The seven-passenger 2012 Honda Pilot is a larger midsize crossover SUV with plenty of family friendly features, bringing to the table peace of mind through the Japanese automaker’s continuing commitment to class-leading active and passive safety technology. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the Pilot earned the top “Good” rating for frontal-offset, side impact and rear crash testing, while it was given a “Marginal” rating in rollover roof strength testing.

The Pilot uses a car-like unibody construction rather than the body-on-frame construction of truck-based SUVs, but is plenty strong thanks to Honda’s patented Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) system. By linking together front end body and chassis components, ACE helps to distribute collision forces more evenly and away from passengers inside.

Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist system combines traction control with systems designed to prevent unintended oversteer and understeer, helping to keep the vehicle planted on the driver’s chosen path. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution come standard, bringing the Pilot to a stop from 60 mph in just 130 feet.

Every Pilot comes standard with driver and passenger front and side-impact airbags. Passenger airbags feature an occupant sensing system, preventing deployment if there is no passenger or a small child present. Honda also wisely equipped the Pilot with large side-curtain airbags covering all three rows. Many competitors’ curtain airbags on large vehicles only cover the first and second rows.

Parents with small children will be happy to know that the Pilot comes with LATCH child safety seat anchors for all three second-row positions, as well as for the passenger-side third-row seat, allowing up to four full-size child safety seats.

For larger families needing a spacious vehicle with seating for seven plus an outstanding complement of standard safety and convenience features, the Pilot makes a fine choice.