Styling:
Even though Honda has squared up the edges and lines of the Pilot, it looks significantly beefier than previous versions. The front grill adds to the machismo of the new Pilot. It looks like it could take a whipping, then keep on dishing it out, yet it doesn’t look out of place in the city. The lines of the vehicle are clean and everything blends in really nicely. All 2009 Pilot models feature the rear privacy glass, which helps keep the rear passengers cool, and cargo items safe from prying eyes. The integrated sun-shade for the second row door windows provide more security from prying eyes. Additionally, the Touring edition has the side-mirror integrated turn signals. While these are seamlessly blended into the side mirror for the sake of style - it also doubles as a safety feature, making it easier for other drivers to know your intentions. Safety, thoughtfulness and style, all rolled into one. Genius!

Value:
Overall, the Pilot is not a cheap vehicle. The Touring edition comes in at around $38k. Keep in mind, the Touring edition is also an entirely NEW model in the Pilot line, and it does not feel or perform like a cheap vehicle. It’s a very nice SUV in its price range. The features are NICE and the costs of those add up if you were to add them in separately. If you were looking to spend less for a Pilot, there are 2 lower trim lines in the family that would get you the same vehicle, but with slightly less bling.

Honda’s safety record is again evident in the Pilot. The NHTSA has given the Pilot 5 stars in both frontal and side impact safety ratings. Additionally, the Pilot is loaded with other safety features including: Vehicle Stability Assist (which helps sense over and under-steer,t hen brakes individual wheels and/or reduces throttle to help restore your intended travel path), 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist. The Pilot provides superior defense in the event of a crash with it’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) (the body structure helps absorb and disburse crash energy over a larger area in case of a frontal impact). ACE also makes the Pilot more crash compatible in the event of a frontal impact with vehicles of differing ride heights. There are also front and side impact airbags for the passenger side, and three-row side impact curtains for your passengers, as well as a rollover sensor. This should give you and your passengers peace of mind when riding in a Pilot.

All that being said, the experience I had with the Pilot Touring edition, it’s safety record, it’s ease of drivability and the Honda name: I think it’s worth it.

Conclusion:
The Pilot is a solid, well-performing SUV. The 2009 model has been re-designed, and while it’s squarer shaped than previous years, it looks a lot more bad-*ss. It’s comfortable, spacious, easy to see out of, and the features that came with it are very useful for drivers and passengers as well. It appeared truck-like, without actually driving like one, which is a pretty great accomplishment.

Honda Photo Gallery	Honda Pilot Specs
Honda Motor Company of America: Cars, Sedans, CUVs, Trucks - www.autombiles.honda.com

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