AUTO PILOT; Honda delivers more of the same with its midsize ute-and that's a good thing.(News)

Byline: Natalie Neff

The spacey headlight design may be gone, but much of what Honda rolled onto the Detroit show floor in January has made its way into the production Pilot.

The floating trapezoidal grille insert is still there, as are the basic configuration of the interior and the squarer overall silhouette. In fact, the "concept'' from Detroit, like many we've seen over the years from Honda, has made the transition to the dealer showroom almost fully intact.

This Pilot also moves the nameplate in a more masculine direction, its boxier shape and stronger lines replacing what some considered the "SUV-lite'' design of the first generation.

That's because, according to Honda, owners wanted it that way.

Honda says many of the changes were driven by consumer feedback, including a desire for a more carlike demeanor on the road, roomier passenger accommodations and that tougher exterior styling. Consumers also drove the decision by Honda to make the Pilot bigger-despite owners of the previous vehicle saying they liked its overall size.

That growth spurt isn't immediately noticeable during a quick walkaround; it certainly hasn't ballooned to full-size-SUV proportions, but the Pilot indeed has expanded in almost all directions.