The all-new Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV that carries an overall tough-guy attitude.

With a bolder fascia, harder angular lines, more cargo space and roomier third-row seating, the full exterior and interior redesign offers more of what SUV buyers want.

"If you drive an '08 and then jump in an '09, there is a noticeable improvement," says Eric Taylor, sales consultant for Front Range Honda, 1001 S. Academy Blvd.

"The vehicle feels more stable, and it is definitely a more comfortable ride. Everything about the '09 is better over last year's model."

Powering the Pilot is a 3.5-liter I-VTEC V-6 engine that generates 250 horsepower and a stump-pulling 253 foot-pounds of torque. That is six more horses and enough power to tow up to 4,500 pounds of family toys. The Class lll trailer hitch and heavy-duty fluid coolers all come as standard equipment on the crossover.

The engine sports the latest in Variable Cylinder Management, which Taylor says means it can run on three, four or six cylinders depending on the load.

"In the past, it was three or six," he says.

Jump on the accelerator, and all six cylinders come to life to bring you up to speed. Once you reach cruising speed, the V-6 shuts down the entire rear bank of cylinders for maximum fuel efficiency. As you start up an incline, the engine moves from three cylinders to four.

You'll never notice the cylinders dropping in and out, Taylor says, unless you see the little green light come on the dash that says ECO, which indicates the economy mode.

I was surprised when I was entering Interstate 25 and looked down and the engine had already gone into economy mode, and I was passing other vehicles.

To help silence the VCM system, the '09 Pilot has new active engine mounts, a torque converter with an additional damping spring and noise canceling through the audio system.

A five-speed automatic transmission is standard fare on all Pilot models. With winter and less-than-perfect road conditions right around the corner, buyers do have the option of two-wheel or all-wheel-drive.

"The four-wheel-drive system on the Pilot operates in four different modes," Taylor says. "It is primarily a front-wheel-drive vehicle, it is reactive when it feels wheel slippage, and it is proactive when it anticipates wheel slippage."

Drivers also have the option of locking it into fourwheel-drive in first and second gear, he says.

The new Pilot is an inch wider and three inches longer than last year's model. This gives the '09 a larger footprint — which means more stability and a better ride.

Taking the Pilot through the corners, I felt the lack of body roll was more than adequate for a crossover of its height.

Even the front and rear disc brakes got bigger, enhancing the Pilot's ability to come to a complete and predictable stop.

Safety for everyone is Honda's motto, and all Pilot models come standard with the best features: antilock brakes, stability control, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.

"The body structure is designed to absorb the impact in an accident no matter what the bumper height of the other vehicle and distribute the impact around the driver and passengers," Taylor says. "Honda also uses heavy-duty rolled steel in the door beams to stop side intrusion during an accident."

The redesigned interior features an easy-toread gauge cluster and a functional center stack.

The driver's seat moves back farther than the predecessor, and the steering wheel telescopes as well as tilts.

"The 2009 Pilot is designed more for creature comforts," Taylor says. "It is one the nicest, most comfortable vehicles I have ever been in."

The second-row seating received more than an inch of additional legroom and almost an inch of shoulder room. The third row got the biggest makeover with almost two inches of legroom and stadium seating allowing even a 6'2" person like myself to fit nicely in the back.

The Pilot comes in four flavors, starting with the base LX with integrated trailer hitch, power side mirrors, keyless entry and a sevenspeaker CD/MP3 audio system. The EX adds fog lights, spiffy wheels, three-zone climate control, a power driver's seat and an in-dash six-CD changer. The EX-L upgrades to leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof and a backup camera. Optional on the EX-L is a DVD rear entertainment system that's packaged with the 10-speaker audio system.

I got to test the best, a Mocha Metallic Touring model with a 10-speaker audio system, navigation system with voice recognition, Bluetooth, a power liftgate and USB connectivity.

The navigation system with voice recognition is the best I have tested. It is more user friendly and has more features than any rival on the market.

As Taylor says: "Anyone who has not been exposed to a Honda Pilot and is in the market for a crossover or SUV should not cross the new Pilot off their list without a test drive."

Technical specifications

Base price: $39,995

As tested: $40,630

Layout: Eight-passenger crossover

Engine: 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6, 24-valve, with port fuel injection

Horsepower: 250 @ 5,700 rpm

Torque: 253 foot-pounds @ 4,800 rpm

Drive system: Four-wheel drive

Transmission: Five-speed automatic with heavy duty fluid cooler

Brake system: Four-wheel antilock with front vented disc and solid disc rear

Steering: Rack-and-pinion with variable power assist

Suspension: MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar, front suspension and multi-link with stabilizer bar, rear suspension

Wheels: 17-inch aluminum alloy

Tires: P245/65/R17 105T

Wheelbase: 109.2 inches

Height: 72.7 inches

Width: 78.5 inches

Length: 190.9 inches

Curb weight: 4,590 pounds

Cargo volume: 87 cubic feet

Gas mileage: 16 mpg city / 22 mpg highway

Towing capacity: 4,500 pounds

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