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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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.

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