Auto123: 2011 Honda Pilot Touring Review

By Michel Deslauriers
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Honda can, without a doubt, be considered an environmentally friendly car company. Their small cars, the Fit and the Civic, are versatile, fuel-efficient and produce low levels of CO2 emissions. Their hybrid models, the Insight and CR-Z, are extremely efficient. So how can they justify an 8-passenger SUV in their product line-up?

Well, it has to maximize fuel economy. It has to maximize interior space. And it has to avoid being perceived by the public as a dirty, socially-irresponsable truck. The Pilot manages to meet at least two of these three conditions.

Under the hood of the Pilot resides a 24-valve, 3.5-litre V6 that’s found in various Honda and Acura products. In this case, it gets cylinder deactivation systems across the model range and develops 250 horsepower as well as 253 pound-feet of torque. The sole transmission choice is a 5-speed automatic; Honda does have a 6-speed in the tool shed, which equips the Odyssey Touring and several Acura models, so why don’t they quit fooling around and put it in the Pilot?

Whatever. Zero to 100 takes 8.8 seconds, which isn’t bad by truck standards, but some of its rivals are quicker. As for fuel economy, our average of 13.2 L/100 km is decent but didn’t trigger any high-fives in the office. The Advanced VCM system, or Variable Cylinder Management, helps a little but isn’t a miracle worker.

The V6 is smooth while providing enough muscle for a tow rating of 4,500 pounds (or 2,045 kg). That’s better than the Mazda CX-9, but not as good as pretty much every other mid-size, 7- or 8-passenger SUV.

The VTM-4 all-wheel drive system works the front wheels under normal conditions, and sends up to 70 percent of engine torque back to the rear during acceleration or when wheel slippage is detected. The system can be locked in four-wheel mode with the help of a dash-mounted button, but it only works under about 30 km/h.

The Pilot is a trooper on the highway, but the driving experience is tarnished by a steering rack that doesn’t send up enough road feel. Change lanes on a snowy day, and you’ll barely feel that strip of slush as you merge back into the slow lane; it should be more communicative.

The cockpit’s overall appearance is industrial-strength robust, although the dash piece seams at the top of the centre stack spoil it a little. It takes a few days to get used to the climate control switchgear, while the sound system includes a USB port in the Touring trim only; however, you can flip through music folders by holding down the song-skip buttons on the wheel, which is practical. Oh yeah, the rear-seat DVD with wireless headphones works beautifully for the kiddies.

We’re a little less enthusiastic about the navigation system. While relatively easy to use, spelling out a city or a street name by turning the system’s control knob isn’t a quick operation. The navigation display’s crude graphics makes me feel like I’ve fired up my Super Nintendo console.

Space-wise, the Pilot’s interior is muy grande. All three rows can accommodate adults, a pretty rare accomplishment in this vehicle category. Imagine a bus built by Honda, and it would look a lot like the Pilot. The Touring trim also benefits from heated front and outboard second-row seats. Visibility all around is great, and the truck’s narrow turning radius makes it easy to park.

Cargo space with the second and third rows of seats folded amounts to 2,464 litres; that’s bigger than in the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder, but smaller than in the Mazda CX-9 and way smaller than in the Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia twins. The tailgate window can also be opened separately.

In general, though, the Pilot feels solid. Not just solid, but Tonka truck durable. The Pilot’s squared-off look doesn’t offend anyone, and the truck’s front fascia also makes it socially acceptable because it looks sympathetic, not truckish.

The entry price for a LX 2WD model is $34,820 before tax, freight and delivery charges. The Touring version we’re driving this week escalates the price ladder like the yodeling mountain climber in The Price is Right, reaching $48,420. Ouch.

But wait. Similarly-equipped rivals are also a wallet-drain. A Chevrolet Traverse 2LT AWD costs $54,720. A Mazda CX-9 GT AWD costs $49,790. A Nissan Pathfinder LE costs $52,548. A Toyota 4Runner Limited costs $49,665. A Dodge Durango Crew Plus costs $48,995. Actually, only the $46,999 Ford Explorer Limited and the $44,900 Toyota Highlander Limited are cheaper, although the latter doesn’t offer a rear-seat DVD.

With every passing year, the competition gets better and better, and the Pilot needs to stay in the game. In typical Honda product mid-cycle fashion, a facelift should arrive in 2012; we’ll see what other changes will be made.

