The Honda Pilot is a joy in daily use. We found it easy to maneuver and park in crowded parking lots. Its road manners seem just a little better than necessary to compete in this class. Pilot was developed primarily for highways and city streets, though its ground clearance, suspension travel, and standard tires are fine for light off-highway duty.

The 3.5-liter V6 engine is more than adequate to propel the Pilot. Acceleration is excellent, particularly in the 30-60 mph range that matters most in daily use. With 244 horsepower to propel its 4,400 pounds, the Honda Pilot outguns the V6-powered . More important, the Honda V6 produces 240 pound-feet of torque from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. The 3.5-liter engine features a broad and flat torque curve, very low emissions, and good fuel economy. All Pilots benefit from a drive-by-wire throttle replacing a conventional throttle cable with an all-electronic system that relays throttle pedal position to the engine computer.

The Pilot's five-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and precisely, even under hard acceleration. Honda's Grade Logic Control system monitors throttle position, speed and acceleration to avoid hunting between gears. The transmission's computer controller holds lower gears longer than normal for better performance going up hills, or to provide engine braking on downhill grades.

The front-wheel-drive model is new for 2006. Compared with all-wheel-drive versions, two-wheel-drive Pilots weigh about 175 pounds less, have a slightly wider track and a tad less ground clearance (7.8 inches for the 2WD vs. 8.0 inches for the 4WD), and thus should deliver slightly superior on-road driving characteristics. The Honda Pilot 2WD also features a cylinder deactivation program that shuts down three of the engine's six cylinders when not needed. Combined with the lower weight, the Pilot 2WD produces impressive fuel economy: 18/24 city/highway for the 2WD compared with 17/22 for the 4WD.

Four-wheel-drive models feature Honda's full-time VTM-4 (Variable Torque Management 4WD) with an electronically locking rear differential. Most of the power is delivered to the front wheels, but Honda's system is a bit more proactive than most all-wheel-drive systems in the way it sends some of the power to the rear wheels any time the driver accelerates. A push-button differential lock improves traction in extremely slippery or stuck conditions by making sure both rear tires get power. So equipped, Honda rates the Pilot for what it calls medium off-road duty, including 30-degree dirt grades. The Pilot does not offer true off-road capability, but it's perfectly capable on gravel, rough dirt roads and two-tracks.

The rack-and-pinion steering provides good feedback. It's speed-variable and smoothly adjusts the amount of power-assist for more feel at high speeds and easier maneuvering at parking lot speeds. The steering wheel returns to center comfortably and intuitively for maneuvers in parking lots and tight driveways.

Ride and handling is more similar to that of mid-size cars than it is to truck-based SUVs. The Honda Pilot is stable at highway speeds, nimble in parking lots and sufficiently well-damped to run over winter-buckled and pothole-laden urban streets without discomfiting its passengers. The steering wheel transmits road conditions enough to keep the driver informed without jerking the wheel at every pavement disruption. Passengers in the second-row seats found the ride equally comfortable, but third-row passengers suffered somewhat from being right over the rear wheels.

Unlike some SUVs, the Pilot has enough sound insulation to prevent bumps in the road from being transmitted to the interior as noise. Given their cavernous interiors, it's not uncommon for SUVs to become booming echo chambers on rough roads. Even on Michigan's notoriously ragged freeways, the Pilot's interior remained quiet enough to carry on a normal conversation.

The Honda Pilot felt stable and secure during simulated emergency maneuvers. The suspension behaves exceptionally well under hard braking and hard acceleration. The nose does not dive too much during sudden deceleration, and the Pilot won't squat back on its haunches in a fast start. This is a plus because, if the need to turn suddenly presents itself during hard braking or acceleration, the even keel maximizes response and reduces the chance of a skid.

The anti-lock brakes performed equally well in simulated panic stops. The brake response is linear and smooth, providing a reassuring feeling of control. There's minimal pedal feedback when the ABS operates, removing one possible distraction that a driver doesn't need in an emergency. Electronic brake-force distribution improves stability and helps reduce braking distances by balancing the brake force between the front and rear wheels.