Honda Pilot test drive since 2009 SUV

Honda Pilot will pass almost everywhere

SUP TEST Eight -seater crossover Honda Pilot. Recommendations by gypsy barons. I have two questions. First: how many families in Russia are more than five people, not counting the gypsies? Second: what will all these people do on impassability?
9.9 seconds are few?
The first test drive Honda Pilot, published in the August issue, was actually a presentation during which we were rolled in monotonous mode, without sharp maneuvers and off-road. Many characteristic aspects of this car remained unexplored. Meanwhile, readers are already asking clarifying questions in particular, they are interested in the layout of the bottom, the geometry of the levers of the suspension. But for starters, a little road observation.
Honda Pilot designers, adapting it to our market, clearly sought feedback in the steering. In the bend, the steering wheel turns into an elastic rubber expander, striving to return to the zero zone. At the first presentation in Karelia, this was not so noticeable: road conditions did not allow.
 
I remember how I scolded the crossover for slow acceleration, but the organizers then put four people in each car (and many journalists cannot cope with overeating). Now that I am alone, the opinion of dynamics is not so harsh. Up to hundreds in 9.9 seconds, not so much.
So, this is a dynamic and well -controlled crossover with a clear steering wheel and almost invisible rolls in corners. Its only drawback is a terrible vertical buildup on asphalt irregularities and grafting with sharp braking and acceleration. Apparently, it is impossible to fully adapt an American car assembled in Alabama to European realities.
There is not enough protection
Off -road? Necessarily! But for starters, we raise the car to the lift and see if she is ready for walks along the crossed terrain. The body of Honda Pilot is supporting, but immediately catches the eye that the power element practically repeats the shape of the frame in shape. In any case, the construction of the body inspires respect. When hitting an obstacle, such as a stump, a blow will first be accepted by power elements.
 
The layout of the bottom is not perfect. In the middle, closer to the left side, the absorber vapor of gasoline, covered with a plastic shield sticks out. How many times did I have to count in the rut in the rut! It’s good that the plastic is quite thick. The muffler can also hang a pear, but already on the right side. The rear air conditioner tubes, if desired, can be destroyed with one well -aimed blow to the stone, and the parking brake cable clings to the bitches or reinforcement. The gas tank protection is only in the form of a thermal screen.
The motor compartment is cunningly covered with a thick metal plate of obviously non -Water origin, which indicates the weakness of the standard shield. The spare wheel hangs, greatly limiting the corner's angle, and will serve as an obstacle in the snow when driving in reverse. The front towing eye is located so that you can only get to it. In short, I would stay on the asphalt. But why then all -wheel drive and road clearance in 203 mm?
 
 
Matter: Honda Pilot

 
 
The first to give up the machine
We went to the village, hung up by the hanging absorber on the bumps. How better would Honda Pilot go if it weighed less! He stood in the place where Subaru Forester was recently passed. More precisely, I did not get up demanded to accelerate before the maneuver. The inadequate operation of the anti -wings system in the conditions of diagonal swing also affected. However, if you just hang out the wheel, this crossover copes, but when the swing begins. He does not have enough engine thrust on the bottom. The moment of 347 Nm is achieved only if you promote the engine to 4800 revolutions.
Where you can use the force of inertia and there is a reserve along the way, Pilot can even please. About fifteen minutes I bowed on sand lifts of different steepness, but the crossover still did not give up, but only asked for more revolutions. In theory, in this mode, the clutch of the rear axle should be overheated, but hydraulics withstood. The automatic box surrendered to the first, highlighting A/T Temp High overheated.
 
Then we were waiting for a holey country, on which you can check the energy intensity of the suspension. How great it is that Honda drove the car on normal rubber 245/65 R17, because so tired of parquet wheels with a very low profile that they love so much in representative offices. Soon I realized what the trick was. On a low profile, the Pilot suspension would be pierced too often, it simply does not need it here.
Ahead of the water obstacle. A high air intake (and he is here) should not deceive the consumer. It is not for forcing meter forces, as it might seem, but so that dust and dirt from the road do not fall into the air filter. The passage along the middle puddle suddenly ended with interruptions in the engine, perhaps moisture washed the high -voltage wires. Five minutes later, the problems left, but I no longer wanted to repeat.
Advice to you, Romale, yes love
Do I need to give off the Range gypsies advice? Put a good protection of the motor compartment. Correct wheels on a low profile do not change for anything. Avoid narrow places in crossed areas with diagonal hanging. Everywhere where off -road requires good traction, look for a place for acceleration. In ford with great caution. Watch the towing eye in advance in advance. Well, breed and multiply, eight seats after all.
 
 

Author: Dmitry Leontyev, photo of Alexander Ortnova-Baranov

 
 
 
 

Source: Magazine 4x4 [December /2008]