I own a 2012 Pilot with BFG KO2's and let me tell you, combined with the vtm4, it's impressive what this thing is capable of doing. I'll run my Pilot head to head with a grand cherokee any day. I've climbed up much longer, steeper, completely washed out rocky roads then the big one he shown, and the Pilot just crawls up them fairly easily. Naturally there's some slippage along the way when you're that vertical and washed out, but you can really feel the vtm4 work it's real magic. I've taken it in sand and snow with very little to no issues at all. I've have taken it on a dedicated off road trail once and I'm happy with they way it handled itself. The only problem I had was ground clearance. The mud flaps and the front plastic lower valance get in the way a bit, and a 2-3 inch lift would do wonders on 4x4 trails simply because there are step ups and downs that are... well... big lol... duh. With the BFGs I can charge wash board roads and the Pilot is so comfortable doing it. The tires really shine and absorb so much of the initial shock. The same roads charging at high speeds on All Season tires sent more vibration up and through the suspension, rather then the suspension absorbing the road. But when driving slowly/normal it absorbs the road just fine. Overall I love my Pilot. I can pack this thing down and load this thing to the gills with my roof rack and trailer hitch cargo carrier packed as well and the Pilot rides great as if there's nothing there. Plus it can tow 5k lbs, even though I've towed 6k lbs 600 miles a few times. Love IT!!!!!
From now on, I will be putting each and every SUV/Crosover I receive through an off-road challenge ! And soon we'll be getting SNOW, so stay tuned - Dave
.....and considering the tires it's wearing, which appear to be all seasons...not off-road specific. Love the understated style Honda has stayed with. Speaks of character.
The VTM-4 system in my 2007 Honda Pilot is awesome off-road. I bet this Pilot would be awesome off-road too with a 2” lift, all terrain tires, and sway bar disconnects.
Dave- at my Tech school a loooong time ago learning transmission theory, D4 typically is an overdrive ratio. Driving in D4 at slow speed (due to inverse relationship of speed & torque) can THEORETICALLY melt the planetary gears...of course Honda designs their transmissions so that can't happen...but performance can "appear" sluggish. Liken it to how hard it is to start out on your bicycle in 10th gear...the burn in your thighs, is an analogous pressure on the gears. Overdrive D4 is for highway speeds, but D3 is invaluable on the highway for long hills too. D3 is beautiful in the city as that inverse torque/speed relationship can be used to your advantage going downhill through photo-radar speed traps. Take your foot off the throttle in D3, you will typically coast at the speed limit, like a manual transmission. This shifting technique transforms 4 cylinder Hondas with automatics...V6 would be a hoot. Many evaluators would test off-road in D4, then complain about the performance. I'd say you experienced the performance that Honda intended by shifting into D3.
Dave gives a very informative and objective review. Very professionally done. Like the way you present it. It is an ideal off road test place. Thank you VERY much.
It would be nice to see climbing hill on slippery surface or cross angle on a hill so we get one front and one rear off the ground and see how well the 4wd works then.
Does the 4WD work at all speeds or just under 30 mph. I like the new Pilots with AWD but not the look. I really like the boxy look over the older models. Let me know. Thanks
It is fulltime AWD, buuut, it has a VTM lock button that basically sends more torque to the wheels, which allows it to go through even more challenging terrain. I have a 2013 4WD Pilot and it does very well. The only thing I wish is that it was on a proper latter frame chassis.
That's some pretty light off-road terrain. When I think off road I think off-camber ruts and hills. Something you would take a Pathfinder or 4Runner over.
This video just put Pilot on my "next car" list. Can't wait for full review video. Curious how it performs as family car - space, cargo, quality of finish, quality of ride on highways, mpg, etc.
