| Like its brethren, the CR-V, Odyssey and new | | | | second and third-row seats each comfortably |
| Element, the Pilot | | | | seat three passengers. |
| completes Honda's best-buy SUV and van line. | | | | Although unused during my test week, second |
| And like any of those | | | | and third-seat |
| offerings or anything else in Honda's arsenal, it's | | | | passengers can view DVDs from a screen that |
| hard to find serious | | | | pops down from the |
| fault with the Pilot.Introduced in late 2003, the | | | | second-seat ceiling. Headphones are stored in a |
| Pilot replaced the Passport and it shares the | | | | map/accessory |
| same basic chassis and powertrain as the MDX, | | | | compartment behind the driver's seat.All three |
| the complementary | | | | Pilot models have a long list of standard features: |
| choice from Honda's upscale Acura division.My | | | | tilt steering |
| test drive for the week was the top of the line's | | | | wheel, cruise control, 60/40 split folding second |
| EX L 4-door wagon | | | | and third seats, power |
| that includes both a navigation system and | | | | mirrors, windows and doors locks, remote |
| second seat DVD | | | | keyless entry and AM/FM/CD |
| entertainment system. With those additions, the | | | | player, among other items. The EX and EX-L |
| Pilot further enhances | | | | models include a six-disc |
| its position at the forefront of the midsize SUV | | | | changer, steering wheel radio controls, |
| ranks that include the | | | | automatic-off headlights and |
| Ford Explorer, Nissan Murano and Toyota | | | | allow wheels. Leather upholstery, heated front |
| Highlander.The three Pilot models all offer a V6, | | | | seats, power sunroof and |
| 255-horsepower engine paired | | | | heated power mirrors are standard on the EX-L |
| only with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The | | | | model only.Despite its best-buy status, the Pilot |
| HP total represents an | | | | does have two less-than- |
| increase of six percent from the 2004 model, | | | | spectacular considerations: curtain side airbags are |
| further adding to the | | | | not available on |
| vehicle's status among the quicker midsize SUVs. | | | | any model, and its fuel rating of 17 in city driving |
| It has a 0-60 mph test | | | | and 22 in highway use |
| rating of 7.9 seconds.Further performance areas | | | | is fine for its category but hardly an economical |
| for the Pilot are all ranked at least average or | | | | plus.Nevertheless, the Pilot overall is an ideal family |
| above. The driver sits "tall" in the vehicle, so | | | | vehicle. It's spaciously |
| steering and handling are | | | | designed, practical and fits well in the Honda |
| fine for the car's type. But it should never be | | | | family known not only |
| mistaken for anything other | | | | performance and reliability, but for a strong |
| than a SUV with cornering limitations.Braking is | | | | position in the resale market.2005 Honda |
| strong and the standard all-wheel-drive system | | | | PilotSafety features -- Front side airbags, anti-lock |
| seems well- | | | | 4-wheel disc |
| suited for trails and in inclement weather | | | | brakes, rear-obstacle detection system. tire |
| conditions.Like other Hondas, controls and | | | | pressure monitor, rearview |
| instrumentation as well as styling and | | | | camera.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 17 mpg (city), |
| indoor space are thoughtful and styled simply. | | | | 22 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to |
| The automatic shift lever | | | | bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; |
| is located behind the right side of the steering | | | | Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.Base price |
| wheel and doesn't block | | | | range -- $34,120.James Raia is a syndicated |
| access to other controls. But it's also too easy to | | | | journalist in Sacramento, California, who |
| shift in and out of | | | | writes about sports, fitness, travel and lifestyle |
| transmission settings.The pilot is an | | | | topics as well as the car |
| eight-passenger vehicle, with little compromise. | | | | review colum, The Weekly Driver. |
| The | | | | |