How does the 2009 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year stack up against the segment leader?With its mix of haute couture style and funky functionality, the new Ford Flex beat out the Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the Subaru Forester to take the 2009 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s Utility Vehicle of the Year award.
Second place: 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
Congrats to Ford. Well done. No doubt the Flex makes a big styling statement compared to Ford's previous crossover attempts -- the bland 2005 Freestyle and slightly less bland '08 Taurus X. But when it comes to good ol' fashioned value -- what should be a high priority for buyers in this class -- how does Ford's latest crossover hold up against what some consider the established leader in its segment, the also new for '09 Honda Pilot.
Another new Ford product based off the first-generation Volvo S80 chassis, the stylish six- or seven-passenger Flex crossover is in theory a replacement for the long-gone Ford Freestar/Windstar minivan.
Pricing starts at $35,499 for a seven-passenger front-wheel drive Flex SEL. Our tester was a fully loaded Limited with part-time all-wheel drive. With an overly large sunroof ($1,700), towing package ($500), navigation system ($2,500), DVD player ($1,200) and $500 for the Mini Cooper-mimicking white roof, the finally tally came to $49,399 -- $521 less than the similarly equipped Pilot.
Style and room
Beyond the Flex's hip-to-be-square design, the main interior benefits over the eight-passenger Pilot are second-row legroom and overall headroom. Being 277 mm longer than the Honda, there's 148 mm more room for the two second-row occupants to stretch their legs out. Moving to the top-of-the-line Flex Limited deletes the middle second-row seating position found in lesser models, turning it into a three-row, six-seater. At least those second-row captain's chairs are heated.
In terms of style -- like the contrast in the two vehicles' exterior designs -- the Flex's interior is like the Vegas strip compared to the subdued cabin of the Pilot. There's enough fake chrome, aluminum and wood that a Lincoln badge wouldn't look out of place on the rump of the Ford.
The highway is its home
Performance isn't really a priority in this class, which is a good thing. Both crossovers are powered by 3.5-litre V6s. The Flex's mill has a bit more horsepower than the Pilot (262 to 250), yet less torque (248 to 253 lb.-ft.) Both weigh in with around 2,100 kg, and consume in the neighbourhood of 13.0L/100 km in the city, and 9.0L on the highway. And both have the ability to tow around 2,000 kg. So its no surprise the pair of these quasi-minivans are equal in the run up to 100 km/h, in the nine-second range.On paper, the Ford's six-speed, automatic transmission (versus only five in the Honda) should give an advantage. But it's been tuned for soft shifts at the expense of responsiveness. And "soft" is also the adjective here when it comes to how the Flex responds as a driver's car -- both on and off the road.
The Flex is happiest cruising in a straight line on the highway, delivering a comfortable and quiet ride. But when the road turns twisty, the Ford feels like the limo it's trying to be -- it is too slow and reluctant in taking commands from the helm. And where that extra length helps interior room and ride comfort, the Flex simply can't go where the shorter Honda (with its shorter overhangs) can travel once the pavement runs out.
Has form trumped function?
If you're smitten by the 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD's unique looks, only need room for six, and never intend to travel off the beaten path, go with the Flex. But we think there's another large crossover that's an even better value...
Buy this car if ... you want a minivan that looks like a Mini Cooper; you want limo-like rear legroom; you have to spend all day cruising highways.
Don't buy this car if ... you want a responsive and agile utility vehicle; you want to go into the woods; you need eight seats.
First place: 2009 Honda Pilot Touring
If style isn't at the top of your large crossover priority list, Honda's stodgy looking yet practical second-generation Pilot not only offers one more seat than the Flex, it's also a better drive both on and off the pavement.
The offspring of a luxury crossover father (Acura MDX) and a minivan mother (Honda Odyssey), Honda's first generation Pilot was born in the summer of 2002 as a 2003 model. Six years later, Honda hasn't drastically altered the Pilot's split minivan SUV DNA for its new '09 model.
As the top-line Pilot model (base front-drive models start at $36,820) the part-time all-wheel-drive $49,920 Touring comes only one way -- loaded. In addition to the typical "power everything," and leather this 'n that, highlights include a navigation system with French and English voice recognition, de rigueur rear DVD system (with headphones), a power tailgate, and a trailer hitch and harness, heavy-duty radiator, oil cooler and limited slip differential for towing.
Forget length -- it's the width that counts
If not offering as much second-row rear legroom as the Flex, the Pilot offers more shoulder and hip room. Its extra width means three can sit relatively comfortably in both back rows. Plus there's a bit more cargo room out back: 589 litres versus 566 L in the Ford.
With acres of black plastic, there's not as much interior bling as in the Ford. But in the spirit of Apple's original mint-and-white iMacs, the Pilot Touring's driver's instrumentation features a floating needle design with a white background.
Unfortunately -- and typical of many U.S.-designed Hondas -- its centre control stack is ridiculously festooned with too many buttons of the same shape and size.
A family hauler with all the right moves, both on- and off-road
A buttoned-down chassis and solid body structure make the new Pilot a much more rewarding car to drive than the softly tuned and loose-feeling Flex. Without the wallowing found in the Ford, the Honda feels almost European its suspension tuning -- firm, but not too harsh. Steering with more feel and cornering with less lateral roll are quickly noticed. In back-to-back corners, the Pilot feels more planted due to its 36 mm wider front- and 26 mm wider rear-wheel tracks.
But what really separates the Pilot from the Flex is its outstanding off-road capabilities. Features normally found on vehicles with Land Rover badges -- like hill-start assist (which sends maximum torque to the rear wheels at speeds up to 30 km/h), four-wheel-lock, and shorter front and rear overhangs -- means this Honda isn't afraid to get its shiny alloys dirty.
Is this the best value in large crossovers?
OK, the Pilot's no Jeep Wrangler when it comes to tackling serious off-road terrain. For instance, there's no low transmission range. But at speeds up to 30 km/h, a push of a button directs maximum torque to the rear wheels (up to 70-per cent depending on the amount of tire slip), which can also help out in deep snow.
Knowing these limitations, the 2009 Honda Pilot Touring is still a nice compromise between the refined driving qualities of a crossover and the rugged off-road capabilities of an SUV. All around, the new Honda is an impressive effort. Impressive enough, in this shootout to beat this year's Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.
Buy this car if ... you want plenty of room for eight passengers and their gear; you want a large crossover that's not afraid of a twisty road; you want to go further off-road than your gravel laneway.
Don't buy this car if ... you favour good looks over function.
Not bad, the worst thing they say about the Pilot is the style and that is completely subjective!
Source;
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/cross_over_special/article.aspx?cp-documentID=18178497
