Video: Driving Northwest: The new Honda Pilot

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It's time to point out the obvious: The big shift in American buying habits is away from truck-based SUVs to car-based crossovers. Honda's Pilot was one of the pioneers. The first version looked like the crossover it was with airy windows and Honda's conservative sheetmetal. Folks love Pilot for what crossovers do best - they drive like minivans without the look of one. Apparently the only thing missing was styling. The second generation Pilot delivers just that. 

Pilot is a little bigger now, about 3 inches in length and 1 in width and height. Just as before, this sport ute rides on the same architecture as the Odyssey minivan. Does anyone else notice the resemblance to the Acura SLX from years past? Does anyone even remember it? Honda got that Trooper based SUV (and the Passport) from Isuzu while they were developing their own utes. Pilot's lines are solid and chunky, like the trucks people seem to be moving away from these days. Captain Kirk seems to have had a hand in designing the bold grille.

Families love the utility of these rigs and the eight-passenger Pilot doesn't disappoint. Want to tow up to 4,500 pounds? Can do. Multiple storage cubbies? Check out the rear doors with cup-holders and slots for small items. The center console where the cup holders live is large enough to hold two medium-sized squash under its sliding cover (a woman offered them up as we were photographing the Pilot, this won't be a standard challenge like the Toilet Paper Trunk Test). Under the front passenger seat there's a bin ready to accept whatever you have. For what it's worth the smallest of the two squash wedges into it. Liners in storage compartments pull out for easy cleaning, great for the sticky messes kids leave behind.

Materials are high quality but an obvious seam on the busy instrument panel near the radio controls is a surprise. My tester's deep black cabin seems to absorb all light, making it an especially dark place. The green glass on the center stack that's reminiscent of Coke bottles is a classy look and the gauge design with the needles behind the numbers is a unique touch. 

Honda top 'o the line Touring model comes with the requisite luxury touches like heated leather seating and sunroof. There's also an entire Best Buy full of technology installed throughout the interior. OK, no microwave, washer/dryer or fridge, but just about everything else is here - Bluetooth phone connection, a DVD entertainment system for the second and third row, a great sound system with XM radio and a sophisticated voice-activated satellite navigation system complete with Zagat restaurant reviews. Handy when you want to find the best Indian food in Walla Walla. Its LCD screen also displays the backup camera, always welcome in a rig this size. The only gizmos missing in Pilot are keyless ignition and radar assisted cruise control.

While Honda provides a deep set of technology functions, I suspect the average owner will be consulting the owner's manual often in the first month of ownership. The vast array of buttons and the data controller on the center instrument panel has been intimidating to many folks along for the drive. To think their slogan used to be "We Make it Simple."

KING

Families love the utility of these rigs and the eight-passenger Pilot doesn't disappoint.

Open the center console and you'll find Pilot can interface with just about anything. There's a standard 12 volt plug, home style AC outlet, mini plug for MP3 player audio input and a USB port that provides iPod integration (the info appears on the data screen).    

The second row seating that reclines and adjusts fore and aft will do just about anything an owner could ask of it shots of keeping the kids from arguing. That job falls to the rear DVD entertainment system. It's geared to accommodate three wired headphones in addition to two wireless units. Aft passengers also have their own climate control back there. To keep books, Nintendo games and iPods organized there are two map pockets on the back of each front seat.

Access to the third row is easy with seats folding forward with the pull of a latch. It is a bit of a step up though. Three children will be perfectly happy back here with the additional 1.9 inches of legroom. Three adults should be OK on a trip across town back depending on how big and whiney they are.

Honda's ute has mid pack acceleration with smooth power delivery. Using the Dynolicious application on my iPhone, Pilot turns in a 9.5-second 0-60 time. I find the overall driving dynamic of the second gen Pilot to be slightly more truck-like than crossoveresque. Ride height is the coveted elevated position. Its structure is rock solid and drum tight. Suspension is firm; road noise is on the average side. Emergency stops on the Pilot find the nose diving somewhat with breaking distances longer than average. 

Honda's optional Variable Torque Management Four Wheel Drive can tackle medium duty off-roading. It uses computer processing to route torque to the rear wheels according to inputs from a number of sensors. There is no low range here. 

Pilot's 250 horsepower 3.5-Liter, i-VTEC V6 can run on either 3 or 4 cylinders to save fuel. You won't feel the switch, the only way to tell is a green "eco" light in the gauge cluster that blinks on and off. The tranny is a 5-speed automatic with no manual shift mode. Even with the trick engine (or is that engine trick), Pilot's EPA fuel economy average of 18 is generally 1 less than its competitors that run with 6-speed gearboxes. Really though, that slight difference can be made up by driving style.

The rear hatch is powered, the glass opens for loading. With all three rows of seating in the usable position there's still room for groceries in back. There is also storage under the load floor. Pilot's squared off shape helps it in the Toilet Paper Trunk test. Swallowing18 packs of Kirkland brand bath tissue Pilot ties the reigning champ, Buick's Enclave. They should not get too comfortable however. I have not subjected the box-on-wheels Flex to this measurement system.

Overall Honda's new Pilot with its new found man style seems to be a slightly different animal this time, reaching out to buyers who love rugged trucks. Safety minded folks will appreciate standard electronic stability control and traction control. The NHTSA 5-star rating for both front and side impacts is reassuring too. Prices start at $28,265 and rise to $40,665 for this luxed out Limited model, placing it in the market's sweet spot. It's stout, well engineered, and packed with nearly every tech trick in the book. Shoppers looking for a full sized crossover should give Pilot a look.