Rating: *** (3/5)
Pros
The 2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD is a solid mid-sized SUV that is reliable and delivers a balanced power output. It provides extra security in slippery road conditions. The 24-valve, 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 and five-speed automatic do a fine job in powering this vehicle. It comes with a decent cabin space inside, along with a good cargo area. However, there are a couple of serious defects in the car that might pale away the other advantages.
Good interior cabin space Spacious and comfortable cabin Quiet, decent ride experience The suspension is great Offers excellent iPod connectivityCons
Average and sometimes low fuel economy Poor braking distance Cluttered center stack Dim-witted cruise control system Not-so-great handlingOptions Available
The 2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD is available just in one option. The specifications for this option are-
- Price- $39,355 Engine- 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 Fuel Economy- 16 City/22 Highway
Styling
The styling factor for this SUV has been appreciated by some, and criticized by others. As you can imagine, the opinions on this one are heavily polarized. Some say that the roughly textured black plastic covering the most part of the dash looked cheap, while others say that it is a conscious effort on the part of the designers to give the vehicle’s interior a more rugged look. Whatever it is, it is hard to believe that this is a cost-cutting move on the part of Honda since the most part of the interior is luxuriously built. The gauges are both crystal clear and pretty nifty-looking.
As for the overall body design, Honda adapts a middle way for this cross-over vehicle. Unfortunately, some experts have scoffed at it as ‘a pilgrim hat’.
Standard Features
- Drive Type- All Wheel Drive Transmission- 5-Speed Automatic Horsepower- 250@5700 rpm Torque- 253 @4800 rpm Steering- Speed-proportional power steering Fuel Tank Capacity- 21 gallon 4 wheel ABS Front and Side Airbags Michelin Tires Standard head airbags
Performance
This is not a section where the Honda Pilot Touring has too much to brag about. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 250 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. As a result, the 0 to 60 miles per hour target takes a considerable 9.7 seconds. Not a very good figure for a crossover who is determined to be at the top of the category.
The five shift automatic transmission is incapable of doing a fair job. To add to its woes, the slow-witted cruise control system shakes up the acceleration quite a few times instead of maintaining it. The other worrying thing for the car is the large braking distance. The car takes 149 feet to stop from a speed of 60 miles per hour. That is a clear 15 to 20 feet longer than most of its rivals.
As if all this were not enough, the fuel economy of this SUV alters between being average to sometimes poor. The 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway looks ordinary in comparison to its primary competitors.
Drive
The drive quality is among the best of any car in its category can offer. The suspension absorbs the rough edges on the roads. The interior is quiet and spacious. The driver seat is extremely comfortable with the aid of a tilt-telescoping steering wheel for an even greater comfort. Despite the elevated seat heights, both rows of seating provides excellent head room. In terms of cargo space, the car offers a ample space for most regular needs. The handling is good at moderate and slower speed, but is a little shaky at high speed. The steering loads moderately as speed increases and the Pilot is prone to oversteer on the skid pad.
Interiors
The interior of this car is among the best. In spite of the heavy use of plastic, there is otherwise a host of other luxury features that makes up for the lack of aesthetic quality. There are 55 buttons or knobs that the Touring passenger can use inside for adjustment to various portions of the car. Dedicated buttons, multipurpose control knobs and voice commands can control the audio and navigation systems in the vehicle.
Overall
If not for the three?major glitches in the performance category, this could have been a great vehicle. It provides a range of features that very few cars in its category delivers. Overall, it is a family-friendly crossover with a masculine design and great interior.
Primary Competitors
Mazda CX-9Source: www.nitrobahn.com
