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.
