I've always had a weakness for big cars ... These machines instill confidence in their abilities, leave a feeling of safety and security. Today, car manufacturers offer a variety of large machines: the representation and full-size sedans, minivans and practical, and, of course, off-road vehicles. But the big sedans, as for me, not very practical, though looks very solid, and the design of minivans have never been particularly impressed. But SUVs - a completely different thing! It is this machine, in my opinion, claims to be the typical masculine car. No, there are, of course, off-road, whose design makes it easy to imagine driving a girl, but our guest today is not. Its design is not making a la unisex, and he looks serious and stylish. Today we will focus on eight-Japanese SUV Honda Pilot ...
1. Although personally I do not exterior causes association with the Japanese auto industry - Ruban shape reminded of the big American SUVs like GM. The resemblance is actually quite decent, and all because the engineered Honda Pilot in America. If we consider the Pilot from a distance, it is possible, perhaps even confused with crossovers of Nissan - Pathfinder and X-Trail.
No plagiarism here and does not smell, just the design of said vehicles are also used angles, the combination of simple shapes and lines. A massive front part is a bit similar to the Range Rover , possibly because of the huge rectangular headlight units. But at close range Honda Pilot looks quite individually.2. In general, if we talk about the current car design in general, and on off-road vehicles, in particular, I note the predominance of car exterior lick shapes, rounded and soft curves. I would say more, serious, masculine and even brutal designs in the automotive market of the country is very small. And that is why the owner of Honda Pilot attention will clearly not be deprived.
3. If outside the Honda Pilot just seemed big, the driver's seat dimensions of the car struck. But as you know, fear has big eyes, and the master, I gradually got used to the size of this SUV. The first time I felt like a truck driver. No, comfort and sound are not to blame - just the high seating, again, impressive dimensions and respectfully give way to passenger cars led me to just such a comparison.
4. Well, about the size and conformation I said, the time to climb into the driver's seat. So landing - no problem, despite the very large threshold and height of the car. But motorists are not very tall, probably had a little trouble. The seats are comfortable, with a large arsenal of adjustments (by the way, all the adjustments - electric, very convenient) and the set of possible positions. High lateral support literally hugs the back - claims, probably not. But the location of the lever automatic transmission bit annoying until you get used to it.
5. However, to the ergonomics perhaps, and not to find fault - the instrument layout is thought out, they are quite informative and do not interfere with each other. The same can be said about the controls - in spite of the large size of the car, the driver's seat I never had to stretch to push one of the buttons on the center console ...
6. The purpose of a button or switch apparently due to large icons, the icons on them. I liked the rear view mirror with automatic dimming, which also displays an image of the rear view.
7. We were pleased with humidity control function in the climate system. The passengers of the second-row seats have the ability to regulate the climate in their area on their own - this is an additional power conditioning system that is located between the front seats. He also serves as an armrest for the driver and front passenger and a rather big roomy addition to the staffing "glove box".
8. Rear passengers can create yourself an extra comfort - rear side windows are fitted with special roller blind. On the second row seats are very many - the effect of vehicle size. But on the third row passengers will be significantly closer - there and the ceiling below and the rest is, however low and lean passengers will not have complaints, even if the three of us to get there. In general, I attribute this to the child seat places - and they had a good place to be, and slightly awkward access not burden.
9. The transformation of the passenger compartment at a height - you can only add a third row of seats, getting luggage decent size, but if you add more and a second series - get huge cargo compartment with a flat floor. Perhaps it is for this spare wheel is fixed underneath the car. And I like the ability to carry long loads and a few passengers at a time (the seat backs can be folded in a 60/40).
10. Oh, I almost forgot to mention - the rear seat backrest is adjustable tilt and move the seat forward or backward. Thus, the passengers of the car will feel very comfortable, you can even say, cozy ... The back door of the car is equipped with electric drive - like a small thing - but it's nice. Not without the traditional solutions in the form of a separately opening tailgate window.
