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2004 Honda Pilot Granite Edition Road Test

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Rob Rothwell

The Sense in No-Nonsense

As I watched the pile of gear grow exponentially at the front door, I wondered

As I surveyed all the gear packed for a one-week family vacation, I began to wonder if it'd all fit in the midsize Honda Pilot. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)
if we were equipping ourselves for a one-week family vacation or prepping the entire Canadian military for a week of survival training in some God-forsaken isolated outback.

After satisfying my overactive imagination that the military isn't relying on my battle-worn outdoor gear to equip its troops, I began to question how so much gear, plus a large dog, medium sized wife and small son would fit into a midsize SUV, along with me in the driver's seat.

With some creative arranging, a little luck and a lot of heave-hoeing everything fit. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Fortunately the beast-of-burden serving us was a Honda Pilot. With some creative arranging, a little luck and a lot of heave-hoeing the following articles, less animate beings, were squeezed into the Pilot's generous confines: one insanely huge dog-crate, one 4-person inflatable boat (deflated of course), a guitar and case, one computer and case, a large picnic basket, two large coolers, three large gym bags, sleeping bags and pillows all around, various bags of food (including the canine variety) and many other sundries, utensils and sporting goods. Secured atop the Pilot on Honda's ski-rack equipped roof rails, was one ocean-going kayak and a mountain bike. The Pilot's Queen Mary-like hold swallowed the inside gear without objection and left the human occupied front seats and single, human occupied rear seat, clear of clutter - except for that introduced by a nine-year old, and his car-bag full of goodies.

Rob Rothwell
Rob Rothwell
Automotive expert
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