What do you guys think? It is a cross-over, FWD-bias with AWD + off-road condition modes, 8.4” clearance, no skid plates...but damn roomy inside and feature rich of course.
Obviously it is not made for rock crawling or any heavy duty off-roading, but the suspension seems to be durable...here is Ridgeline vs. Tacoma in Death Valley: https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/d...ison-test.html
Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD System
The Pilot's available new Intelligent VTM4 (i-VTM4) is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced all-wheel-drive system offered in a mainstream, three-row SUV. This entirely more capable system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels using the new, lightweight rear drive unit. Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-drive, rear-drive or conventional all-wheel-drive systems.
Intelligent Traction Management
This new Pilot features a new button-operated Intelligent Traction Management System that offers different operating modes, for the AWD: Normal, Mud, Sand and Snow; and for the FWD: Normal and Snow. Reflecting Pilot's role as a key U.S. export model, this system was developed, tuned and tested at various locations in the U.S. and around the world – including Imperial Dunes “Glamis”, California; Moscow, Russia; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Intelligent Traction Management system allows the driver to select the operating mode that best suits the driving conditions by simply pushing a button on the vehicle's center console. Based on the setting selected, the system adjusts the drive-by wire map, transmission shift map, Vehicle Stability Assist™ and i-VTM4 torque distribution for AWD equipped models for optimal performance in varying road or surface conditions.
This thing was in the early stages as I was leaving Honda in 2016, when they were having employee polls at the R&D center to pick a name for it. What was mostly sorted out by then was the suspension is basically 100% ridgeline parts (similar to pilot parts, but beefier and meant for a taller ride height).
It was meant to be a short development parts bin car from the start. Ridgeline underneath and pilot inside and out, only shorter.
Not to knock the quality, that's a good bin of parts to raid. It is a vehicle Honda has sorely needed for a long time. Glad to see they got it done, looks promising.
__________________ '13 Tacoma TRD-OR: The Spruce Goose. BUILD '02 Sport Ed.- V2.0: The better build. TotaledBUILD 2.0 '02 Sport Ed.- V1.0: The college build SoldBUILD
“To put the power down, all-wheel-drive models use our i-VTM4 torque vectoring system which actively sends torque to the wheel or wheels that can put it to use without waiting for wheel slip, like some competitor's systems.
To that, we add our Intelligent Traction Management system, which allows the driver to select different engine, transmission, and all-wheel-drive performance settings for varying terrain and road conditions, including Snow, Sand and Mud modes. This system was tuned and tested in some of the world's most challenging on- and off-road environments—Dubai, Russia, Minnesota, and the dunes of Glamis, California.
Some of you with us here today recently experienced the off-road capability of i-VTM4 and the latest version of our 9-speed automatic transmission at the 2019 Pilot press launch, and we heard how impressed you were by the kind of terrain Pilot was able to tackle.
Passport is even better. With roughly 1-inch more ride height and shorter overall length, Passport offers even better approach, departure, and breakover angles than Pilot, which translates to even greater off-road capability.
Now, you probably won't see too many of our customers tackling the Rubicon trail, but on wooded trails, sand, snow, and dirt—where most customers use their SUVs—Passport is every bit as capable and, frankly, a lot more fun and comfortable than traditional hardcore competitors like Grand Cherokee and 4Runner.”
Exactly. For me, i had Subaru Outback in 2012...nice SUV, but quality was lacking...from general feel to weird noises from engine to just general ride quality. There was something lacking...kinda like Subaru invested all money into its AWD and had little left for the other stuff.
Not really a fan of the Honda styling... I find it a bit “soft.” It’s the perfect size for me though... a bit wider than the 4Runner and a slightly longer wheelbase which would hopefully give more 2nd row legroom. Overall vehicle length seems to be nearly identical and not even an inch longer than the 4Runner.
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2012 Shoreline Blue LE 4WD w/ 3rd Row.
It retains the Zf 9spd transmission. Run away. Honda, Acura, FCA and Land Rover have all had problems with it. Honda claims to have made improvements to the ZF 9spd. No matter how much one polishes a turd, it's still a turd.
Linear Mode
