All said, during cross-shopping test-driving exercises, Pilot will likely present among the best driving positions, best outward visibility, and best sense of roominess you’ll encounter.

Add in the abundant storage facilities, including no less than four storage cubbies on each door, dual cupholders at most rear seat positions, and a giant covered drawer between the front seats (with two power outlets inside!), and you’ve got a family crossover cabin that hits hard in terms of functional and handy details, both big and small.

In back, third-row seats fold down for a big, flat, wide and square cargo area, accessed by an available powered tailgate. The rear seats flip up with a tug on a strap in seconds, and are accessible for seating with a simple button press on the side of the second-row seats, which power-slides them out of the way. As an avid full-sized adult, I was able to access the rear seating area with minimal fuss, even if I’d still advise leaving them for the kids.

Styling isn’t up to par with the cabin’s functionality. Given the tester’s $50,000-plus price tag, shoppers might wish for some more colour, contrast or depth to the interior, which largely feels nice and flaunts plenty of leather and soft-touch paneling and stitching, though all in black, for an atmosphere that’s on the dark and gloomy side.

Power comes from Honda’s latest 3.5L VTEC V6, now wearing the Earth Dreams badge and sporting direct injection for 280 hp. It’s a Honda VTEC engine through and through: decent low-end thrust, a ramping up of pull and snarl as the revs climb, and a happiness to be worked hard, once the lazy throttle and transmission programming are overcome. It’s a smooth performer with a delightful eagerness, though overall performance is adequate and little more. Those after more power for their family hauler dollar can check out a Durango Hemi or an Explorer with EcoBoost.

The tester offered a nine-speed (!) automatic, as well as fully-automatic AWD with driver-selectable traction modes for Snow, Sand, Mud and more. The revised AWD system operates with less slip-then-grip feel than before, with reduced front-wheel slippage and torque steer noted as more power is sent to the rear axle on slippery surfaces. The Snow Mode works nicely, locking in extra rear wheel drive at all times, and enhancing off-the-line traction by metering out power so it never outguns available traction levels.

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