2009 Honda Pilot Review The redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot is a spacious, eight-passenger mid-size crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a rugged exterior and interior styling along with a more usable third-row seat. The Pilot is a well balanced vehicle which maintains better performance in flexibility and fuel economy. Sufficient space, road manners, and comfort are the hallmarks of the new Pilot. For 2009, all Honda Pilot SUVs are available with a Class III tow hitch and coolers required for towing. A wiring pigtail is available with the dealer. The top tow rating remains at 4500 pounds on 4WD and 3500 pounds on front-drive models. Roof rails are standard on better trims. Comfortable ride, ample cargo capacity, refined powertrain, adult-ready third-row seat and innovative interior storage are the key features of the 2009 Honda Pilot.
2009 Honda Pilot Model lineup The Honda Pilot comes in four variants. Each model is offered both in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. All mechanical and safety features and systems are similar across the range. Navigation is available only on top-line models, and the rear-seat DVD entertainment system is available only on the top two trims. The Honda Pilot LX comes with five-speed automatic, cloth upholstery, front and rear climate control, steel wheels, Hill Start Assist, four front seatback pockets, six reading lights, reconfigurable cargo area, 60/40 split-folding second and third row seats, trip computer, flip-up hatch glass, intermittent rear wipe/wash, power windows/locks/mirrors, tow hitch, tinted rear windows, automatic headlamps, cruise control, center console, visor extensions and illuminated mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering column, seven-speaker system with 6CD changer and MP3 jack. There are no options on the LX. The Honda Pilot EX gets alloy wheels, security system, heated body-color mirrors, roof rails, three-zone climate control, fog lights, chrome exhaust tips, HomeLink, conversation mirror, eight-way power driver seat, XM radio, and exterior temperature indicator. No options. The Honda Pilot EX-L, the Honda Pilot EX with leather, gets the following features to qualify as a separate model: heated front seats, four-way power passenger seat, leather upholstery and wrap for steering wheel and shifter, moonroof, a noise-reducing laminated windshield, and an auto-dimming inside mirror with rearview camera display. A rear-seat DVD system with 115-volt AC outlet is an option.		Get AutoUSA Internet Prices on this Pilot

The Touring tops the line and further trims out the EX-L with a power tailgate, driver memory system, chrome side trim, signals in outside mirrors, trailer pre-wire, parking sensors front and rear, voice-recognition navigation with rear camera/Bluetooth/interface jog-dial control, second-row window shades, 512-watt 10-speaker audio system and USB port, and time/speed functions added to the trip computer. Rear-seat entertainment is optional.

2009 Honda Pilot Inside and out

The 2009 Honda Pilot is one of the most efficient eight-seat crossovers available today offering models suitable for hard-core outdoor adventurers. Basically, the Pilot has been derived from the same platform as the Acura MDX big crossover, but the engines are different; do not share many features, or end-user purpose and philosophy. Outside, the Pilot appears as bulky as any other full-size SUV like the Nissan Armada or the Toyota Sequoia, though it weighs considerably less than any full-size four-wheel drive like those.

The 2009 Honda Pilot can handle four adults and four kids easily. There’s plenty of storage space inside including six cup holders in the second row and eight door cargo pockets. The all-wheel drive Pilot model allows another 1000 pounds in tow rating and provides better acceleration and climbing in snow; with the same tires and brakes. The surfaces are not sloped inward at the roof and give more head space and making way for big-box cargo loading, and the three inches of extra length have gone between the axles and into the cabin.

The Pilot’s interior is well planned and assembled with easy functional touches. The cloth upholstery on LX and EX is comfortable even in temperature extremes whether it’s summer or winter. However, one may desire more features from top models yet the basics are all here, including power windows and locks and air conditioning for front and rear. All trims offer four interior colors dependent on paint hue. Premium models are upgraded with nicely textured leather, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, and more upscale door panel trim.

The third row seats are very easily accessible. Like the middle row, the third-row seat splits to fold flat, has three usable headrests and offers storage on both sides. The optional rear-seat entertainment system is available.

2009 Honda Pilot Driving Impressions

The 2009 Honda Pilot feels balanced on the road with sufficient power, brakes, decent ride quality and handling. The 3.5-liter V6 engine utilizes the Honda's Variable Cylinder Management to switch off two or three of its six cylinders to save fuel; the ECO light on the dash shows when you are getting best economy and does not necessarily mean it is running as a three- or four-cylinder engine.

The Honda Pilot is among the lightest of the eight-seat crossovers the suspension can be tuned for ride comfort without requiring undue stiffness for control. However, when compared to other crossover redesigns in the recent times, the Pilot seems to ride a bit softer. The most sporting drive in the segment is Mazda's CX-9 and the Pilot is more maneuverable than any of them.

2009 Honda Pilot Safety features

Front and front side airbags, three-row side curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (electronic stability control), daytime running lights, four child-seat LATCH positions, active front head rests, and eight adjustable headrests and shoulder belts are standard across the Pilot range.