Still, the Pilot is a competent, practical SUV that’s easy to live with. It maximizes interior space, it arguably consumes a reasonable amount of fuel, and its lack of aggressiveness prevents it from being conceived as an environmentally-unfriendly vehicle. Can the Pilot justify its presence in Honda’s line-up? We think so.

Source;
http://www.auto123.com/en/honda/pilot/2011/review?carid=1112301205&printable=1&artid=130547

Another 2012 Honda CRV Artistical Rendition

Stumbled across this in http://www.crvownersclub.com/ , definately looks like a Honda Accord CrossTour front and gives it an almost 'Mitsubishi-ish' look to it, not sure what to think about this one....

2012 Honda CRV Sketches

It seems that with all of the attention going to what Honda is doing with the next generation Civic, that the 2012 CRV full redesign is quietly flying under the radar, not much out there for info....but there are a couple of speculative sketches....

Source;
http://www.coroflot.com/public/image_file.asp?individual_id=164545&portfolio_id=4383669

Here's the older sketch that's been floating around for awhile....

Globe and Mail: CR-V an SUV you can count on

Here's a nice look at the 2007 Honda CRV, (not much has changed from this to 2010) ....
Since its introduction to the North American market in 1996, the Honda CR-V has been a consistently strong seller for the Japanese company and, as things turned out, one of the most reliable cars on the road. In 2007, Consumer Reports ranked it as the second-most-dependable compact SUV on the market, and it is sold in countries around the world.

Not hard to understand why. The CR-V was, and is, the epitome of driver-friendliness. Easy to drive, comfortable, dependable, affordable, thrifty and versatile. It’s not the kind of vehicle that makes you sit up and bark, but for mainstream buyers, it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.

In 2007, the CR-V underwent some changes. It became more powerful and larger, got a restyling job and was more refined than before. It was offered with 2WD or AWD, and fuel consumption on the AWD was only a titch higher than the FWD version.

Engine output was now up some six hp over 2006, and transmission choice was a five-speed automatic only. Honda called the AWD system on the CR-V “Real Time” 4WD and it was about as unobtrusive as these arrangements get, with a front-drive bias until the wheels need more traction, at which point a power takeoff unit located adjacent to the transmission sends more torque to the back wheels via a driveshaft. This was definitely not a heavy-duty 4WD setup, but it has always done the job.

Aside from its almost ironclad dependability, one of the CR-V’s strongest selling points has been its drivability and user-friendliness. From the beginning, this has been one of the most car-like SUVs on the market, and it is no surprise that a sizable proportion of CR-V buyers are female.

It’s also safe to say that most typical CR-V buyers place reliability and value for money over things like engine displacement, towing capacity, or how quickly you can get from zero to 100 km. Then, as now, the CR-V is the compact-ute for people who don’t really care about cars. Coincidentally, one of my neighbours bought a CR-V new in 1997 and sold it last year, with almost 400,000 trouble-free kilometres on the odometer. “It was still running like a clock when I sold it,” she said.

The CR-V came in two basic trim levels in 2007: LX and EX. Equipment level was reasonably high on the LX, and you got air conditioning, power door locks, power seats, tilt/telescoping steering, remote keyless entry, 60/40-folding rear seats and a full roster of safety features for its $27,700 base price. You could also order things like leather interior, heated front seats and a DVD-based navi system with the top-of-the-line EX-L model. One handy little feature: front-seat armrests.

With the rear sets folded down, the CR-V provided some 2,064 litres of total cargo space. This was less than the same vintage of Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Santa Fe, but for most people in this market, it was all they needed. Honda has known from the beginning what compact SUV buyers look for and the CR-V has always given it to them.

No safety recalls to report either from Transport Canada or the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA, however, does list 12 technical service bulletins for this vintage of CR-V. These include windshield wipers that won’t “park” correctly, front-seat issues and incorrect labelling. There was also that false odometer reading class action suit with some vehicles, but Honda dealt with it.

Tagging the 2007 CR-V as a “Best Bet,” Consumer Reports has good things to say about this compact SUV virtually right across the board. It gets the magazine’s highest marks for predicted reliability, although road noise is a common complaint from owners. Comments include: “rough ride,” “body trim is fragile” and “uncomfortable front seats.”

