Honda Pilot 2003 $8,900

Vehicle Overview, , Honda has added another sport utility vehicle to its lineup, and another SUV will join the Japanese automaker’s roster in early 2003. The Pilot went on sale in early June as a 2003 model. The new Pilot is “not too big, not too small,” according to Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “We expect the Pilot to redefine the segment,” he said during the Pilot’s unveiling at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show in January 2002. , , Slotted between the compact CR-V and the larger Passport, the Pilot is not meant to replace either of these SUVs. But the Passport has been dropped from the lineup. The Pilot “is designed more as a truck,” Colliver said, adding that it is more rugged than the MDX offered by Acura, Honda’s luxury division. , , Target buyers are approximately 40 years old and likely to be married with three children. These customers want traditional SUV toughness and strengths, which include an active, adventurous image, says Project Leader Frank Paluch. Honda says the Pilot is the “ultimate family adventure vehicle,” which promises the largest passenger and cargo-hauling capacity in its class and an abundance of storage space and compartments inside. The automaker claims that the Pilot’s VTM-4 (Variable Torque Management 4WD) drive system combines the best of four-wheel drive (4WD) and all-wheel drive. , , Prices (including destination charges) start at $26,900 for the LX model and $29,270 for the upscale EX. Half of all Pilots produced will sell for less than $30,000. By adding a navigation or video entertainment system, the cost escalates to more than $32,000. The new SUV is produced in Allison, Ontario, Canada. Honda expects to sell approximately 80,000 units in the United States during the vehicle’s first year on the market. , , Honda’s other all-new SUV for 2003 is the Element, which is based on the Model X concept vehicle that appeared at auto shows in 2001. The Element is scheduled to reach dealerships in December 2002. , , Exterior, Only modest bodyside cladding is used on the Pilot, which exhibits a clean look. The company says the Pilot’s styling is based on Pelican’s heavy-duty storage cases, and it follows a Pacific Northwest theme. So-called “classic SUV proportions” include upright roof pillars and a large greenhouse area that yields what Honda calls “panoramic views for all occupants.” The hood slopes down to a wide grille that contains an “H” logo, which is flanked by wraparound headlights. Honda claims that the Pilot is the most aerodynamic vehicle in its class, which would provide obvious boosts in both performance and fuel economy. All models have body-colored bumpers, and the EX adds body-colored side moldings. , , Unibody construction includes front and rear subframes. Equipped with a fully independent suspension, the Pilot has an 8-inch ground clearance for offroad treks. It’s also promoted for having the widest wheel track — the distance between the left and right wheels — in its class. The tires measure P235/70R16, and cast-aluminum wheels are available on the EX model. , , Interior, Eight passengers fit inside the Pilot, with its 60/40-split seats in the second and third rows. Both seats can be folded down to yield greater storage capacity. Theater seating is used to provide a better view for rear occupants. Leather trim is optional in the EX edition. , , Walk-in capability lets passengers easily access the interior next to the second-row seat. A 4-foot-wide sheet of plywood will fit flat on the floor in the cargo area. Cargo space totals 90.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The spare tire can be lowered without removing any cargo. , , Honda says the Pilot’s interior styling follows a backpack concept. Laid out in what Honda calls a “high-tech sporty style,” the beveled, three-gauge instrument panel is based on the design of a chronometer watch. The front console contains a dedicated phone pocket, 12-volt power outlet and movable cupho

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