I think you're going to LOVE our Detailed Driver & Review. Melissa (Everywoman Driver) is back and has some fun insights to share. The video is almost ready... it's 14 minutes long and packed with great information. Stay tuned - Dave
Okay, I'm confused. We just got a 2015 Pilot EX-L 4WD and it appears that it's only 4WD when in 1st or 2nd gear with VTM Lock on. Is that true, or is it full time 4WD and the VTM is only used to lock the rear diff for stuck situations?
No not true, the system automatically decides and in most normal driving conditions it is biased to FWD, only if it loses traction, the system sends power to rear wheels. From stop and go a little bit of RWD / AWD comes into play. In snowy and sandy conditions it can send upto 50% power to rear wheels. The VTM lock is to lock the rear wheel for deep snow, mud situations, crawling steep terrains and works upto 18 MPH.
+Dealzguy Thank you. I figured it out after additional research but you've added even more clarity and detail to what I learn. I appreciate the time you took to respond.
Dave - Love your reviews, thanks for the objective road tests & information. I'm surprised you didn't mention Honda's VTM lock, from what I understand it is a locking rear differential, which is a rarity in this crossover class. Took a test drive of a Pilot today, and the owner's manual warns against enabling the lock on dry pavement.
Hi Dave, I'm thinking of getting myself a Honda Pilot Touring 4WD or a Toyota Prado. Putting price aside (since they're not too far apart), and maybe considering another option within the same category, is there a "hands down, I'd go for..." type-of-suggestion you can name? Other contenders in this category i'm guessing would be the Ford's Explorer, Nissan's Pathfinder.
well I've owned both, an old 90's 4runner can make it through a foot of snow without even feeling it, a pilot will get stuck bad, the clearance is better stock on the 4runner.
Its automatic system so yes it was on when it was needed. You only need to use the VTM lock if you get stuck somewhere like in the snow or something otherwise you leave it as is.
SaveTheHumanRace It doesn't come on automatically. I have a 06 pilot and I've used it lot's climbing up steep hills and going through sand. It only works in first and second gears.
Dave, you are the only person I have seen who feels the need to hold on to the shifter on this automatic transmission Pilot and it's not even a natural place to rest your hand with the "different" location on the Honda. My Pilot rocks but if you do these type of course conditions on a regular basis, be prepared to replace the compliance bushings with the slightly older Pilot, liquid filled units.
I'm surprised it did as well as it did, especially on the hill climbs. I still can't think of a Pilot as anything other than a "jacked up" Honda Odyssey, which is a great van in and of itself. Hope they do a decent Pilot redesign soon, it's too square, needs some shape to it.
Personally I like boxy SUVs because it ensures max cargo space. You look at the old explorer, expedition and this pilot they all are basically shipping containers and that's the way I like. If you want "shape" then look at the traverse/acadia/enclave.
Like watching the video since the '14 Pilot is one of the few on my list as a replacement for my 2006 Honda Pilot EX-OR (EX with Off-Road Package). We go into Rausch Creek Off-Road Park in Pennsylvania a lot and go into a lot harsher conditions than this. There were 3 suggestions I do have with for your video and with any new video's I would suggest you add to them. 1. Please make sure to have a 2nd vehicle or at least a 2nd person as a spotter and to render assistance if needed. (also it would be best if you are going at it alone, to have the proper gear incase of an emergency. A trailer hitch mounted wench is a great investment to have to save your rear if you get into trouble / stuck. 2. The tires on the '14 in the video are Street Tires and not really designed for off-road (other than light gravel roads or packed logging roads). Tires are one of the most important items when it comes to off-road driving. 3. Please state that if you do wish to take a vehicle like this off-road that it would be best to know your limits and recommend taking Off-Road driving classes for the beginners. All in all, the video was very well done for the setup you did have on the Pilot.
increase gas tank to 35 gallon, under hood snorkel (similar to the FJ), higher torque, heavier suspension for more wheel travel, bigger crank shaft for rear tires, and pressurized cabin filtration system (as long as windows are closed when 4wd system is engaged).