Aside from some minor gripes regarding lacklustre performance, market research firm J.D. Power gives the 2007 CR-V high marks in virtually all categories. As well as garnering this organization’s awards for “Most Dependable Compact Multi-Activity Vehicle,” “Highest Ranked Multi-Activity Vehicle In Initial Quality” and “Most Appealing Compact Multi-Activity Vehicle,” the 2007 CR-V get top marks from J.D. Power for overall dependability.

No great surprise then to learn that the CR-V has held its value well. You’ll be lucky to find a base 2WD model for less than $16,000 these days, and a well-appointed EX-L fetches at least $20,000.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/used-cars/used-cars-archive/cr-v-an-suv-you-can-count-on/article1669343/

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD - Long-Term Road Test

Here's a good read, they put 40,000 miles on their 2009 Honda Pilot and go over the results....

Ground Control: Another pilot as reliable as Captain Sully.
At Harry Houdini’s funeral, Broadway producers Charles Dillingham and Florenz Ziegfeld agreed to be pallbearers. As they hoisted the coffin out of the church, Dillingham said, “Ziggie, I bet you a hundred bucks he ain’t in here.”

So popular was our long-term Honda Pilot Touring 4WD that, during the summer vacation months, you could likewise bet that its keys weren’t hanging on the sign-out board but were, instead, somewhere out of state. We should have called it the Honda Houdini.

Our Pilot logged its requisite 40,000 miles in 53 weeks, during which spell its 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 was rarely cool. The Pilot visited Ohio, New Jersey, Minnesota, both ­Dakotas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Hershey swap meet, Yellowstone National Park, a Kruse auction, and Manhattan Island. It also carried maybe 350 pounds’ worth of camera and camping gear to Montana in support of our “The Hard Way to Hemingway” feature [December 2009].

In Big Sky country, the Pilot bumped its way along roughly 100 miles of Forest Service roads, where we failed to knock off the chin spoiler but repeatedly scraped the twin chrome exhaust tips while exiting gullies and washouts. We never fully tested its 19-inch wading potential, but, as capabilities go, it was comforting.

Honda has blessed the Pilot with practical design cues aplenty. There’s a useful storage bin beneath the rear third of the cargo bay, cleverly proportioned so that it can still be used when the third-row seats are upright. The backlight opens independently of the rear hatch, and its wiper sweeps about 80 percent of the glass. The IP gauges are paragons of clarity, although the 50 center-stack buttons, dials, and switches are daunting, especially the identical radio volume and tuning knobs, which are confusingly mounted directly atop one another. And here’s something you don’t often see: The automatic temperature control can be set as low as 58 degrees and as high as 86 degrees.

During its life with us, the Pilot was as reliable as congressional spending. It required routine servicing four times, for oil, tire rotation, a variety of inspections, one new cabin air filter, and, strangely, two fresh loads of rear differential lubricant. Those four stops cost $566. Along the way, we replaced the front-wiper-blade inserts ($10), and the V-6 consumed but a half quart of extracurricular oil. The lone item to malfunction was a two-inch plastic trim piece, which fell off during Week One, but we’ll be damned if we can find what it was attached to. Automobiles don’t get more reliable than that.

We did, however, experience a faint, intermittent pulsing through the brake pedal, as if one rotor were mildly warped. It never rose to any appreciable level of annoyance, and, in any event, the pulsing would reliably vanish just before each servicing.

Curiously, the Pilot’s gray leather seats, fore and aft, took on a somewhat disgusting beige patina of, oh, say, the towel that hangs above the french-fry vat at Irvel’s All-U-Can-Eat. This Honda’s leather has a pebbled surface, and the interstices between pebbles apparently are uniquely talented at collecting grime. We scrubbed the cushions first with Griot’s Interior Cleaner, then Armor All Multi-Purpose Auto Cleaner, then plain old Windex. Each worked equally well, which is to say not very. The seats still look as though they should be steam-cleaned with Clorox. In addition, the liftgate’s interior plastic panel appears to have been mauled by a wolverine wielding a cheese grater.

Otherwise, the seats in the Pilot approached perfection: firm but never confining, with an aggressive lower-back bolster much appreciated by the over-50 crowd. Our pilots piloted the Pilot on dozens of 10-to-12-hour slogs. For such spells, the seats drew nothing but praise, and, on at least two occasions, we loaded the vehicle to its eight-passenger capacity. Briefly.

