Honda’s Pilot comes off as family-values motoring at its finest.  It’s big and purposeful, with a blocky design that’s more curb appeal-friendly than a minivan’s but enough smooth edges that it’s not mistaken for a self-indulgent, fuelish SUV.  Those slab sides also project an impression of strength and a willingness to protect the seven passengers within.

And that’s just from the outside.  An environment-friendly 3.5 liter V6 engine, generous safety and comfort features and improved fuel economy for 2012 are on hand to put the Pilot near the top of any family’s list.

Honda’s corporate “green” message would seem to make large SUVs an illogical arena, but the Pilot confounds that logic by resisting even the trend toward crossover-type styling.  Big and wide, the Pilot is a brick in a world of river-smoothed stones; this thing is a truck, and it wants you to know that at first glance.  The details are chunky, from the large headlights and three-bar grille to the aero-smoothed bumpers and beveled rear end.  Pavement-friendly tires wrapped around seventeen- or eighteen-inch wheels are framed by smoothed-off wheel wells.

Interior proportions are generous, with three full rows and a wide enough body for three-across seating.  The instrument panel and center stack have been simplified for easier comprehension, addressing past complaints about Honda’s button-festooned dashboards.  The Pilot’s three rows of seats aren’t as knee-friendly as those of the much larger Chevrolet Suburban, but it’s capable of carrying eight passengers, even if up to three of them are space-hogging baby seats.  With the seats folded, my test Pilot swallowed an antique trunk and an armoire without complaint–it’ll swallow a minivan-like 87.0 cubic feet of cargo, configured thus.  Seats up, the Pilot makes a good family hauler and can be equipped for max luxury besides.  Excellent sound deadening provides a quiet and comfy freeway ride.  An eight-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) provides  full-color updates on fuel economy and other vehicle functions, as well as acting as an interface for personal music players.  Drivers can even upload personal photos to act as “wallpaper” on the display.   In navigation-equipped models, the navigation screen replaces the MID.   Navigation-equipped Pilots also add a backup camera with multiple views.

In traffic, the Pilot feels a bit bigger than it’s comfortable being, as a Honda.  While the dynamics of Honda’s cars are quite good, the Pilot has a tendency to feel ponderous.  MacPherson struts are used up front, with an independent multi-link rear.  There’s a lot of float in the suspension, and the Pilot waddles somewhat on the freeway.  The brakes are adequate but emergency stops are not as confident as you’ll find in the Ford Explorer or Dodge Durango.  It’s safe enough; Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist stability control and standard anti-lock brakes ensure that the Pilot’s not going to carry you into a tree at the first opportunity, but this vehicle seems all too aware of its two-ton curb weight.  Over the road it’s mellow, a good road-tripper, but emergency maneuvers shred its composure quickly.

Acceleration isn’t the Pilot’s strong suit either. The 3.5 liter 24-valve V6 is smooth and efficient, but with only 250 horsepower to move a vehicle of this size, there’s a noticeable deficit when it comes to acceleration.  Still, it’s adequate, and Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management is also on hand to reduce fuel consumption by shutting down unnecessary cylinders.   The Pilot’s engine has been retuned for additional efficiency with friction-reducing internal components and a variable-output alternator.  Two-wheel drive Pilots will get 25mpg on the freeway, putting this SUV near the top of its class in that respect.  The Pilot is happy to cruise at freeways speeds endlessly, making it a great road-tripper.  Five-speed automatic transmissions are standard, and the available four-wheel drive is a full-time system that can be locked for serious off-roading when needed.  Four-wheel drive Pilots can tow up to 4500 pounds.

It all adds up to a handsome family-hauling package.  That the Pilot is decent in the ‘burbs is not a surprise, but the moderate work ability conferred by the towing capacity and massive interior put it a step above the average crossover when it comes to getting things done.  The Pilot qualifies as a moderately-priced vehicle in its most basic form, with an MSRP of $28,470 for the two-wheel drive LX model.  Of course, things can get out of hand pretty quickly; my tester was a top of the line Pilot Touring 4WD with a navigation system, and stickered for $41,630.

All specs are for the 2012 Honda Pilot
Length:  191.4 in.
Width:  78.5 in.
Height:      72.7 in.
Wheelbase:  109.2 in.
Curb weight:   4608 lb.
Cargo space:   18.0 cu.ft. (seats up); 87.0 cu.ft. (seats folded)
Towing capacity: 4500 lb.
Base price:  $40,820
Price as tested $41,630
Engine:   3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6
Drivetrain:  five-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
Horsepower: 250 @ 5,700
Torque: 253 @ 4,800
Fuel capacity:
Est. mileage:   17/24

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