2006 Honda Pilot Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Though it has a more muscular look for 2006, the Pilot still sports generally tame and welcoming styling. The new front fascia is more chiseled and sharper than those of years past and has a more grown-up look than did the previous Pilot, which drew heavily from the CR-V’s stylebook. Also differentiating the Pilot from other models like the CR-V and Odyssey, Honda gave the SUV flared wheel arches and large badges all around, which further serve to build the model's image as a brawnier family vehicle.

Inside, the Pilot can seat up to eight people in its plain-but-roomy cabin. The interior is laid out intuitively, especially up front, where the controls and displays are set up to be extremely visible and easy to use. Honda has opted for a large central dial to control most functions in the centre stack, and, for the most part, it works well. The rest of the Pilot’s interior is set up to be kid- and family-friendly to the max. Second-row storage is superb, with cubbies and pockets in all the right places, while a rear entertainment system provides enough distraction to get everyone to their destinations with patience to spare.

Standard equipment on the Honda Pilot LX includes 16-inch alloy wheels and power locks with keyless entry. The EX adds steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The Honda Pilot EX-L trim level adds Honda's excellent leather seats and a sunroof to the mix for an upscale feel.

Minivans, despised creatures that they are, can actually be among the easiest and most comfortable vehicles to drive. People who love them cite this as a major selling point, and it’s one reason that some shy away from SUVs. The Honda Pilot is one of the few non-minivan family vehicles that manages to be as comfortable as a van without actually looking or functioning like one. It’s a pleasure to use as a daily driver, with on-road performance that is refined, smooth, and effortless.

Honda’s 3.5-litre engine provides strong, smooth acceleration, and it makes a healthy sound while doing it. Its power specs of 244 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque pair well with the five-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox shifts smoothly and doesn’t hunt for gears. A Grade Logic Control system monitors throttle position and speed to make transmission shifting decisions. The result is a five-speed transmission that feels refined and decisive.

Despite its healthy ground clearance, the Pilot’s crossover basis means it remains planted and confident on curvy roads and broken pavement. This is an improvement over last year's model, but only slightly. On a long test drive, the Pilot feels much closer to the Honda Odyssey than it does to the Ridgeline pickup, which means a comfy ride in nearly all situations.

The Honda Pilot is advertised as a go-anywhere, do-anything family hauler, and for the most part, it succeeds. Cargo capacity is at the top of its class. With the second and third rows folded down, the Pilot can carry up to 2,557 litres of gear. That’s better than the Toyota Highlander, the Ford Explorer, and the Nissan Murano.

The Honda’s seating configuration is flexible and capable of carrying people, gear, or a mix of both, with ease. The front seats are wide, well-padded, and deep enough to be supportive on long trips. Second-row seats can slide, which gives passengers the ability to create more legroom in either the second or third row. Entry to third-row seats is aided by the ability to quickly move the second row with the flip of a lever.

Crash test results were positive for the 2006 Honda Pilot. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it "good" in all three crashworthiness tests. In tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Pilot received five stars in front and side crash tests and four stars for rollover resistance.

Standard safety features include an electronic brake-force distribution system, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), rear-door child safety locks, an engine immobilizer, side airbags for all three rows, dual front side curtain airbags, electronic stability control, emergency braking assistance, a passenger sensing airbag deactivation system, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and ventilated disc brakes.

Honda’s simplified trim structure makes it easy to find a model that has the exact features desired, but it also means that many features and options are only able to be equipped with the top trim. Even so, the Pilot’s pricing model is reasonable. The base LX model starts at $39,400 before destination, taxes, and options. The range-topping EX-L trim with navigation lands at $47,300, which is in line with the competition.

The single powertrain option makes understanding fuel economy much easier as well. The Pilot returns fuel consumption of 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving and 9.7 on the highway. That’s competitive in the class, but a smaller engine or a hybrid option would save fuel and bump the Pilot’s value proposition.

Note: Images show a US model.