MDX for the masses: goodbye passport. mid-size SUV buyers now have a real Honda to call their own - Product/2003 Honda Pilot

Automotive Industries, June, 2002 by John Peter

When Acura introduced the MDX luxury sport utility vehicle to the Automotive Press two years ago, sister division Honda was well into the development phase of its platform-sharing Pilot SUV. But unlike the MDX, the Pilot was aimed at and priced for the mainstream midsized SUV segment.

While Pilot and MDX share suspension and drivetrain, they have nothing else in common. As Honda likes to say, everything you can see, touch and feel is unique to the Pilot.

"We knew in the beginning," says Frank Paluch, MDX and Pilot large project leader, "the key to the Pilot's success was to separate that main stream SUV buyer from the luxury SUV buyer. We didn't want these guys to cross shop."

"When we started to develop the Honda SUV," Paluch says, "we began with really trying to understand the SUV customer as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the current market."

Honda also had a new breed of competitors.

"We weren't dealing with the (BMW) X5, the (Lexus) RX and the (Mercedes) ML anymore," says Paluch. "We were dealing with Explorer, Highlander, Durango and Trailblazer -- the big heavy hitters -- the 800 pound Gorillas in the class."

In typical Honda fashion, it not only set out to build a competitive mid-size SUV, it set out to build a vehicle that would create a whole new set of benchmarks. Before pencil was put to paper, the folks at Honda needed to understand what it was that the mid-size SUV buyer was looking for.

Honda engineers conducted extensive research, including customer clinics and surveys. They made investigative trips to malls, schools, home improvement stores and family vacation spots, as well as home visits with SUV owners. What they found is that the mainstream buyer wants a vehicle that combines the best attributes of both personal size and full size SUVs -- i.e. large interior volume with less exterior size. They wanted a car-like ride in an SUV that still had off-road capabilities.

All of these elements were brought together under the theme: The Ultimate American Family Adventure Vehicle.

Whereas MDX was designed from the exterior in, Pilot was designed from the interior out, with family function being the highest priority. To create a full-size SUV interior, designers pushed the IP back, raised the roof three inches higher than MDX and sculpted out the door panels.

From the driver's seat, (or is that the Pilot's seat?) the view is more minivan-like than SUV. The top of the dash extends well out from the IP and the windshield is big and offers great visibility.

The center stack houses the HVAC, audio system and an optional navigation system available on EX models with a leather interior. Those opting for the navigation system can also add a rear entertainment system with a flip-down 7-inch screen.

The Pilot comes with a four-channel 130-watt AM/FM/CD four-speaker stereo. EX models add a cassette player, two tweeters, a rear-mounted sub woofer and a five-channel, 155-watt amp.

A column-mounted shifter leaves room between the front seats for a multi-function center console, with a storage bin, two removable cup holders and a cradle for a cellular telephone. Built into the storage unit is a writing tray with a Post-it note pad and a clip for a pen. There's also a 12-volt power outlet and netted map pockets mounted on the side.

The Pilot seats eight. Front buckets on the LX model are six-way manually adjustable. EX models feature an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat. Both the second and third row seats are 60-40 split and easily fold flat into the cargo floor.

The interior features theater-style seating. The second row sits one inch higher than the front buckets and the third row, which was designed specifically for children, sits two inches higher than the second seat. Larger glass improves visibility.

EX models offer leather seating for the front buckets and second row, and matching vinyl for the third row to minimize scuffing and damage. It also features a kid's activity tray that folds down between the second seats. There is a space for coloring books and crayons, two cup holders and a special spot for fast-food dipping sauces. There are also two cup holders for the third row of seats bringing the grand total to nine.

The Pilot is 4.5 inches wider than the nearest competitor, wide enough that a 4-foot sheet of plywood will lay fiat across the load floor. Honda boasts a class-leading 90.3 cubic feet of cargo space with second and third rows of seats folded down.

If mainstream buyers want traditional SUV styling, then Pilot is sure to please. Pilot's two-box structure and large grille bear a strong resemblance to the CRV, with headlamps and taillights that take their styling cues from the next generation Hondas.

Borrowed From MDX

The Pilot is powered by the same 3.5 L 24-valve V-6 VTEC engine found in the MDX. The all-aluminum V-6 puts out 240 hp at 5,400 rpm and 242 lb ft of torque at 4500 rpm. The 3.5L utilizes a three-rocker cam system. The two intake rocker arms are programmed to follow low-lift profile cam lobes. The two low-speed intake cam lobes are purposely different to provide asymmetrical air/fuel mixture flow into the cylinder. This creates a swirl effect that improves combustion efficiency for better performance, fuel economy and reduced emissions.