Other complaints? Well, the Pilot’s V-6 produces less power than five of its close competitors, a trait that occasionally drew attention during passing maneuvers and on-ramp sprints. When new, the Pilot required 7.9 seconds to get to 60 mph; a year later, it was 0.2 second quicker. Editors who deployed the Pilot as a tow vehicle—trailer­ing, for instance, a 6-by-12-foot U-Haul box, a 600-pound catamaran, and a Honda S2000 race car—resigned themselves to leisurely motoring, with fuel economy dipping as low as 9 mpg.

The other major criticism was that the Acura MDX–based Pilot always felt, well, a little more truckish than SUVish. In part, that perception can be blamed on the slightly heavy steering. But around town, in particular, the Pilot felt a tad slow-witted, larger than its actual dimensions, and less than eager to make directional changes. Squirting in and out of holes in traffic—and zig­zagging through crowded parking lots—­required care and forethought.

There were also a few beefs about road noise. The Pilot’s firm suspension was adept at yielding to scabrous pavement, but the Michelin LTXs and the 17-inch wheels too audibly telegraphed their outrage with various ka-thunks and ker-blams. On the other hand, the knobby tires were terrific in the snow.

For the rest of the article follow the link;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q1/2009_honda_pilot_touring_4wd-long-term_road_test

Canadian 2011 Honda Pilot Information

No news on a special edition EX-L Navi like in the US....
2011 Honda Pilot LX 2WD
Model Code: YF3H2BE
Colours;
-NH-603PX BWhite (Grey Interior)
-NH-700MX TSilver (Grey Interior)
-NH-731P Black (Grey Interior)
-NH737MX XGrey (Grey Interior)

2011 Honda Pilot LX 4WD
Model Code: YF4H2BE
Colours;
-Same as above

2011 Honda Pilot EX
Model Code: YF4H4BE
Colours;
-Same as above plus;
-R-529P Red (Grey Interior)

2011 Honda Pilot EX-L
Model Code: YF4H5BJN
Colours;
-Same as above plus;
-NH-731PX XBlack (Beige Interior)
-YR-573MX XBeige (Beige Interior)

2011 Honda Pilot EX-L RES (Rear Entertainment System DVD)
Model Code: YF4H6BJN
Colours;
-Same as above

2011 Honda Pilot TOURING
Model Code: YF4H9BKN
Colours;
-Same as above

*The 2011's are on their way and should be at dealers within a week to two weeks.
*No official pricing yet, I don't expect much of a change from the 2010's.

Source;
Honda Canada

2011 Honda Pilot SUV Offers Room for Eight People, Standard V-6 Power with Variable Cylinder Management and Available VTM-4 Four-Wheel-Drive

Pilot EX-L adds available navigation system for 2011 (not sure if this is going to be in Canada too, I'll let you know once I know). I will say this, 2010 pretty much just started! This early introduction thing is getting silly, call it a 2010.5 or something....
03/15/2010 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
The Honda Pilot earned its reputation as one of the original innovators in the crossover SUV segment, raising the prominence of on-road driving sophistication, three-row passenger capability and higher fuel efficiency compared to conventional SUV designs.

Currently in its second generation, the Pilot continues to represent the refined, comfortable, and family-oriented vehicle choice with space for eight passengers and a wide variety of useful capabilities and premium features. New for 2011, the availability of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ expands to the Pilot EX-L model, a feature previously exclusive to the top-level Pilot Touring model.

"The Honda Pilot excels at providing the capabilities that people desire most from a family-oriented SUV," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of Product Planning for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The Pilot emphasizes safety, versatile cargo areas and comfortable space for adults and children, while also providing a smart balance between all-weather capabilities, refined driving dynamics and overall fuel efficiency."

The 250-horsepower V-6 engine provides both performance and enhanced efficiency with Variable Cylinder Management™, a technology that can deactivate up to three of the engine's six cylinders to save fuel when cruising or lightly accelerating.

The available Variable Torque Management™ 4-Wheel-Drive (VTM-4®) directs power to the wheels with the most traction in rain, snow and slippery terrain. All models are equipped with a standard towing hitch receiver and a maximum tow rating of 4,500 pounds on 4WD models and 3,500 pounds on 2WD models1.

Consistent with contemporary SUV styling, the exterior conveys a bold and substantial approach that also helps to maximize interior space, yet the Pilot still maintains a garage-friendly exterior length of less than 16 feet. The interior emphasizes an expansive feel with an efficient and modern design that supplies 152.7 cu-ft. of passenger space within three rows of seats.

