Honda Pilot - 2007 Review

The Pilot is my first SUV after having driven mostly quick, sporty coupes.  I was looking for an SUV because my growing family had outgrown the coupe.  This is the third Honda we have owned, and I don't think we'll ever get a non-Honda vehicle because in our experience, with regular maintenance, Hondas last forever. 

As with any non-hybrid SUV, the Pilot's gas mileage is not great.  And it can feel a little bit lumbering as it goes up steep hills.  However, when it's not having to work too hard (i.e., when it's on level ground, travelling at a steady speed) the engine switches to running on four cylinders instead of six.  I figure it must be saving a little bit of gas then, so I do feel a tad bit less guilty at the pump. 

I researched all the SUV choices out there for the '07 model year before finally selecting the Pilot, and during my search I kept coming back to the Pilot for a number of reasons.  First, the side-curtain airbags extend all the way to the back of the car, which makes the third-row seat's occupants safer. ( Apparently, not all SUVs' side-curtains go all the way back.)  Second, unless you want to drive a KIA or a Hyundai, the Pilot's prices are hard to beat for an SUV of this size and quality.  Third, it really looks sharp.  If I were willing to fork over any amount of money for a vehicle, I like the LOOK of the Range Rover; I see a lot of physical similarities between that and the Pilot.