2005 Honda Pilot 2005 Honda Pilot
MSRP: $27,550 to $34,320
$1,000 dealer incentive
NHTSA: Frontal impact - five stars driver and passenger; Side impact - five stars; Rollover - four stars 4wd
IIHS: Frontal impact – good, best pick

The Honda Pilot has become one of the more popular import SUVs on the road, eating away at SUV market share enjoyed by GM and Ford. Despite it’s somewhat homely looks, there’s little surprise as to why: Given Honda’s track record of dependable, fuel-efficient vehicles, the Pilot is a smart choice even unadorned with a rebate. Right now, however, there’s a $1,000 dealer incentive hanging on the rear view mirror, which makes it all the more attractive. The Pilot provides ample room on the inside with better-than-average fuel economy numbers, and adds the capability of traversing the occasional dirt road, thanks to Honda’s (Variable Torque Management) VTM-4 technology.

An eight-passenger SUV, the 2005 Honda Pilot comes with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 255-horsepower and is rated at 17-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway.