Honda Pilot test drive since 2009 SUV

And our tanks are quick

Outside is impressive and strict, quiet and huge inside. How suitable is the American Japanese for Russia?
The first time I got behind the wheel of the new Honda Pilot crossover in Karelia, in the summer, a month before the premiere at the Moscow Auto Show. Even then, I liked the confidence with which the Pilot rests even on not the smoother asphalt: even at high speed, the driver does not have to strain at all - the straight car holds perfectly, and the steering wheel reacts adequately and without delay, like a good large sedan. It was the owners of the business class that the Honda marketers were counting on, releasing Pilot on the markets of Russia and Ukraine.
Outside
The exterior of the pilot is impressive: the square crossover is more like a real alternate than many frame competitors. However, in this case, the appearance is deceiving: despite the powerful defense of the crankcase, the car is not intended for the assault of virgin lands, its clearance is relatively small - only 203 mm. But the front of the car is so harsh that in the stream he willingly give way to the road. Huge headlights and shield of the radiator grille are located higher than most competitors - not from all angles beautiful, but it is clear that the armor is strong and our tanks are quick. True, the silver color has already fed, and it is not very suitable for the pilot. Here is a dark blue another thing: in such a suit, the car looks more expensive and more solid.
Inside
The salon has the same stylistics. The front panel is spectacular, but hard plastic is somewhat embarrassed on the materials here clearly saved. But there are a lot of shelves and pockets every little thing you can cut so much on the cabin that you can’t find it later. The width of the salon is such that it is difficult to reach the door of the passenger from the driver's seat. Between the front seats, a tunnel with additional luggage space. The armrest is convenient in traffic jams can fall apart in a chair, as in your personal account. The chair itself is completely electrified, there is a memory of two settings. Even with my two meters of height, I easily settled behind the wheel at hand, as in the best houses in Europe and Philadelphia. But the devices did not like. Everything is fine here with informativeness, but the design in the style of modern gadgets with light dials is busted. It looks frankly cheap, as if Honda designers looked at this element at the sale in Ikea. But behind the stereo system, they went to the Chinese fair, despite the presence of a subwoofer, the sound is flat, the bass rattles even on more affordable Honda models there are much better options. Information is displayed on the display at the top of the central console there the same compass and other additional graphics. But the display itself is segmental, the font is not very clear. For North America, a navigation system with a full -color display is available, but in Russia it will have to be content with this.
The automatic lever is located in the last fashion - in the middle of the central console, a little closer to the steering wheel. It is convenient to use it, but this element looks somewhat foreign. The automatic machine is five -speed, without manual mode, but with the possibility of forced restrictions on 4 (Overdrive OFF), 3, 2 and 1 programs. The steering wheel is large, convenient, sheathed with high -quality skin, adjusted both in height and in departure. On the steering wheel of the audio system, cruise control and on-board computer. The overview of the excellent large side mirrors allow you to quickly evaluate the road situation, and it is not difficult to park the pilot and in crowding thanks to the help of parking sensors and rear -way chambers. Her display, although it does not show the trajectory, as in some German cars, but is located in the rear view mirror logical and clearly.
Honda Pilot car is eight (2+3+3). The second row is convenient and spacious, there are calmly accommodated three people in the reserve of a place for both legs and shoulders. But on the third row it is better not to climb there frankly closely. For middle -class children, I do not advise parents, and it is inconvenient to fly past the folded second row, and there is not enough space for the legs on the gallery. But the cup holders are a dime a dozen. After all, initially Pilot was created for the states, and there, when choosing a car, the number of cup holders matters.
In business
A trip to the Pilot Rest: inside it is quiet, calm, comfortable, even the capital's traffic does not annoy you sit in your chair, only you let go and weaving in the crowd such soundproofing can be envied by much more expensive Premium class. There is a scope for acceleration? Speech on the floor and take -off! Pilot speed is gaining confidently, evenly and softly. It does not press the seat, but there is enough driving. The designers decided that for this SUV is enough for one motor of a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 with a capacity of 257 hp. Well, maybe they are somewhat right, the engine is spinning cheerfully, the power supply is solid. The machine operates unnoticed, but at any time you can accelerate almost without delay. However, reactive traction does not have to wait: after all, 257 horses have to pull 2700 kg of full mass, i.e. less than 100 hp. per ton.
The steering wheel from the stop to stops more than four revolutions, it is good at high speed, but tires in the city. Where a car easily turns a trunk for one movement, the pilot forces to intercept the steering wheel. But you were pleased with the brakes here really do not feel the difference between this large crossover and a modern sedan: at any speed, the slowdown is even, ABS works only in frankly slippery areas, the Pilot trajectory retains perfectly. At such moments, I can’t believe that Makhina is more heavier than 2.5 tons can slow down like that: look and look back in the back.
But from the asphalt on the pilot you have to move out with caution: the clearance of 203 mm and the absence of an interdose differential will not allow the crossover to overcome even a shallow mud track. The forced blocking of the rear differential VTM, and the electronic redistribution of the moment between the axes (under normal Pilot conditions, the front -wheel drive car) does not save. Attempt to call into the forest for the sake of a picturesque frame almost ended in searching for a tractor: on a harmless -looking path of the city tank, it shamelessly clung to the soil with the protection of the crankcase, and in a puddle the wheels began to helplessly kneaded the cracked ground, but absolutely ineffective.
Eventually
Did the Hondians create a crossover capable of attracting the owner of a business class sedan? Or like this: will family wealthy people buy Honda Pilot accustomed to sedans? They will, but without excitement. In comfort, ergonomics, controllability is undoubtedly a great option. But what about fuel consumption? Even with not the most aggressive riding, this Honda on average drank about 18 liters of A95 per 100 km! And if I tried to naughty, it was sharply starting from a traffic light, when overtaking on the highway I turned off Overdrive, the on -board computer showed more than 20 liters per hundred. Too much! With all the advantages of the novelty, it was her appetite that upset the most. In the summer, representatives of the American Honda branch boasted with optimal fuel efficiency for the sake of combating excessive fuel consumption, they introduced the VCM system into the engine: depending on the conditions of movement, the electronics disconnects from one to three cylinders. At the same time, the ECO indicator lights up on the instrument shield - which means that the motor saves. But the system works only in the most harmless modes: on the highway when driving at a constant speed. In the city of VCM, the torn mode of movement does not wake up does not allow the motor to relax. In the United States, this is easier to look at there Gallene gasoline costs a little more than the dollar, and they ask for less than 40,000 green for Pilot. We have from 1,400,000 to 1,500,000 rubles. And Russians know how to count no worse than Americans. When will a modern diesel appear under the tank hood of the pilot?
   
 

 

 

Source: The magazine "Driving"