Consumer Reports rates Honda Pilot "Excellent" in performance tests

12:00AM / Friday, October 25, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Yonkers, NY- Consumer Reports rated the new-for-2003 Honda Pilot EX "Excellent" in performance test of four models of eight-passenger sport-utility vehicles for the November issue. The tests pitted the Pilot against three bigger and heavier full-size SUVs, the Toyota Sequoia, Ford Expedition, and Chevrolet Tahoe. The Pilot outscored Consumer Reports' previously top-rated midsize sport-utility vehicle, the Toyota Highlander Limited V6. The Highlander was CR's Top Pick for midsize SUVs in the Annual Auto Issue published in April 2002. "The Honda Pilot combines the best features of an SUV, wagon, and minivan in a comfortable, smooth riding package," said David Champion, director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Facility in East Haddam, Connecticut. "The Pilot is a fine choice if you're looking for a car-based SUV with three rows of seats, and room for eight." Full tests and ratings of the eight-passenger SUVs appear in he November issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale everywhere magazines are sold beginning October 8th. The complete report is also available to subscribers of ConsumerReports.org. Performance tests were conducted at Consumer Reports' Auto Test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut. The four vehicles carried sticker prices ranging from a low of $33,000 for the Honda Pilot EX to a high of $46,000 for the Toyota Sequoia Limited. The full-size SUVs are equipped with eight-cylinder engines and four-speed automatics; the midsize Honda Pilot has a V6 and five-speed automatic. Three of the four SUVs tested, the Pilot, Sequoia, and Tahoe are recommended because they scored well in the tests and are expected to have average or above-average reliability, based upon past models from these manufacturers. The newly redesigned Expedition could no be recommended because its reliability is still unknown; previous models have been average. Because many buyers choose a full-sized SUV primarily for the eight-passenger capacity, Consumer Reports wanted to see how our three vehicles compared with a modern, car-based midsize model that offered an equal number of seats in a smaller overall package. So, CR bought the new-for-2003 Honda Pilot-which went on sale this summer-and put all four SUVs in one group for performance tests. The Pilot not only earned an overall score well about those of the three full-sized models, but it marginally outranked the five-passenger Highlander to become CR's top scoring recommended SUV. The Pilot's carlike chassis provides a nice balance of ride comfort and handling response. Its 240-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic provide both quick acceleration and the best fuel economy CR has obtained with either a seven- or eight-passenger SUV. With a price as tested of $32,980, the Pilot is also thousands of dollars less than the full-size SUVs tested. There are some tradeoffs: The Pilot's all-wheel-drive system, with no low range, is not designed to tackle serious off-road terrain, although it's fine for adverse weather and moderate off-road conditions. The Pilot also can't match the hefty towing capacity of a full-sized SUV, the Toyota Sequoia scored well among the models tested. The Sequoia is a rational, reliable but uninspired vehicle. The Sequoia Limited ($46,019 as tested) comes equipped with a 240-hp, 4.7-lioter V8 ad four-speed automatic that deliver ample, refined performance and smooth shifts. But the ride is stiff, and handling is clumsy. An able off-roader, it did well climbing CR's steep rock hill. Braking performance was very good overall. The Sequoia has had much better than average reliability. Redesigned for 2003, the Ford Expedition is now built on a new platform that stands lower than the F150 pickup upon which its predecessor was based, and has a fully independent suspension. The Expedition Eddie Bauer ($45,806 as tested) is powered by a 260-hp, 5.4-liter V8 that delivers adequate acceleration but was the slowest and thirstiest of the group. The transmission in the other full-sized SUVs were smoother and more responsive. The Expedition did well on CR's off-road and rock-hill courses, though the chassis sometimes scraped on obstacles. Braking performance was so-so. Reliability of the redesigned Expedition is still unknown. The Chevrolet Tahoe has a responsive powertrain, quiet cabin, and good low-speed ride. But fit and finish are unimpressive, the vehicle is heavy on gas, and its handling is cumberstone. The Tahoe LT ($41,357 as tested) comes equipped with a 285-hp, 5.3-liter V8 and four-speed automatic that pulls strongly and shifts very smoothly. Braking performance was adequate, but stops were long and the pedal was spongy. The Tahoe proved to be a competent off-roader overall, with good traction and ground clearance. Reliability has recently improved to average.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A North Adams Turnkey Home

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:13PM / Friday, April 17, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a three-story home that's newly renovated? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 74 Washington Ave.

This home was originally built in 1880 and has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It is 2,320 square feet on less than an acre.

The first floor includes the kitchen, a full bathroom, an office, a large open living room and dining area, and an entry with a staircase to the second floor, which has three bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and a laundry closet. The third floor was turned into a spacious primary suite with a full bathroom.

The house comes with major kitchen and laundry appliances.

It's on the market for $349,900.

We spoke to Allison Pacelli with Pacelli Zepka Corp., which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

A house at this price point with so much space for several people is not easy to find. There are four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, large living room, kitchen, and a bonus room off the kitchen that could be an office or dining room or possibly even an extra guest room.

What was your first impression when you walked into this home?

I love some of the character of the house. For example, the banister and railing on the stairs is ornate and beautiful.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

The house is light and bright. It's a great mix of some class features like the stairway and updates like the kitchen and bathrooms.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for?

I can see all sorts of people in this house.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

North Adams is such a vibrant and welcoming community. You can walk to MCLA or downtown. Williams College and Mass MoCA are close. The hospital is nearby, and the house would be great for doctors or nurses. There are a lot of opportunities in the area.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

The entire house was renovated about two years ago. The owners removed all knob & tube wiring, installed a new boiler, added a new laundry setup on the second floor, and redid the third floor into a great primary suite, with private bathroom. The kitchen and all three bathrooms are also new.

You can find out more about this home on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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