX Adds to or replaces 2WD LX features:
- 244-hp, 3.5 liter, 24-valve SOHC VTEC® V6 engine
- Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel-drive system (VTM-4®)
- Projector beam halogen headlights with auto-off
- Synchronized automatic climate control system
- Machine-finished 16" alloy wheels
2WD and 4WD EX-L Adds to EX features:
- Power moonroof with tilt feature
- XM® Satellite Radio
- Rearview mirror with compass
- Ambient console lighting
- Heated power side mirrors
- Heated front seats
- Conversation mirror with sunglasses holder
2WD and 4WD EX-L and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ Adds to EX-L features:
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition with off-road tracking and rearview camera
Pricing
|
Trim |
|||||||
|
2WD LX |
4WD LX |
2WD EX |
4WD EX |
2WD EX-L |
4WD EX-L |
2WD EX-L with Navigation |
4WD EX-L with Navigation |
|
Price |
|||||||
|
MSRP |
|||||||
|
$26,995 |
$28,195 |
$29,545 |
$30,745 |
$31,845 |
$33,045 |
$34,045 |
$35,245 |
|
Invoice |
|||||||
|
$24,303 |
$25,381 |
$26,595 |
$27,673 |
$28,662 |
$29,740 |
$30,638 |
$31,717 |
Destination Charge on all trims: $550
Gas Mileage
The new 2WD models are equipped with a standard Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system that combines Pilot muscle with added efficiency. VCM is designed to boost mileage and economy without sacrificing power when and where you need it. While under light engine load conditions, the VCM system deactivates the three rear cylinders. This pioneering technology lets you go longer between fill-ups and enables an EPA highway rating of 24 MPG. Happy trails.
The 2WD gats an EPA estimated 18/24 MPG and the 4WD gets an estimated 17/22 MPG.[1]
Reliability
The Honda Pilot comes with a 3 year/36,000 miles Limited Warranty and a 5 year/60,000 miles Limited Powertrain Warranty. Ordinary maintainence or adjustments, parts subject to normal wear and replacement, and certain items are excluded.
The Pilot ranks first overall in reviews of popular mid-size SUVs on Autos.com.
Safety
As evidence of Honda's dedication to safety, the Pilot has received a 5-star rating in frontal- and side-impact testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additional safety features have been added this year, including three-row side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with traction control. Plus, Pilot models with the navigation system feature a standard rearview camera that helps you watch for obstacles when you select the reverse gear.
Photos
Colors
- Amazon Green Metallic
- Desert Rock Metallic
- Nighthawk Black Pearl
- Redrock Pearl
- Sage Brush Green
- Steel Blue Metallic
- Taffeta White
- Billet Silver Metallic
Main Competitors
Hybrid Models
Honda has made no announcements on making a hybrid version of the Pilot yet. A CR-V Hybrid is currently rumored to be in the works and due out in 2008.
Unique Attributes
Resale Values
Criticisms
Generations
First Generation (2003- present)
The Honda Pilot was an all-new model for 2003. It came in two trims (LX and EX) and was initially only available as a 4WD model.
For 2006, the exterior is slightly updated to incorporate design cues from the Ridgeline, while the interior gets a refreshening that includes new seat fabrics and a modified instrument panel design. Also, all trims of the Pilot include side curtain airbags as standard equipment. In addition, in the 2006 model year, a 2WD becomes available.
