Honda's popular Pilot SUV struck a chord with the shopper after size and capability blended with economical operation and sensibility. The current-model Pilot will soon be phased out as dealerships clear room for the improved new 2009 model.

Slightly longer, wider and taller than the outgoing machine, the new-for-2009 Pilot receives a welcome makeover to help it stand out in a market that's jammed full of increasingly fierce competitors. Honda designers have left Pilot with a distinctive and truck-like character from any angle- as opposed to a more generic jacked up wagon appearance.


Though the class in which Pilot competes is a crowded one, shoppers will be glad to see it's a machine that really stands out. Inspired by a rugged laptop computer, the interesting grille and headlight combination suggest a playful and adventurous side- while the rest of the chunky and rugged body communicates the Pilot's strength. The taillights appear ticked off, and designers have mounted the market's now-requisite dual exhaust outlets under the bumper.

The body has been made stronger than the last generation model- with increased torsional and bending rigidity alongside extensive use of high-strength steel. The inflexible unibody platform houses more aerodynamic sheetmetal outside, along with a number of insulation tricks and structural features intended to make the ride even quieter.

Inside, Honda's goal was to create a comfortable and business-class ride for all passengers while focusing on enhanced utility and functionality to set it apart. New materials and styling step it up a notch, and the dashboard no longer looks like it came from a last-generation Accord. The shifter has been moved from the column to the dashboard, and there are even more enormous storage spaces and compartments than the outgoing model.