Need to transport up to eight occupants but can’t stomach the ‘v’ word? (That’s ‘v,’ as in van. Of course if it were the other ‘v’ word, you may not need to transport eight!).
Minivans offer a space/usage ratio that’s impossible to beat. Unfortunately, these plebian workhorses of the modern family fail to deliver on the recreational front with the same resourcefulness of a four-wheel-drive SUV.
No notable changes for 2010
The Pilot underwent a major overhaul in 2009, giving it distinctive truck-like styling. The shape became boxier and the size grew slightly larger all around. The increased girth enabled a few extra inches to be added to the cabin, resulting in greater cargo capacity and improved access to the third-row seat.
Along with expanding the Pilot’s real estate, engineers managed to boost its fuel efficiency in ’09 by applying Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management technology, which allows the engine to operate on six, four or three cylinders depending on immediate power demands.
Given the extensive 2009 upgrades, the 2010 Pilot is unchanged from last year.
Size matters
Any recreationally active family will affirm the value of space-generosity in a vehicle. It’s easy to underestimate what size is appropriate when SUV shopping. None of us want to over-buy when it comes to automotive proportions; unfortunately that laudable goal often results in under-buying. The consequence of which, is the inability to easily accommodate a family ski trip or get-away.
With a dog and several kids, it’s amazing how quickly a relatively large vehicle becomes miniaturized. Excess cargo is often fastened to the roof or inaccessible in a roof-mounted cargo shell.
This is why the Pilot is a “right size” vehicle for so many. It can seat eight in relative comfort or carry a tremendous haul of sporting equipment or camping supplies within its cargo volume of 2,464-litres. Oh, and of course, arf arf will have suitable tail-wag room as well.
Minivans offer a space/usage ratio that’s impossible to beat. Unfortunately, these plebian workhorses of the modern family fail to deliver on the recreational front with the same resourcefulness of a four-wheel-drive SUV.
 |
| The 2010 Pilot is unchanged from last year. |
No notable changes for 2010
The Pilot underwent a major overhaul in 2009, giving it distinctive truck-like styling. The shape became boxier and the size grew slightly larger all around. The increased girth enabled a few extra inches to be added to the cabin, resulting in greater cargo capacity and improved access to the third-row seat.
Along with expanding the Pilot’s real estate, engineers managed to boost its fuel efficiency in ’09 by applying Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management technology, which allows the engine to operate on six, four or three cylinders depending on immediate power demands.
Given the extensive 2009 upgrades, the 2010 Pilot is unchanged from last year.
Size matters
Any recreationally active family will affirm the value of space-generosity in a vehicle. It’s easy to underestimate what size is appropriate when SUV shopping. None of us want to over-buy when it comes to automotive proportions; unfortunately that laudable goal often results in under-buying. The consequence of which, is the inability to easily accommodate a family ski trip or get-away.
With a dog and several kids, it’s amazing how quickly a relatively large vehicle becomes miniaturized. Excess cargo is often fastened to the roof or inaccessible in a roof-mounted cargo shell.
This is why the Pilot is a “right size” vehicle for so many. It can seat eight in relative comfort or carry a tremendous haul of sporting equipment or camping supplies within its cargo volume of 2,464-litres. Oh, and of course, arf arf will have suitable tail-wag room as well.
 |
| Any recreationally active family will affirm the value of space-generosity in a vehicle. |