2009 Honda Pilot
New Honda Pilot a real cargo carrier -- and that's not just chicken feed
Wed, Nov 19th 2008
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, suv - mid, 2wd |
| msrp | $33,595 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 17mpg/23mpg |
| rating |  |
A while back, DogCars.com reader Ruth wrote to us to express her interest in how well the Honda Pilot would handle her crate-carrying needs.
"We want a moderately sized SUV. Right now we have a Volvo station wagon that is good on gas and quite dependable but it is not an off road vehicle and we do field training (rough roads!) with our flatcoated retrievers. We need four wheel drive. We don't want a huge SUV particularly with gas prices being what they are. That's why the Honda is looking so appealing."
But with Honda preparing to launch a redesign of the popular Pilot near the end of 2008, Ruth and other DogCar drivers were concerned that the new version would not be as accommodating for her flatcoats as the old version.
We are happy to report that Ruth can put her fears to rest. The new, 2009 Honda Pilot is just as dog-friendly as the previous version.
The new Pilot has all the canine carrying capabilities that one would want in a DogCar. It has loads of interior room, easy-to-manage fold-flat seats, and pretty reasonable fuel mileage (17/23 mpg) considering how big it is.
Big? You betcha! I carried 250 pounds of organic chicken feed, 100 pounds of cat litter, three cases of canned dog and cat food and the Pilot still had lots of room to spare.
Plus, it's quite comfortable for people and pups.
DogCar lovers can rest easy, the new Honda Pilot is ready and able to take charge of all your pet hauling needs.
-- Gina Spadafori
Carguy Comments: The newly redesigned Honda Pilot has been awarded the top safety rating rating (five stars) from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for both side and frontal crash tests. The Pilot features a 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine that produces 250 horsepower. Cargo capacity behind the front seats is 87 cubic feet while the total interior volume for the 2009 model is more than four cubic feet larger than the previous model.
-- Keith Turner, The Family Car
Barking Lot Banter: The newly redesigned Honda Pilot is poised to please DogCar shoppers because it can carry plenty of canines and cargo in comfort and style.
Comments
I am on my second Pilot (traded in to upgrade to leather with navi system) and love it! Plenty of room for dogs and dog stuff.
2009-08-01 22:06:33
I want a 2009 Honda Pilot too! Kim’s Kennels
2009-07-23 12:05:00
One thing to remember about the Pilot, if both rows of seats are dropped, there is an open square about 3” in diameter on each side. Just big enough for a dog step into and hurt themselves, so if for some reason you aren’t using kennels, beware.
This is only noticeable when the middle row of seats is dropped.
2009-03-29 13:49:31
I have the new 2009 Pilot and love it! I want to buy a barrier to keep my English Cocker and PBGV safely in the back behind the 2nd row. Can anyone recommend one they have bought for this SUV? Thanks – Liz
2009-03-09 10:40:05
I haven’t bought a barrier yet, but here are two sites that will tell you specifically what fits the 2009 Pilot. My dogs love the car; there is room for a dog ramp for my older dog plus the two dogs.
http://www.sportomotoring.com/Results.html?ListID=305652961635813&ModelID=306388712511501&BrandID=22#
http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/category/default.aspx?submenu=2&catid=106
Thanks, Heidi
2010-01-24 20:30:14