The Pilot is a very good
all-around SUV: very good in most ways. And when it was introduced in 2003,
that was enough for it to be best-in-class. Since then, new competitors have
been introduced, and old competitors have been upgraded. So while the Pilot
remains a strong, very well-rounded contender, it has been surpassed by some
vehicles that do the same things better, and/or for less money. It doesn’t
have any unique strong points, but its combination of excellent (if not
class-leading) traits brought it to a respectable 3rd place.
The Pilot rides comfortably,
absorbing most road imperfections very well. The soft ride can get a bit
floaty at high speeds, however. The tradeoff for the ride softness comes in
handling, while the Pilot is safe and secure, it is far from agile, and has
noticeable body roll, especially in fast cornering. The 3.5-liter V6 makes it
reasonably quick and never feels overworked, though the Pilot's additional
mass compared to a few competitors keeps its acceleration midpack overall. The
engine is smooth and quiet, even under hard acceleration. Wind noise is
well-suppressed, but road noise is audible. Fuel economy is good by this
group's standards.
Inside, the high front seats
are comfortable, but the cushion is a bit flat and could be longer. The roomy
rear seat is better-shaped, though a bit firm. The third row is roomy for a
midsize SUV's, but low and hard, and still far from even adequately spacious
for adult occupants. The dash uses high-quality materials that fit together
very well, but lacks the luxury look and feel that has come to be expected in
this price range. The instruments are well-placed and well- marked, but a few
buttons could be larger. The gauges are very large and clear. The driver sits
high and comfortably, and has very good visibility, thanks to the large
windows and fairly thin roof pillars. Entry/exit is very easy despite a fairly
high ride height, and even third-row access is possible (if not optimally
simple) for adults. There is enough room for groceries behind the third row,
but not too much else. Cargo space is impressive overall, and the cargo area
is well-shaped.
The Pilot did very well in
crash testing, earning five stars for both the driver and the front passenger
in the NHTSA frontal crash test, as well as five stars for both the driver and
the rear passenger in the NHTSA side crash test, with the standard side
airbags. NHTSA also estimated a 15% chance of rollover in a single vehicle
accident, good for a four-star rating. The IIHS rated the Pilot Best Pick in
its offset crash test, but has not evaluated its head restraints.
The Pilot reviewed here came
in at $30,295, fairly well-equipped. It includes standard traction
and stability control, side airbags that protect the heads of occupants in all
three rows of seats, a 6-disc CD player, a power driver's seat, and automatic climate control, but
not much else. A sunroof, a power passenger seat, seat heaters, and leather are among the
options available only on pricier versions of the car.
Overall, while the Pilot does not stand out in any one area, it
offers a blend of excellence in areas of safety, comfort, refinement, and
interior room. A few competitors offer comparable blends however, and some
have their own trump cards. But the Pilot remains an excellent choice in this
group, falling short in no significant way but the cost of that achievement.
It may no longer be the clear best choice in this class, but it definitely is
still worth a look from midsize SUV shoppers.