Adjustable storage compartments in the center console can accommodate items large and small from handbags to mobile phones. The instrument panel's wide center stack intelligently groups similar controls for the audio system, climate controls and the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System and Honda DVD Entertainment System (if equipped). All models provide an auxiliary audio input jack for digital music players, and navigation-equipped models also include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and a USB audio interface2.

The first row provides a commanding view of the road for the driver and the passenger. The 60/40 split second row bench seat accommodates three passengers and slides forward for increased ease-of-access to the third row. The third-row bench seat, also split 60/40, is designed to offer sufficient knee room for an average size adult. There are four Lower Anchor and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) attachment positions, which provide options for three child seats in the second row and one in the third row.

The 18.0 cu-ft of cargo space behind the third row matches or exceeds the trunk space of a typical large sedan and can accommodate items as large as a mid-size cooler or a folded stroller.

The cargo area has a hidden storage well that provides 2.8 cu-ft. of space and can combine with the above floor storage area by securing the hinged cover against the seatback. The Pilot Touring provides a load-supporting cargo net (20 pounds maximum weight) to further subdivide the rear cargo area. For maximum cargo space, the second and third rows fold flat into the floor to create 87.0 cubic feet of storage capacity, while also providing sufficient width for 4-foot-wide items. The tailgate features a lift-up glass hatch for access to the cargo area.

Safety technology includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure that helps redirect crash energy around the passenger cabin and can enhance frontal collision compatibility. Additional safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as Electronic Stability Control; three-row side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; driver's and front passenger's side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); active front seat head restraints; and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist.

The Pilot is powered by an advanced 24-valve i-VTEC engine with "intelligent" Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) technology. As part of the Pilot's i-VTEC technology, Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) allows the V-6 engine to operate in six-cylinder mode for power and four- or three-cylinder modes for efficiency. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated3 city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/23/19 miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22/18 miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models. A 21-gallon fuel tank can comfortably provide a driving range of more than 400 miles on the highway. The Pilot has a California Air Resource Board emissions rating of ULEV-2 and a Federal Tier 2, Bin 5 rating.The 5-speed automatic transmission features Grade Logic Control to help maintain the most appropriate gear when going uphill or downhill, thereby avoiding gear "hunting." The VTM-4 system (available) adds fully automatic four-wheel-drive capability. VTM-4 delivers seamless, "decision-free" application of four-wheel-drive when needed, a key benefit compared to conventional systems. The system also provides a "lock mode" - available when in first or second gears (up to 18 mph) and activated by a button on the instrument panel - that can deliver the maximum-possible torque transfer to the rear wheels to aid in extraction from extremely low traction or stuck conditions.

The unit-body construction makes extensive use of high-strength steel (52 percent) to minimize weight. The suspension is a fully independent system with front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link with trailing arm designs that contribute to responsive driving characteristics for an SUV. The 109.2-inch wheelbase facilitates a smooth ride and standard 17-inch wheels with P245 65 R17 all-season tires combine both on- and off-road performance. A turning diameter of 38.6 feet aids maneuverability in tight parking situations.

The Pilot is available in four model choices (LX, EX, EX-L and Touring); each offered in either a two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration. Standard comfort and convenience features on the Pilot LX include a front and rear air conditioning system with air-filtration system, keyless entry, tilt and telescope steering column, cruise control, power windows with auto-up/down driver's and passenger's window, power door and tailgate locks, AM/FM/CD stereo system with 7-speakers including subwoofer and Radio Data System (RDS), trip computer, digital compass, auto on/off headlights, heat-rejecting tinted glass, integrated class III towing receiver, and more.

The Pilot EX adds a tri-zone automatic climate control system with humidity control and air filtration, a power driver's seat with 10-way power adjustment with lumbar support, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, security system, XM Radio®4, body-colored side mirrors and door handles, alloy wheels, roof rails, fog lights, exterior temperature indicator, HomeLink® Remote System, and more.

The Pilot EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated front seats, 4-way power front passenger's seat, one-touch power moonroof, acoustic windshield glass, automatic-dimming rearview mirror with rearview camera display (EX-L-exclusive), and the availability of either the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with rearview camera (navi display replaces backup monitor in EX-L rearview mirror) or the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen. The addition of either the navigation or the entertainment system also upgrades to the Premium Audio System with 10 speakers including subwoofer, and adds a 115-volt power outlet.

