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"I can't believe it"

This is what I said inadvertently while test-driving a 'family SUV' pilot representing Honda in Japan.

Ei was mistakenly known as a millstone handle. It is often used to mean 'handle' regardless of spelling.

The pilot does not have a "gearstick" in the form of a handle corresponding to the car's ear. It adopts a shift button. This is the first reason why I said, "I don't know what to say" during the test drive.

The second absurd reason is that it is a best-selling car that sells more than 100,000 units a year in North America, a global automobile battleground, but is an exception in Japan.

This is because it is produced in the United States, which prefers large cars, and is not sold in Japan, which likes small cars.

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The test drive is the fourth-generation All-New pilot that has been completely changed in eight years. Compared to the 3rd generation model, the battlefield, the height, and the wheelbase were all improved.

It is the longest and highest of its equivalent models. The total length x total width x total height is 5090 x 1995 x 1805 mm. The wheel base for determining indoor space is 2890mm.

The 4th generation pilot applied the characteristics of both models as Japanese cars produced in the United States.

As a result, the outside and the inside have changed. This is because it reinforces a firm and strong American style on the outside and a comfortable and cozy family car tendency on the inside.

Pyo-ri-bu-dong (表裏) is a curse to a person. It's ridiculous, but it's different in the car. It's a compliment.

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The appearance emphasized a simple yet strong image with black front grille and chrome decoration, matte pilot badge on the back and black roof rail.

The interior has evolved to be more considerate of drivers and passengers. The driver's seat has a new 10.2-inch digital instrument panel and a full-color head-up display. The 9-inch display supports wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

Some buttons on the display and the center fascia air conditioner are placed as physical buttons. It can be seen as an "old sensibility" that is different from the trend these days of digitizing all possible functions.

Honda's ridiculous stubbornness is also shown here. Honda emphasizes inner room rather than coolness.

Rather than digitizing all functions for Foam Saint Foam, it sticks to the button operation method for functions that must be used quickly, easily and intuitively even if they feel old.

As Honda, which is famous for its brand that spends more money in places that are not visible, it has been working hard on the inside and pursuing substance rather than on the outside.

改, the core of Japanese manufacturing tradition and craftsmanship represented by "Monozukuri," was also applied to pilots produced in the United States.

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The first row seat applies a new global frame (G-Frame) to stably control the driver's posture. The space can be configured according to the family composition and purpose of use with foldable 2nd and 3rd row seats and detachable 2nd row center seats.

In the case of a second row center seat, it can be fixedly stored on the underfloor in the loading space after removal. The third row space did not mean only existence. Unlike some competing cars that only children can ride, they are designed to allow adult men to ride.

The basic trunk capacity is 527 liters, the most abundant among the same class. When the third row sheet is folded, it extends to 1,373 liters, and when the second row sheet is folded, it extends to 2,464 liters. Existing models were 467ℓ, 1,325ℓ, and 2,376ℓ, respectively.

It also has a function that automatically locks all doors if the work-away lock button in the tailgate is pushed more than 1 meter away from the vehicle.

It is useful when you hold your two hands full at campsites or large supermarkets or forget to lock your door after taking out your luggage.

The pilot is equipped with the latest fourth-generation V6 engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The maximum power is 289 horsepower and the maximum torque is 36.2 kg.m. Combined fuel efficiency is 8.4km/l and highway fuel efficiency is 10km/l.

It has adopted a full-time four-wheel drive system that plays a significant role in dirt roads, rainy roads, and snow. In everyday driving, unnecessary power loss is prevented and power is transmitted only with the front wheels to increase fuel efficiency.

As a family car, it has excellent safety. It obtained the highest safety level 'TSP+' in the US IIHS crash test, which is famous for being tricky.

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The black edition model gives a more luxurious image by applying an interior design with black color details and red color points to the inside and outside based on the elite, which is the top trim.

The front is decorated with a black grill bar with an emblem dedicated to the black edition. Black color was applied to the bottom of the front bumper.

All black colors are red from the bottom garnish of the door, the bottom of the rear bumper, the door mirror, and the door molding, and the black edition emblem is attached to the rear. The 20-inch black alloy wheel emphasizes a grand and strong image.

The interior also emphasized dignity with black and red accents. Black steering garnish and black headrest are applied. Red accents and stitches were added to the black sheet.

It applied black sensibility to even the smallest part. The Black Edition logo is engraved on the first row headrest and the first row floor mat.

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During the test drive, I felt ridiculous again. It's driving performance. This is because SUVs from the U.S. resemble Japanese family sedans.

The steering wheel has the right weight. It doesn't even show off that it's a big SUV. When you step on the accelerator pedal, it is soft and lightly hit. In the curved section, it is agile and moves stably compared to its size.

Quietness is also excellent. It has improved the sealing sound insulation function to reduce driving noise. The suspension absorbs road shocks well, so there is less rattling.

As an all-weather SUV that encompasses both urban and off-road, it has seven drive modes consisting of Normal, Sports, Icon, Snow, Trail, Sand and Tow.

Mountain roads, muddy roads, sandy beaches, and snow make you not afraid. It gives the family the feeling of going on an adventure in a private jet controlled by the pilot father.

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Pilot is a 'multi-player' who has a lot of greed for his family. When I didn't know, I felt ridiculous as if I had been hit in the back of my head, but when I knew it, it had a reassuring and liveable twist charm.

The price is 69.4 million won for Elite and 70.9 million won for Black Edition.

The competitors include Ford Explorer, Volkswagen Touarek, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Chevrolet Traverse.