I own a 2010 4wd pilot exl with normal road tires michelin ltx m/s it does perform well off road averaging 18.5 mpg 70% freeway 30% city and 21.9 mpg highway from central California to southern California 540+ miles on multiple trips and im pretty heavy footed by the way ive driven in flooded muddy fields and sand dunes with these tires pretty happy
magnavox50 Are you sure this isn't Off-Roadgin? I'm pretty sure that wasn't an ounce of pavement on this course. I have re-watched this video and there seems to be lots of dirt, mud and ice. Looks like we drove up and down hills too. What is your definition of off-road? Thank you - Dave
I have to agree with magnavox... A dirt road doesn't mean you;re off roading. I also agree that a FWD car could have done about 95% of what you did in that pilot.
people that buy Honda pilots are probably not looking to take it on double black diamond ohv trails however, so since most people that buy this would most likely be going to the mountain in the snow or camping off of gravel roads in the forest, the review is showing that it will handle that with no problem. If the title said something like "extreme pilot off-roading jeep trails" or something like that, then your input would be more useful.
magnavox50 Hey, tough guy. This isn't his personal vehicle. Its a press fleet vehicle. Would you pay for a new press vehicle that you just tore up on a "real" off-road track? I highly doubt it.
wtf was that?, offroad?? that was just driving on a dirt road with some hills.... My beat up civic could do any of that even the hills with some speed for christ sake.
You got that right, these Honda vehicles are actually reliable. I'm on my 4th and last jeep. My 2011 stock Grand Cherokee has spent more time in the shop than a 1984 corvette. The hood is rusting, driver side rear door is broken, air conditioner sounds like a swarm of bees, the dash rattles every time you hit a bump oh and the seats squeak. I can't believe what a piece of shit my jeep is. Jeeps are junk buckets. My buddy has a 2014 rubicon and the damn seat bolts are rusted and he hasn't even taken the top off! The roof also leaks like Niagra Falls when it rains, they told him to "Get use to it, it's a jeep." I guess the slogan should now say "It's a Junk thing, you wouldn't understand."
I own a 2012 Pilot with BFG KO2's and let me tell you, combined with the vtm4, it's impressive what this thing is capable of doing. I'll run my Pilot head to head with a grand cherokee any day. I've climbed up much longer, steeper, completely washed out rocky roads then the big one he shown, and the Pilot just crawls up them fairly easily. Naturally there's some slippage along the way when you're that vertical and washed out, but you can really feel the vtm4 work it's real magic.
I've taken it in sand and snow with very little to no issues at all. I've have taken it on a dedicated off road trail once and I'm happy with they way it handled itself. The only problem I had was ground clearance. The mud flaps and the front plastic lower valance get in the way a bit, and a 2-3 inch lift would do wonders on 4x4 trails simply because there are step ups and downs that are... well... big lol... duh. With the BFGs I can charge wash board roads and the Pilot is so comfortable doing it. The tires really shine and absorb so much of the initial shock. The same roads charging at high speeds on All Season tires sent more vibration up and through the suspension, rather then the suspension absorbing the road. But when driving slowly/normal it absorbs the road just fine. Overall I love my Pilot. I can pack this thing down and load this thing to the gills with my roof rack and trailer hitch cargo carrier packed as well and the Pilot rides great as if there's nothing there. Plus it can tow 5k lbs, even though I've towed 6k lbs 600 miles a few times. Love IT!!!!!
Own a 2014 Touring and I can testify to this comment. Been through a lot of trails in Cochrane, Waiparous and the VTM lock is magical
You can run your pilot head to head with a keep Cherokee, and you can even put 8 people in the car to do it!
How is it doing now in 2023?
From now on, I will be putting each and every SUV/Crosover I receive through an off-road challenge ! And soon we'll be getting SNOW, so stay tuned - Dave
.....and considering the tires it's wearing, which appear to be all seasons...not off-road specific. Love the understated style Honda has stayed with. Speaks of character.
