After a complete redesign last year, the 2010 Honda Pilot stands pat except for standard two-stage heated seats on the EX-L model and integrated rear window sunshades on the Touring.
Automotive names are often inscrutable, but the 2010 Honda Pilot's got a simple one. The trouble starts with the brakes -- the 2010 Honda Pilot required almost 150 feet of pavement to come to a halt in our instrumented 60-0-mph testing, which is a solid 20 feet or more behind rival crossovers. The 2010 Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV offered in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The EX adds foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power driver seat, an in-dash six-CD changer, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, tri-zone automatic climate control and satellite radio. The DVD system is the only option on Touring models.
The 2010 Honda Pilot is motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 250 hp and 253 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all Pilot models are available with an all-wheel-drive system that automatically apportions power to the rear wheels -- up to 70 percent -- when front slippage occurs.
Safety Standard safety equipment includes stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. In government crash tests, the Pilot performed flawlessly, scoring a perfect five stars in frontal and side-impact testing, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety likewise awarded the Pilot its top "Good" rating for both frontal-offset and side-impact crashes. The 2010 Honda Pilot's interior layout is rugged-looking, in keeping with the boxy exterior.
Driving Impressions A lack of low-end torque from the V6 makes the 2010 Honda Pilot feel rather flat-footed off the line.
There are no significant changes to the 2010 Honda Odyssey.The current-generation Honda Odyssey has been around since 2005.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and OptionsThe 2010 Honda Odyssey is offered in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The EX trim level adds alloy wheels, power-sliding rear doors, roof rails, heated outside mirrors, automatic headlights, a power driver seat, a removable second-row center seat, a conversation mirror, automatic triple-zone climate control and a six-speaker audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.
The EX-L goes markedly upscale by adding a leather-trimmed interior, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, a power liftgate, a back-up camera with a rearview-mirror-mounted display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror,satellite radio and a sunroof. The 2010 Honda Odyssey is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 244 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque (EX-L and Touring models get an additional boost of 5 pound-feet). This system allows those particular Odysseys to return an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined -- a notable improvement over the base engine's 16/23/18.
SafetyThe 2010 Honda Odyssey comes with standard safety features that include antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front-seat side-impact airbags and full-length head curtain airbags with a rollover sensor. 2010 Honda Odyssey can be configured to seat seven or eight passengers, with the eighth occupant relegated to the removable PlusOne center seat in the second row on EX, EX-L and Touring models.
The Honda Insight hybrid is back. Under the new Insight's hood is Honda's familiar Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. Notably, the gas engine's crankshaft never stops spinning, even when the Insight is operating solely on electric power, so there's no unseemly coughing or rumbling as the gas engine comes online.
With a starting price in the high teens, the Insight handily undercuts its crosstown rival's $22,000 base price, not to mention the Civic Hybrid's $23,550 cost of entry. The 2010 Honda Insight is a four-door hatchback available in base LX and uplevel EX trims. The EX adds alloy wheels, side-mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, stability control, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port and a fully integrated iPod connection. The 2010 Honda Insight's hybrid system consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor paired with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. According to Honda, EPA fuel economy ratings are 40 mpg city/43 highway and 41 combined.
All Insights come standard with antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. However, the base Insight LX lacks stability control and traction control, which come standard on the EX. Inside, the 2010 Honda Insight is a distinctive mix of familiar Honda design elements and edgy hybrid-themed flourishes. Toyota's roomy hybrid still trumps the Insight in this regard.
Driving Impressions The words "hybrid" and "sporty" remain mutually exclusive at this modest price point, but the 2010 Honda Insight is by far the most enjoyable hybrid hatchback to drive.
After a complete redesign last year, the 2010 Honda Pilot stands pat except for standard two-stage heated seats on the EX-L model and integrated rear window sunshades on the Touring.