11. At Honda Pilot is very good noise isolation - even at high speeds, the noise is almost inaudible. The Japanese decided to deal with the noise, not only by insulation coating and equipped the car an innovative system of active noise cancellation. The principle of this paper is as follows - two microphones record the noise in the vehicle, and the standard audio system reproduces the sound at a frequency chosen so as to muffle the noise. It seemed to me that even when driving on a dirt road roar noticeably quieter than other cars in the showrooms. Self-hypnosis? Hardly ... And the engine Honda Pilot is not the loudest - extra decibels of sound background in general does not add.
12. If we talk about the 249-horsepower engine - its capacity is sufficient for acceleration to a hundred in just 10 seconds. This is according to official specifications. I tried to pinpoint, it was about 11 seconds, although vouch for the accuracy of the measurement can not. In any case, for a two-ton vehicle rate is more than worthy. The volume of the engine is 3.5 liters, although, as I said, depending on the driving situation, it can vary widely. About the operation of the machine is nothing bad to say I can not, at all - timely shifting, responsive reaction to the kick-down, overall, I was pleased.
13. The only pity is that it is not able to test the four-wheel drive in harsh field conditions. In the small dirt Honda Pilot we still climbed, and he dealt with them effortlessly. But I venture to suggest that the full vnedorozhe is sufficiently severe test for this Japanese crossover - not known how to behave in the bearing body, say for diagonal display ... On the whole, bad roads, deep snow and a traditional Russian gauge any meaningful obstacle for the Honda Pilot will not and thanks for that. And for storming the slopes of ravines, windbreaks and driving on winter steppe there is a different class of vehicles.
14. What else do you remember best? Several distressed fuel consumption - its Honda Pilot «eats" in a heartbeat - no joke, 17, 95 liters of gasoline in city driving? Or maybe it's more my fault driving habits? Although there is not even on the official website stated rate 16.3 per 100 kilometers. It's good that Honda engineers provided a good way to limit the appetite. The name of this achievement and technical thought the Japanese technicians - VCM or Variable Cylinder Management. Depending on the load, the system disables the 1, 2 or 3 cylinders. In fact, the engine displacement can be, depending on the mode, 3.5, 3, 2.13 or 1.75 liters. I note that all happens invisibly - the time of such change, I try as he might, could not catch. And yes - fully the benefits of VCM will reveal only during long rides in a calm, Cruise mode. Here they are, the roots of American Honda Pilot - a great feature for long overseas Highway. Alas, it is virtually useless on bad roads or in urban bustle.
15. At the height of the car's handling, docile and predictable behavior of the car - much merit excellent stabilization system. It is hard to expect from such a large auto sharp steering, but nevertheless, he is a very distinct and palpable good feedback. Suspension good extinguishes small road imperfections at higher speeds, more serious flaws, such as the traditional Russian "slate" or deep potholes, slowing demand in order to avoid the buildup and breakdown of shock absorbers. That is, the main habitat for the Pilot - asphalt, and moderate off-road.
16. Technical specifications of this car make it an excellent choice for use as a family car. High fuel consumption is compensated by an acceptable level of comfort, impressive storage capacity and a limited capability to transform the passenger compartment. Honda Pilot is not just a crossover, this car is very versatile - a powerful, passable, roomy and at the same time, high-speed (maximum speed of 180 km / h does not seem unattainable height). The ability to protect the driver and passengers in the most adverse situations - that's another strong argument in favor of this giant. Why should only the strong and massive body. But in a serious arsenal Honda Pilot, among other things, there is an elaborate system of safety - in the event of a collision for the life of the people will fight active head restraints, three-point safety belts with the preload, 10 (!) Airbags and system for determining the position of the passenger. Do not forget about the active system, the main task - to prevent accidents ...
17. It is a pity, but, obviously, the ending will review a few crumpled - because much of what I wanted to talk about what is left in the shadows. In truth, a detailed description of all the advantages of Honda Pilot would take up too much space. But the general feeling of familiarity with the Honda Pilot, I hope I managed to convey accurately. If only briefly, with no arguments, and the details - this is a very decent car, fully justifying their own, quite frankly, not a small price ...
