2004 HONDA PILOT NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Honda Pilot?
Fully loaded 2004 Honda Pilot EX-L models get more standard equipment, including heated seats and heated side mirrors. Models equipped with a navigation system receive updates that include a new route guidance method for unmapped roads (such as those that sprout from new subdivisions). All 2004 Honda Pilots get a second-row seat that adjusts fore and aft, and a new slide feature improves third-row seat access.

Advantages of the 2004 Honda Pilot:

• Five-star crash test scores for front and side protection
• Exceptional build quality
• Outstanding outward visibility
• Thoughtful interior storage solutions
• Control layout and operation

Objections to the 2004 Honda Pilot:

• Engine is not powerful or fuel efficient
• Front seat comfort is average at best
• Third-row seat is for kids only

Editor's Advice:
Most large SUVs make up for their utter lack of fuel efficiency by offering a healthy amount of power and torque. The 2004 Honda Pilot does neither. Our Honda Pilot EX-L test vehicle averaged 16.6 mpg and we felt that the 3.5-liter, 240-horsepower V6 provided only adequate acceleration. Furthermore, the Honda Pilot’s 3,500-pound towing capacity isn’t terribly impressive, during downhill driving in the mountains the brakes on our test SUV got hot and shuddered upon application, and while four-wheeling up a steep grade on a 95-degree day the transmission fluid became overheated, ending our excursion into the wilds of the Santa Monica Mountains. For heavier duty use, we’d recommend a Chevrolet Tahoe, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia. However, for the daily-driver chores most large sport-utes face in the suburbs of America, the right-sized Honda Pilot is a handy tool to have in the garage. It is extremely easy to drive, to see out of, and to use the controls. Thoughtful storage solutions litter the cabin, and five adults can ride inside, though the front seats (like most Hondas, it seems) are not particularly comfortable. Folding the seats to maximize cargo capacity is a snap, and the third-row bench can accommodate the neighbor’s kids for an afternoon trek to the local Gymboree. Add to this functionality excellent crash test scores and Honda’s deserved reputation for durability, and it’s easy to see why so many Americans like the 2004 Honda Pilot.