The top-of-the-line Pilot Touring comes standard with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with rearview camera, Premium Audio System, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, USB Audio Interface, the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System, Multi-Information Display, two-position memory seats, corner and backup sensors, exclusive alloy wheels, power tailgate, side-mirror integrated turn indicators, and more. The Pilot is assembled from domestic and globally sourced parts at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, Alabama. Honda R&D Americas designed and developed the Pilot in Raymond, Ohio, and Torrance, California. Additional consumer information is available at www.honda.com. Additional media information is available at www.hondanews.com.

1 Maximum towing capacity for 4WD models is 4,500 lbs. Premium unleaded fuel is recommended when towing above 3,500 lbs. Maximum towing capacity for 2WD models is 3,500 lbs. Towing requires the addition of the Honda accessory towing kit, trailer harness and hitch ball. Trailer harness is standard on Touring models. Please see your Honda dealer for additional towing information.
2 The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your local Honda dealer for details on compatibility.
3 Based on 2011 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.
4 Required XM Radio subscription sold separately after 90-day trial period. Subscriptions are governed by the XMCustomer Agreement available at xmradio.com/serviceterms. Other fees and taxes apply after trial period; see XM Customer

Agreement for details. Fees and programming subject to change. Service not available in Canada, Alaska, or Hawaii. © 2010 SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries

Third-party disclaimers: Windows Media Audio is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. HomeLink® is a registered trademark of Prince Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls™. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any such use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/804/releases/5391

2010 Honda CR-V EX-L NAVI Review

Standing out from the crowd is no small task for compact sport utility vehicles. The competition in this market segment keeps getting wider and fiercer. Yet, at the same time, most entries feature similar aesthetics, making the selection a tough dilemma.

The front grille stretches wide to form a complex structure that integrates a pair of tapered headlight clusters for a unique crowning effect.

How does the Honda CR-V continue to shine, then? Well, this popular Japanese SUV boasts a rather distinctive silhouette and, while extreme off-road trips are definitely not its game, it offers a smooth, uneventful ride along with a sensible, fuel-efficient operation.

Sensible — now that’s a word that perfectly defines all aspects of the 2010 Honda CR-V.

Singular styling
It’s obviously a difficult thing to let your imagination run wild and create a fancy design when you’re given a specific assignment: to develop an SUV-style product that will appeal to the masses.

Consequently, Honda designers didn’t break any mold with the CR-V’s raised tail, fairly upright hatch and anonymous body lines. They did, however, have fun with the slightly arching roofline in the back that somewhat improves aerodynamics (or at least the impression of). The shape of the rearmost side windows further enhances this feeling of motion.

Revised for 2010, the front grille stretches wide to form a complex structure that integrates a pair of tapered headlight clusters for a unique crowning effect. Here you have an unpretentious SUV that still manages to stand out at first glance. Nothing flashy; just smart stuff.

Inside, the CR-V is surprisingly well-equipped (granted, my tester was the top-of-the-line EX-L NAVI). Build quality and material selection also impressed me, especially given the price range. The cabin is fairly spacious, too. Even tall friends of mine who sat in the back never complained about a lack of room. Behind them was a convenient cargo area offering easy access and decent volume.

Up front, the dashboard sure looks nice and displays cool backlighting at night, but the gear selector once again finds itself in an unconventional spot, right in the middle of the center stack. Some say they appreciate such ergonomics; I, on the contrary, find manipulating the CR-V shifter quite unnatural and unpleasant.

Build quality and material selection impressed me, especially given the price range.

Newfound energy on the road
The biggest flaw of the Honda CR-V used to be its underpowered 4-cylinder engine that often voiced discontent whenever you would try to push it. Fortunately, engineers addressed the issue by increasing output (+14 horsepower) while making the engine less fuel-thirsty. Bravo!

The new mill could be described as lively and responsive, not to mention quiet and predictable, even when you ask for a little more performance than you probably should. On-the-fly accelerations aren’t breathtaking but still on par with buyer expectations for this type of vehicle. As a bonus, the five-speed automatic transmission with Grade Logic Control knows how to pick the right gear at the right time.
The suspension plays a key role in delivering car-like driving dynamics, while Honda’s part-time 4WD system proves opportunistic in the most civilized conditions.

On the other hand, the steering doesn’t feel as sharp and high on feedback as one could hope for. It does a decent job most of the time but clearly remains the weakest link in an otherwise well-executed, fun-to-drive compact 'ute.

