It’s impossible to talk about any SUV in today’s geopolitical landscape without mentioning the importance of fuel economy. Honda buyers have generally sought reliability rather than style and performance in their vehicles now expect better fuel efficiency as well. Honda has responded to this challenge with bold new designs and better engines. The 2007 Pilot, for example, has a smooth ride, seating for eight, curtain airbags for all three rows, and the ability to shut off all 3 cylinders to save fuel. (EPA is 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway). Built on the Accord chassis, the Pilot has a smooth ride compared to the truck-based Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Dodge Durango. In addition, the highly functional interior cabin of the Pilot brings it to the kinship of the more expensive SUVs such as the Lexus RX 330, the Mercedes ML 350 or the Acura MDX. However, the Pilot’s price range of $ 26,995 to $ 35,245 may convince you that there are plenty of SUVs here for the money.

One of the unique attributes of the 2007 Pilot is its versatile cargo capacity. For example, the second and third row seats can be folded easily (and quickly) to create a cargo area of ​​90.3 cubic feet which is more than the GMC Envoy or Chevy TrailBlazer (80.1 cubic feet), Ford Explorer (81.3 cubic feet). ), or Toyota Highlander (80.6 cubic feet), or Nissan Murano (81.6 cubic feet). Both rows of rear seats are split 60/40 so you can carry things while maintaining seating capacity on both sides. With the third seat folded down, there is 47.6 cubic feet of space. With the third seat up, there’s still a respectable 15.9 cubic feet of cargo. In addition, there is ample 6-foot-tall seating in all three rows of passenger seats. The versatility of the 2007 Honda Pilot seats demonstrates Honda’s sound engineering capabilities.

The versatility of the 2007 Honda Pilot is not limited to the cabin. It also has an extraordinary motor that is designed to move more efficiently. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Both models offer 244 horsepower at 240 pound-feet of torque. (Towing capacity is modest with a maximum of 4,400 pounds available in the all-wheel-drive version.) Both engines benefit from Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) which increases fuel economy by selectively shutting off 3 of the 6 cylinders as needed. When power is needed, the engine adjusts to full capacity. If you’ve ever owned a Ford Explorer, Chevrolet TrialBlazer, Nissan Pathfinder, or Toyota Highlander (non-hybrid), you’ll feel the difference in improved fuel economy. According to Honda, plans for a hybrid racer are on the table, they should hit the market in 2009.

The 2007 Honda Pilot is available in three trims: LX, EX, and EX-L; the latter being the most luxurious. Almost all models offer standard equipment such as air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, keyless entry, rear window defroster, and CD player. The EX differentiates itself with alloy wheels, automatic headlights, better front seats, and automatic climate control. The EX-L adds leather, a sunroof, XM satellite radio and a satellite navigation system with DVD as options. Regardless of which pilot you choose, each model has earned a five-star (highest) safety rating for frontal and side impact collisions. Power-assisted four-wheel antilock brakes and front and side airbags are also standard equipment.

The 2007 Honda Pilot is a fusion of the family car, long-distance cruiser, and vacation vehicle in a midsize SUV. Introduced in 2003, the Pilot was designed to be more versatile than any other SUV. At the time, it was also the only sport utility vehicle that did not have a truck chassis. For 2007, the Pilot continues the tradition and was completely redesigned in 2006. It now features sharp body creases, a redesigned front grille, hood, fenders, wheels, bumpers, headlights and taillights. Plus, the engine can shift from 6 to 3 cylinders for better mileage, and the Pilot’s cargo capacity has increased to 90.3 cubic feet of space – not bad if you need to haul hockey gear, cabinets, or 8 people. The 2007 Pilot shows Honda’s unwavering love for versatile SUV design and engineering.