Honda entered the mid-size SUV market late, but the 2003 Pilot EX quickly established itself as a strong contender. Released in 2002 after years of relying on rebadged Isuzu models, the Pilot represented Honda’s first fully independent attempt at a competitive family SUV. This review, originally published in Car and Driver, highlights how the Pilot blended minivan practicality with SUV versatility, making it a serious threat to established rivals like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander.
A Necessary Evolution
For years, Honda outsourced its SUV efforts, notably through the Passport (a rebadged Isuzu Rodeo). The Pilot marked a shift – a commitment to building a true Honda SUV from the ground up. While not entirely a clean-slate design, it shared mechanical components with the Acura MDX and the Odyssey minivan, ensuring a solid foundation. This decision, though pragmatic, was a strategic move to quickly enter a crowded market without sacrificing quality.
Performance and Handling
The Pilot’s 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 240 horsepower, provided respectable acceleration. Car and Driver recorded a 0-to-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds, competitive with rivals but slightly behind the more powerful TrailBlazer. The vehicle’s suspension, tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, offered a smooth ride, though with a bit more body roll compared to the MDX. Skidpad tests showed a grip of 0.73 g, solid but not exceptional.
The Pilot’s VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system offered capable performance in moderate off-road conditions, though it wasn’t designed for extreme terrain. The system automatically adjusted torque distribution, enhancing stability on slippery surfaces.
Interior and Practicality
The Pilot excelled in interior space and versatility. Its wider body allowed for four-by-eight-foot sheets of building material to lay flat in the cargo area – a unique advantage over competitors. With seating for up to eight, the third row was admittedly best suited for children, but Honda included six child-seat anchors and separate rear-seat climate controls. The interior was also packed with storage compartments, including a dedicated “kids’ activity center” in the EX trim.
Key Strengths and Weaknesses
Highs:
- Respectable power and smooth ride
- Roomy interior with versatile seating
- Quiet operation
- Excellent cargo space
Lows:
- Anonymous styling
- Unintuitive column shifter
- Limited driving engagement
Verdict
The 2003 Honda Pilot EX was a late arrival to the mid-size SUV segment, but its blend of practicality, comfort, and Honda reliability made it a formidable competitor. Though not particularly exciting to drive, it delivered everything most families needed in an SUV, and often did so better than rivals. Its spacious interior, smooth ride, and well-engineered features made it a compelling choice in a crowded market.
“Honda passed up a ton of profits by taking eight years to produce this SUV. But it was time well spent—this is a remarkable truck, damn near flawless.” —Steve Spence, Car and Driver