The suspension plays a key role in delivering car-like driving dynamics, while Honda’s part-time 4WD system (which acts like a FWD setup until the front wheels start to slip) proves opportunistic in the most civilized conditions. As mentioned earlier, the CR-V should never be mistaken for an extreme sports tool; drivers who dare will get stuck in a hurry.

Wrap-up

Like I said, the competition in the compact SUV segment is wide open and incredibly fierce. Admittedly, despite a few shortcomings, the 2010 Honda CR-V still comes from the dominant breed and attracts more than a fair share of consumers. Emotion has little to do here; CR-V success depends on a simple, sensible recipe.

Source;

http://www.auto123.com/en/honda/cr-v/2010/review?carid=1102300306&artid=117056&pg=2

Honda Crossroad Video Review

This is for those that are interested in seeing what Honda sells in other (non-North American) markets....

Honda Crossroad 2007 Test Drive
Uploaded by NihonCar. - Dramatic race and crash videos.

Enjoy!

2010 Honda Pilot Touring Review

Pilot's Size and Practicality Hard to Beat

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.

Traction maximized
The Pilot utilizes Honda’s highly effective Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel-Drive System (VTM-4) to ensure access to the ski hill or lake. This setup operates automatically, apportioning power to where it’s of greatest use.

In extremely low traction conditions, such as on an icy slope, a dash-mounted button enables the driver to lock the rear differential to maximize bite. The system remains locked until a speed of 30km/h or so is crested. This application is particularly useful for overcoming situations that might find other light-duty SUVs spinning madly in a futile search for traction.

I’ve relied upon Honda’s VTM-4 in a severe snowstorm on unplowed roads that were buried in a good 15-20cm of snow, and found it to be remarkably effective. But keep in mind that we’re talking about light-duty 4WD operation. The Pilot is not a serious off-roader. It’s not equipped with a low-range transfer case or off-road functions such as Downhill Assist.

On the road
The 2010 Pilot is outfitted to ensure that road trips are as pleasurable as possible. Seating is comfortable. Large windows all around provide everyone with a panoramic view of the passing sights. Equipment available to enhance the ride includes tri-zone climate control, heated rear seats and DVD entertainment.

Twelve large cup holders keep occupants properly hydrated while darkly tinted side and rear glass keeps the sun in-check.

With a rating of 250 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm and 253 pound-feet of torque @ 4,800 rpm, the 3.5-litre SOHC V6 gets the job done with C+ competency. This is a “comfortable” engine but not a burning pit of intensity. That said, the Pilot provides competent acceleration and passing performance.

A 5-speed autobox manages gear changes with more than adequate skill and predictability. Unfortunately an electronic manual-mode is not part of the package, which tends to discourage driver input.

On the flip side, the Pilot is equipped with strong, predictable 4-wheel antilock disc brakes. It’s also stuffed full of occupant protection, including 3-row side curtain airbags with rollover protection.

Does it feel too big?
The 2010 Honda Pilot is a pleasant rig to administer. It does however feel fairly bulky, and surprisingly large. Its seating position is high, and its hood is long and broad, the combination of which may contribute to the sense of size and substance.

But don’t let visions of grandeur discourage. I felt very safe and well protected in the Pilot. I also found it easy to manoeuvrer; certainly much easier than some similarly sized SUVs that don’t provide the same clean sight lines.

My tester was the Touring edition of the Pilot, meaning it carried a full load of equipment that included a rear back-up camera. This feature was of great assistance when reversing into a tight parking spot.

Ride and comfort
The Pilot is a stable road performer that treats its occupants to a comfortable ride in a sufficiently quiet cabin. It’s not as luxurious as the Buick Enclave but won’t disappoint even the fussiest of folk. It brings forth many strengths, including size, practicality, value and efficiency.

Source;
http://www.auto123.com/en/honda/pilot/2010/review?carid=1102301205&printable=1&artid=114283

Honda Greenlights a 2nd Generation Element

In spite of being functionally outstanding, Honda's odd looking Element crossover has never lived up to sales expectations. The funky box never approached the initial sales target of 75,000 units a year, and this year it's on track for barely more than 15,000 sales. Despite its relative commercial failure, Honda has reportedly given the green light to a second generation model. Despite a couple of modest freshenings, the Element is already seven years into its life cycle – considerably longer than typical for a Japanese branded model.

