The 2014 Honda Pilot is a reliable/spacious SUV, easy to drive around town and a real joy to drive off-road…

The 2014 Honda Pilot has enough space to get you, your family, and all your gear to the campsite and let’s not forget the family dog!

Looks:

Even though the vehicle was last re-designed as long ago as 2009, it still fits the market today and it has a unique style to it.

In The Cab:

Inside updates and improvements ensure there is plenty of room for eight in this large sport ute. The 60/40 second row and third row bench seats fold flat to give a good surface to transport larger items. Another added improvement is the rear glass that opens independently from the hatch. If you go for the EX-L or Touring edition there is a power lift gate. A 229-watt audio system with seven speakers and a subwoofer is available on the LX 2wd, LX, EX and EX-L model while the Touring comes with a 650-watt, AM/FM/CD Premium audio system with MP3/Windows media and 10 speakers including a 5.1 surround sound theater mode, also a 15 GB hard drive (HDD) audio storage. There is an available Honda DVD rear entertainment system with 9-inch display.  And check this out: there’s an optional Honda satellite-linked navigation system with trilingual voice recognition that responds to over 800 verbal commands

Safety first:

The 2014 Pilot’s standard safety equipment includes Vehicle Stability Assist, commonly known as electronic stability control with traction control and ABS. There are three row-side curtain airbags with roll over sensors; dual stage front air bags, a driver’s front side air bag, and a passenger’s front side air bag with occupant position detection system. There’s also have hill start assist on all models. The VTM-4 system directs power to the front differential when extra traction is not required, helping with the fuel economy, when more traction is required, the system engages the rear differential.

Power:

The 3.5 litre, 24-valve, SOHC i-VTEC  V6 engine delivers 250 hp and 253 ft lbs of torque. Variable cylinder management (VCM) which shuts down two or three cylinders when not required. The five speed automatic transmission runs smoothly and very quiet when shifting. When the green ECO light comes on, I noticed the transmission was a little noisier as the engine decreased the number of cylinders in operation. The Pilot has a tow rating of 2045 kg (4500 lb)

Roadworthy:

I took the Touring edition up some logging roads in Squamish. It was incredibly smooth as it glided over potholes and dodged ditches.

Verdict:

The 2014 Honda Pilot is a reliable/spacious SUV, easy to drive around town and a real joy to drive off-road.

Pump frequency:

13.1 L/9.1 L/100 km (city/highway)

Warranty support:

36 month/ 60,000 km with 60 month/ 100,000 km power train warranty

Sticker price:

LX 2WD: $36,842

LX: $39,897

EX: $42,897

EX-L: $45,397

EX-L RES: $46,897

Touring (Test vehicle): $50,662

Contact: ian [dot] harwood [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca