Aging look means it's time for a makeover!
There are so many SUVs on the market that manufacturers can't afford to stick with the same products for a long time. If a model is not redesigned after 2-3 years or if it does not get regular upgrades, it will quickly fade into oblivion.
People seem to forget that the Honda Pilot has been more than a competent truck in its class. However, no major redesign has been made since the model's original introduction in 2003.
Ordinary lines
The first-generation Pilot will certainly not be remembered for its bland styling. I'm not saying it's ugly or unattractive; it's just that the fairly boxy shape is totally devoid of exciting cues, let alone anything fancy.
Still, you can't accuse this SUV of showing excess fat. Meanwhile, the large greenhouse provides occupants with exceptional visibility. The Pilot is arguably a tough-looking machine that means business.
Colorless interior
Inside, the same logic pretty much applies: the layout is unimaginative, even boring. The plastic finish on the dashboard is decent but far from inspiring.
Build quality is top-notch in typical Honda fashion, but ergonomics leave a little to be desired. For instance, the cupholders are too close to the center armrest and, as a result, I kept hitting the bottles I had put there. In addition, some of the controls are hardly within reach of the driver, like the radio's. By the way, the sound quality is average at best.
On the other hand, there are lots of storage compartments; the one in the center console comes in quite handy since you can put valuable items like a purse or an MP3 player in there. But for a vehicle that costs more than $40,000, the list of features and accessories should be more comprehensive.
The DVD entertainment system, standard on SE and SE-L models, is pretty convenient if you have kids. It operates quite well and the DVD player is located up front for easy disc loading.
The Pilot has one clear advantage over most midsize SUVs: it can comfortably accommodate 8 normal-size passengers. I guess the bread-box design isn't entirely bad after all, as third-row occupants enjoy enough room to feel at ease. And when you fold all the rear seats, you get nearly 2,500 liters of cargo room, which is sizeable. As for the driver's seat, I had some problems finding a comfortable driving position; a wider cushion would have been helpful.
There are so many SUVs on the market that manufacturers can't afford to stick with the same products for a long time. If a model is not redesigned after 2-3 years or if it does not get regular upgrades, it will quickly fade into oblivion.
People seem to forget that the Honda Pilot has been more than a competent truck in its class. However, no major redesign has been made since the model's original introduction in 2003.
 |
| The large greenhouse provides occupants with exceptional visibility. |
Ordinary lines
The first-generation Pilot will certainly not be remembered for its bland styling. I'm not saying it's ugly or unattractive; it's just that the fairly boxy shape is totally devoid of exciting cues, let alone anything fancy.
Still, you can't accuse this SUV of showing excess fat. Meanwhile, the large greenhouse provides occupants with exceptional visibility. The Pilot is arguably a tough-looking machine that means business.
Colorless interior
Inside, the same logic pretty much applies: the layout is unimaginative, even boring. The plastic finish on the dashboard is decent but far from inspiring.
Build quality is top-notch in typical Honda fashion, but ergonomics leave a little to be desired. For instance, the cupholders are too close to the center armrest and, as a result, I kept hitting the bottles I had put there. In addition, some of the controls are hardly within reach of the driver, like the radio's. By the way, the sound quality is average at best.
On the other hand, there are lots of storage compartments; the one in the center console comes in quite handy since you can put valuable items like a purse or an MP3 player in there. But for a vehicle that costs more than $40,000, the list of features and accessories should be more comprehensive.
The DVD entertainment system, standard on SE and SE-L models, is pretty convenient if you have kids. It operates quite well and the DVD player is located up front for easy disc loading.
The Pilot has one clear advantage over most midsize SUVs: it can comfortably accommodate 8 normal-size passengers. I guess the bread-box design isn't entirely bad after all, as third-row occupants enjoy enough room to feel at ease. And when you fold all the rear seats, you get nearly 2,500 liters of cargo room, which is sizeable. As for the driver's seat, I had some problems finding a comfortable driving position; a wider cushion would have been helpful.
 |
| There are lots of storage compartments; the one in the center console comes in quite handy. |