The VTM-4 system in my 2007 Honda Pilot is awesome off-road. I bet this Pilot would be awesome off-road too with a 2” lift, all terrain tires, and sway bar disconnects.
Dave- at my Tech school a loooong time ago learning transmission theory, D4 typically is an overdrive ratio. Driving in D4 at slow speed (due to inverse relationship of speed & torque) can THEORETICALLY melt the planetary gears...of course Honda designs their transmissions so that can't happen...but performance can "appear" sluggish. Liken it to how hard it is to start out on your bicycle in 10th gear...the burn in your thighs, is an analogous pressure on the gears. Overdrive D4 is for highway speeds, but D3 is invaluable on the highway for long hills too. D3 is beautiful in the city as that inverse torque/speed relationship can be used to your advantage going downhill through photo-radar speed traps. Take your foot off the throttle in D3, you will typically coast at the speed limit, like a manual transmission. This shifting technique transforms 4 cylinder Hondas with automatics...V6 would be a hoot. Many evaluators would test off-road in D4, then complain about the performance. I'd say you experienced the performance that Honda intended by shifting into D3.
Dave gives a very informative and objective review. Very professionally done. Like the way you present it. It is an ideal off road test place. Thank you VERY much.
It would be nice to see climbing hill on slippery surface or cross angle on a hill so we get one front and one rear off the ground and see how well the 4wd works then.
Thanks to this video I purchased my 2015 Honda Pilot 4WD a little over 3 tears ago. It’s been great!!
Just bought one. Do they make any 2in lift kits for it?
Does the 4WD work at all speeds or just under 30 mph. I like the new Pilots with AWD but not the look. I really like the boxy look over the older models. Let me know. Thanks
So the pilot isnt awd right..u need to engage the 4wd?
It is fulltime AWD, buuut, it has a VTM lock button that basically sends more torque to the wheels, which allows it to go through even more challenging terrain. I have a 2013 4WD Pilot and it does very well. The only thing I wish is that it was on a proper latter frame chassis.
Dave- outstanding review. Hope you can get a Toyota Highlander soon for a comparison
That's some pretty light off-road terrain. When I think off road I think off-camber ruts and hills. Something you would take a Pathfinder or 4Runner over.
Can you please do an off road review of the Volvo XC60? Thanks!
I like Everyman Driver's review a lot lot better than the other review channel.
_Keep both hands on the steering wheel while you're driving._
Only if you're driving an airplane should you hold the speed stick with one hand.
This video just put Pilot on my "next car" list. Can't wait for full review video. Curious how it performs as family car - space, cargo, quality of finish, quality of ride on highways, mpg, etc.
I think you're going to LOVE our Detailed Driver & Review. Melissa (Everywoman Driver) is back and has some fun insights to share. The video is almost ready... it's 14 minutes long and packed with great information. Stay tuned - Dave
Was the 4WD lock engaged or were you just in Drive?
Try that in the snow...
Somewhere in the Mid in January .
Okay, I'm confused. We just got a 2015 Pilot EX-L 4WD and it appears that it's only 4WD when in 1st or 2nd gear with VTM Lock on. Is that true, or is it full time 4WD and the VTM is only used to lock the rear diff for stuck situations?
No not true, the system automatically decides and in most normal driving conditions it is biased to FWD, only if it loses traction, the system sends power to rear wheels. From stop and go a little bit of RWD / AWD comes into play. In snowy and sandy conditions it can send upto 50% power to rear wheels. The VTM lock is to lock the rear wheel for deep snow, mud situations, crawling steep terrains and works upto 18 MPH.
+Dealzguy Thank you. I figured it out after additional research but you've added even more clarity and detail to what I learn. I appreciate the time you took to respond.
I see most of your video drove most mid size SUV off-road but I haven't see you drive the Honda Pilot 2016 off-road like you did on Honda Pilot 2014.