Given the slow sales, why would Honda bother with a new iteration? Honda's executive vice-president, John Mendel, has informed Automotive News that virtually all Element sales are incremental. The Element shares its platform with the much higher volume CR-V, but apparently almost no buyers cross-shop the two vehicles – Element buyers have no interest in the CR-V and vice-versa. If Honda does proceed with a new model, perhaps unique features like the recently introduced dog friendly package will be the key to increased differentiation and success.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/14/report-honda-finally-approves-a-second-act-for-the-element/

Interior Pic's of the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype

www.vtec.net has some excellent interior shots of the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. I like how they changed the position of the shifter. Much nicer. All indications lead me to believe that this is going to be a sharp reflection of what the production version will look like.

2009 Honda Pilot Prototype at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Well, here we have it, the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype. I can't believe that Honda was able to keep this a secret for so long, alot of the other manufacturer's had alot of 'leaked' photos.

Here's a write up from Honda;
"Introducing a new prototype vehicle from Honda, packed with smart, practical features and advanced safety, fuel-efficiency and convenience technologies. The prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Pilot redefined the midsized SUV with clean lines, better on-road handling and a more spacious interior, and the prototype promises to up the ante with even more to love."

Here's a link to the Official Site;
http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-prototype-pilot/

Popular Mechanics had a nice write up on the vehicle;
"DETROIT — Honda showed a more smoothly-styled Pilot crossover SUV Prototype at Detroit this afternoon. It’s slated for introduction as a 2009 model and we’re guessing it’s pretty close, if not identical, to the vehicle we’ll see in Honda stores late this summer or early fall. The Pilot has been restyled to be more polished than the rather bland-looking current Pilot introduced back in 2003, and there are plenty of detail changes on the inside as well.

The middle and third row seats, which both hold three passengers, fold flat into the floor for cargo hauling. You can even split the seats 60/40 for the ability to haul long packages and people together. The engine uses variable-displacement technology for improved economy. Previously, the 244-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine would shut down three cylinders when power demands were modest, like at lower speeds on flat terrain. The ’09 Pilot uses a more sophisticated system that will run as a 3-, 4- or 6-cylinder engine. Honda says the goal is to more closely match the engine displacement to the need for speed at any moment. As usual for Honda, smart idea.

Honda even claims the Pilot’s AWD system will be effective in “medium-duty” off-road conditions. But Honda’s “medium-duty” really means light-duty. The lack of ground clearance and low range will likely restrict the new Pilot, like the old, to many of the same dirt trails other crossover SUVs travel.

On the safety front, quite literally, Honda says the new Pilot will reduce pedestrian injuries. The frontend is designed to absorb impact and lessen injuries in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident. City dwellers that walk to work will surely appreciate that feature. —Mike Allen"

Here's the link to that one;
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4244647.html

Here's a link to a previous article of what we know so far about the vehicle;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/01/2009-honda-pilot-what-we-know-so-far.html

2009 Honda Pilot, What we know so far;

Well, it's been a pretty slow week for news, so I decided to put together a recap of everything that we know about the new 2009 Honda Pilot.

- At 1:45 PM on Sunday, January 13th, Honda will be revealing their prototype of the 2009 Pilot at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

-Expected release date is in June/July of 2008.

-A Diesel powertrain is expected to be released later in the year, however I expect it to be in the 2010/2011 model year.

-A 3.7Litre or a 3.8Litre engine is expected, up from the 3.5Litre that it has now.

-Horse Power is expected to go upwards to around 270hp from the 244hp it has now.-The new Pilot is said have more towing and cargo hauling capacity.

-The Diesel is expected to be Honda's new 3.5Litre V6, and is expected to get approx. 30% better fuel economy than the regular gas engine.

-The Pilot will run on regular unleaded fuel and won't be thirsty for premium.

-Honda said the new Pilot is sleek and futuristic-looking and will have advanced safety and fuel efficiency technology.

-The future Pilot is unlikely to employ a V-8 engine.

-A less-boxy and more-sculpted look than today's Pilot is expected.

-Judging by the latest MDX, the 2009 Honda Pilot is likely to add two inches to its wheelbase and overall length, and could swell two or three inches wider, all for more passenger and cargo room. Standard three-row seating will continue.

-Rumours of Variable Cylinder Management on all models abound (Cylinder deactivation, 6 to 4) to conserve fuel.

-The model will also pack in a complete overhaul of the interiors.