2009 HONDA New SUV Model Guide

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Honda shows five multi-use vehicles in the Class of 2009 and each differs in structure, purpose and scale. The collection includes the mid-size Pilot crossover utility vehicle (CUV), CR-V, the compact-class CUV, boxy Element, the cargo-hauling van, and Odyssey, a minivan with room for eight. Then there's Ridgeline, Honda's pickup sometimes described as a SUT, or sport utility truck. Pilot appears in a new generational design for 2009, while Ridgeline rates a makeover inside and out, and Element earns fresh curve-cast body styling.

CR-V
Honda's CR-V (Comfortable Runabout Vehicle) is an agile five-door CUV riding on a car chassis and showing bold body styling and a five-seat cabin with fancy features and a load of safety equipment. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) powertrain amounts to a 2.4-liter in-line-four with Honda's i-VTEC (intelligent variable value timing and lift electronic control) technology aboard. It produces 166 hp and links to a five-speed electronic automatic transmission. Honda's automatic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is also available to improve tire grip. Honda builds the CR-V in three trim grades — well-equipped LX, deluxe EX and top-tier EX-L lined in leather.

Pilot
The mid-size CUV from Honda offers FWD traction or a smart AWD system labeled VTM-4, meaning Variable Torque Management Four for four-wheel-drive. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 delivers 250 and carries Honda's variable cylinder management (VCM) to trim the number of cylinders firing when a power boost is not required. Pilot's 2009 issues mark a generational change with the package size growing in length, width and height, and the eight-passenger cabin increasing the content of standard equipment and safety systems. Trim levels for Pilot are the LX, EX, EX-L and Touring, the latter with a 512-watt AM/FM/6X-CD premium audio system.

Element
Expect updated exterior styling and more equipment aboard the 2009 issues of Honda's cubistic wagon. It has a wash-and-wear cabin with four seats. Double doors on flanks open in pillar-less fashion for loading passengers and cargo. For locomotion, Element stocks a twin-cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that links to a manual five-speed or automatic five-speed transaxle for FWD traction or a version with Honda's VTM-4 AWD system. The sporty variation — Element SC — gets a sport-tuned suspension and premium features. Standard safety equipment includes curtain-style side air bags and VSA (vehicle stability assist).

Odyssey
Honda's minivan offers four trims — LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Inside, there are up to three tiers of seats with options for folding or removing second-row seats and a "Magic Seat" in back that folds into the floor. A strong 3.5-liter VTEC V6 yields 244 hp. Odyssey's top two trims employ the next generation of Honda's VCM to decrease cylinder firing to conserve on fuel. Safety devices extend to a traction control system (TCS) and VSA plus curtain-style air bags above all outboard seats. Options extend to XM satellite radio and a DVD-based entertainment system.

Ridgeline
Ridgeline works as a pickup or sport utility vehicle. It has a four-door cab, plus a truck bed for hauling outdoor sporting equipment. For 2009, Honda's SUT scores a re-do with fresh body revisions, more cabin amenities and engine enhancements. It trims as the well-equipped RT, full-featured RTS and luxurious RTL or RTX with towing equipment aboard. Muscle comes from a 3.5-liter VTEC V6 worth 250 hp through an electronic five-speed automatic transaxle. The VTM-4 AWD system aboard every Ridgeline senses when four-wheel traction may be needed and shifts engine torque electronically from front to rear wheels.

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