My 2009 has 4WD and it was the low-end option. I can't believe why they even make a 2WD option.
The southern states such as Florida. It's always nice there so front wheel drive crossovers sell over the four wheel drive versions
If the frond bumper was some more higher no doubt can go any where
Dave - Love your reviews, thanks for the objective road tests & information. I'm surprised you didn't mention Honda's VTM lock, from what I understand it is a locking rear differential, which is a rarity in this crossover class. Took a test drive of a Pilot today, and the owner's manual warns against enabling the lock on dry pavement.
Hope you get the 2014 Toyota Highlander soon for an off road test
Hi Dave, I'm thinking of getting myself a Honda Pilot Touring 4WD or a Toyota Prado. Putting price aside (since they're not too far apart), and maybe considering another option within the same category, is there a "hands down, I'd go for..." type-of-suggestion you can name? Other contenders in this category i'm guessing would be the Ford's Explorer, Nissan's Pathfinder.
See the later Pathfinder video. Not so good...
I've really got into these reviews, they're awesome! keep up the good work!
FLABEX224 Thank you... we have a GREAT fan base and that's what keeps us going - Dave
Everyman Driver your voice is ideal for these reviews. great job.
I'd like to see your compare the 4 runner with the pilot =)
I am both a Honda and Toyota fan, absolutely love them both... but 4 runner would win in off road.
well I've owned both, an old 90's 4runner can make it through a foot of snow without even feeling it, a pilot will get stuck bad, the clearance is better stock on the 4runner.
Did you have the vtm engaged at all?
Its automatic system so yes it was on when it was needed. You only need to use the VTM lock if you get stuck somewhere like in the snow or something otherwise you leave it as is.
SaveTheHumanRace
It doesn't come on automatically. I have a 06 pilot and I've used it lot's climbing up steep hills and going through sand. It only works in first and second gears.
So how does the Pilot rate as an icecrusher? ;)
Wow nice ride. Should bring a next gen honda element back
Dude hold my beer
- me on my Scion xB lol
I think it would do a lot better with offroad tires instead of road tires
Dave, you are the only person I have seen who feels the need to hold on to the shifter on this automatic transmission Pilot and it's not even a natural place to rest your hand with the "different" location on the Honda.
My Pilot rocks but if you do these type of course conditions on a regular basis, be prepared to replace the compliance bushings with the slightly older Pilot, liquid filled units.
Why the hell do u care where his hand is?
@@brianbuchert6382 lmfao
not bad on those soccer mom tires
Wish this car was available in the uk! Unfortunately not! :(
I hate the placement of the gear selector. That’s the only deal breaker with this SUV.
I'm surprised it did as well as it did, especially on the hill climbs. I still can't think of a Pilot as anything other than a "jacked up" Honda Odyssey, which is a great van in and of itself. Hope they do a decent Pilot redesign soon, it's too square, needs some shape to it.
Personally I like boxy SUVs because it ensures max cargo space. You look at the old explorer, expedition and this pilot they all are basically shipping containers and that's the way I like. If you want "shape" then look at the traverse/acadia/enclave.
Like watching the video since the '14 Pilot is one of the few on my list as a replacement for my 2006 Honda Pilot EX-OR (EX with Off-Road Package). We go into Rausch Creek Off-Road Park in Pennsylvania a lot and go into a lot harsher conditions than this.
There were 3 suggestions I do have with for your video and with any new video's I would suggest you add to them.
1. Please make sure to have a 2nd vehicle or at least a 2nd person as a spotter and to render assistance if needed. (also it would be best if you are going at it alone, to have the proper gear incase of an emergency. A trailer hitch mounted wench is a great investment to have to save your rear if you get into trouble / stuck.
2. The tires on the '14 in the video are Street Tires and not really designed for off-road (other than light gravel roads or packed logging roads). Tires are one of the most important items when it comes to off-road driving.
