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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John Barrett III Announces Run to Retain House Seat

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
04:26PM / Tuesday, March 03, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Incumbent John Barrett III has announced his bid for re-election to the 1st Berkshire District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Citing a lifetime of "serving, fighting for and believing in" the district, the former longtime North Adams mayor decided to make a bid to remain in the seat he has held since winning a special election in 2017.

"Over the last few weeks, I gave it a lot of thought, and I've talked to a lot of people," Barrett said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. "They've told me, if there's ever a time when we need experience and leadership, it's going to be the next co uple of years.

"I decided to go based on them more than anything else."

Barrett is challenged in the Democratic primary by Andrew Fitch, a current North Adams city councilor, who announced his bid on Feb. 3.

The state primary is scheduled for Sept. 1.

The Northern Berkshire legislative district includes the City of North Adams and the towns of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Peru, Savoy, Williamstown and Windsor.

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