2004 Honda Pilot Granite Edition Road Test

Clearly, safety is not an issue Honda takes lightly or simply pays lip service to. In addition to competent brakes, Honda equips all

Honda equips all Pilots with driver and front passenger, dual stage airbags; plus driver and front passenger side-airbags with front passenger seat occupant size and position sensors. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Pilots with driver and front passenger, dual stage airbags; plus driver and front passenger side-airbags with front passenger seat occupant size and position sensors. Driver and front passenger also benefit from front occupant knee bolsters, which assist in correct body positioning should the front airbags deploy. Honda understands the concept I refer to as the "family principle" in the construction of their family-oriented vehicles. The childproof rear door locks combined with the child-seat-tether anchor points affixed to both the second and third row benches evidence this. Unfortunately, where Honda falls short of the principle is in failing to provide side-curtain airbag technology for the protection of second and third row passengers, who more often than not are children. This is unacceptable for a vehicle designed to engage families, regardless of whether such engagement involves tackling rugged off-road terrain in search of the perfect wilderness experience or just hauling pint-sized players to the soccer pitch.

The Pilot makes high-flying sense in whichever of its variants one chooses to satiate their automotive appetite. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Making the outdoors accessible is one of many attributes of Pilot ownership. In Canada the base Pilot is the content-rich Granite. This model is based on the LX trim level, which is the entry Pilot south of the 49th. In both nations, upscale Pilots bear the letters EX, which equate to the automotive version of the-lap-of-luxury, and include: automatic climate control, 8-way power driver's seat, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, steering wheel radio controls, universal garage door opener, auto-off headlights, rear privacy glass, roof rails and alloy wheels. EX-L adds leather upholstery, heated front seats and heated mirrors to the play list. In addition to all fruits of EX-L, an entertainment package adds a DVD player, remote control and headphone jacks. A navigation package adds Honda's DVD-based navigation system.