3. Please state that if you do wish to take a vehicle like this off-road that it would be best to know your limits and recommend taking Off-Road driving classes for the beginners.
All in all, the video was very well done for the setup you did have on the Pilot.
wait....off-road package? I have never heard of this.....
it was only on the redesign on the '06 for a short time. I guess they figured most wouldn't pop the 4k extra for it.
Ok, I couldn't find ANYTHING online about it, anything good on that pack?
increase gas tank to 35 gallon, under hood snorkel (similar to the FJ), higher torque, heavier suspension for more wheel travel, bigger crank shaft for rear tires, and pressurized cabin filtration system (as long as windows are closed when 4wd system is engaged).
dude my Prius could go thru this course.
with these type of vehicles, im more concerned as to how they do in snow.
I own a 2010 4wd pilot exl with normal road tires michelin ltx m/s it does perform well off road averaging 18.5 mpg 70% freeway 30% city and 21.9 mpg highway from central California to southern California 540+ miles on multiple trips and im pretty heavy footed by the way ive driven in flooded muddy fields and sand dunes with these tires pretty happy
Lol, what did Honda say after you did that with their car?
Love my 2012 Honda Pilot!!!!!!
Have you driven a new model?
@@everymandriver sorry Dave for late reply but I haven't , maybe someday 😉
"touring" isn't a package, its a trim level.
fantomtuba yes, I know, I misspoke. There are 4 trim levels: LX, EX-EX-L, and Touring and each is available in 2WD and 4WD - Dave
Would much rather have an old passport than this thing
This isn't offroading I have a 2005 Chevy impala that could drive over all of that and then some. Smh.
magnavox50 Are you sure this isn't Off-Roadgin? I'm pretty sure that wasn't an ounce of pavement on this course. I have re-watched this video and there seems to be lots of dirt, mud and ice. Looks like we drove up and down hills too. What is your definition of off-road? Thank you - Dave
I have to agree with magnavox... A dirt road doesn't mean you;re off roading. I also agree that a FWD car could have done about 95% of what you did in that pilot.
people that buy Honda pilots are probably not looking to take it on double black diamond ohv trails however, so since most people that buy this would most likely be going to the mountain in the snow or camping off of gravel roads in the forest, the review is showing that it will handle that with no problem. If the title said something like "extreme pilot off-roading jeep trails" or something like that, then your input would be more useful.
Ha ha, please bring 2005 impala on next video?
magnavox50
Hey, tough guy. This isn't his personal vehicle. Its a press fleet vehicle. Would you pay for a new press vehicle that you just tore up on a "real" off-road track? I highly doubt it.
wtf was that?, offroad?? that was just driving on a dirt road with some hills.... My beat up civic could do any of that even the hills with some speed for christ sake.
All dat ABS clicking.
Lol It's a baby hummer!
any 2wd car can go to those places you went
The 2014 pilot hasn't changed much since 1914 when it was first made n designed.
Jehovah Hitler your name is sick and unimpressive not even clever or funny
A 10 year old Camry has more suspension travel lmao
Please demonstrate?
awesome !!!
...ain't got shit on stock Jeep...
You got that right, these Honda vehicles are actually reliable. I'm on my 4th and last jeep. My 2011 stock Grand Cherokee has spent more time in the shop than a 1984 corvette. The hood is rusting, driver side rear door is broken, air conditioner sounds like a swarm of bees, the dash rattles every time you hit a bump oh and the seats squeak. I can't believe what a piece of shit my jeep is. Jeeps are junk buckets. My buddy has a 2014 rubicon and the damn seat bolts are rusted and he hasn't even taken the top off! The roof also leaks like Niagra Falls when it rains, they told him to "Get use to it, it's a jeep." I guess the slogan should now say "It's a Junk thing, you wouldn't understand."
Spokane has a ORV? Dam
Súper awesome video but the annoying loud music is horrible