I had the opportunity to test drive the Honda Pilot, one recently displayed at the Glorietta. The one and only unit in the country had Honda's propietary 3.5l V6 SOHC VTEC(also in the Odyssey and Acura MDX)with a 5 speed AT 244bhp.
As a side bar, I get to compare this CRV "on steriods" with my gen 2 CRV, which has served me well...being creak free for 3 years(to say the least, I got to prop up the hood only once a month!)

Exterior

Bland is easily the word to describe the Pilot, as I'm no consummate car design expert. Though admittedly its painfully functional, as Honda engineers successfully created a smallish looking mid size suv with more than above average cabin space.

Interior

Power driver seats and front passenger seats that offer superlative bum, thigh and lower back support. Second row 60/40 split seats(on rails) are likewise above average. The third row(an important consideration) is habitable and I can safely say(with my 5'8" frame)I can "survive" a trip to Tagaytay or Subic seating there. Legible white "optitron" gauges, dual front and side airbags, 3 rows of curtain airbags, power moonroof. Plastics are of the same texture and feel as the CRV and seem well built. Don't think it'll creak too.

Drive

The get up and go of the 3.5V6 is more than adequate as it easily gets to triple digit speeds in no time and with nary a fuss. The engine never sounds taxed when pushed to the higher rpm range, a hallmark also felt(and heard)with the 2l IVTEC CRV engine. 5 speed AT shifts unobstrusively and willingly. Never got to use the VTM4(Variable Torque Management 4WD) though, as it was relatively dry this morning, no wet roads to lose traction in. Ride was excellent for a vehicle its size, comfortable but predictable, never wallowy. It actually felt you were driving a compact suv. Noise was obviously coming from the moonroof, then we discovered it was left partially open. Climate control aircon adequately cools the 3rd row passengers as the 2nd row vents are used specifically to reach the 3rd row. Somebody messed up with the PIN of the stereo so we were not able to fiddle with it.

HCPI delivers 20 2007 Honda Pilots this November or December for the first batch. Production starts September and details as to what the final specs will be are still hazy.

Overall, the Honda Pilot is competent and it can go against most mid size suv available in the market(Explorer, Trailblazer, Tahoe). If there's anything to pause or rethink about, its definitely its price...2.6m smackaroos! Its well built, multi-awarded, practical and definitely an alternative to......____I'll let you guys fill in that one.