Honda has four multi-use vehicles in the 2004 collection of SUVs and each differs in size, organization and purpose. The group includes the midsize Pilot sport-utility vehicle, CR-V compact SUV, boxy Element the cargo-hauling van and Odyssey, a seven-passenger minivan.

Pilot popped out of a Canadian assembly plant in Ontario last year as the first SUV designed and built exclusively by Honda. While it appears tough and strong in the shape of a boxy sport-ute, it differs from a conventional truck-based SUV because it springs from a unitized structure that's innately stiff and strong, and there's a smart four-wheel-drive (4WD) system permanently engaged to direct the engine's muscle to all wheels when needed to maintain tire traction and keep the vehicle moving forward. In Pilot's spacious cabin, all aspects seem comfortable and convenient in the Honda tradition, with capacity extending to eight passengers.

Element, best described as a mobile dorm room, is a basic vehicle with cavernous wash-and-wear cabin that's flexible and convertible to accommodate four riders and all sorts of packed gear. Honda's designers equate the concept of Element with a California lifeguard station, a shack on stilts like the ones on "Baywatch" TV shows. It's a small but livable space, carefree but cleanable with a broom or sponge, secure and lockable, but quite simple in design, scale and concept. The variation for Element is that wheels have been added, plus the locomotion mechanisms of a sturdy SUV rigged with a thrifty but strong four-pack powerplant.

The name explains Honda's compact SUV: Comfortable Runabout Vehicle. For simplicity, Honda shortens it to the initials of CR-V. It's a five-door crossover sport-utility built on the platform of a car. Current versions emerged in a new design two years ago and repeat for 2004.

Honda's design for Odyssey the minivan first appeared in 1999 on a longer and broader platform with the floor set at a low level like a car so you could step in or out easily. Making a van more like a car has always been the big idea behind a minivan, of course, but until Honda's design appeared no other automaker dared to structure and equip a minivan with so many car-like comforts. That overriding concept of making a minivan easy to drive and easy to use explains why Odyssey has been so successful in a market filled with keen competitors.

Honda's midsize SUV has a tall stance for clearing off-road obstacles and a 4WD system works constantly but automatically to maintain traction on pavement or dirt.

It delivers plenty of muscle, thanks to the aluminum V6 powerplant. With single overhead camshaft and four valves in every cylinder, the advanced engine displaces 3.5 liters and uses Honda's remarkable VTEC (variable value timing and lift electronic control) valvetrain to precisely manage engine breathing and combustion in order to maximize horsepower and disperse the torque across a broad band. It produces a hardy 240 hp.

Cabin capacity extends to eight seats in an arrangement with twin buckets on the first row, a bench for three on the second row and a third bench that holds three children. Benches on rows two and three split 60/40 to vary the layout as seatbacks fold flat. With all seats down, the broad, long and tall compartment provides up to 90 cubic feet of cargo space. Safety equipment includes both front and side air bags, shoulder belts and headrests at every seat position, and child seat anchors on the second row.

Pilot comes in two well-equipped versions of LX and EX. The LX stocks air conditioning, power for windows and door locks and mirrors, cruise control, and a stereo audio system with CD deck. EX adds automatic climate controls, eight-way driver's seat, alloy wheels, roof rails and a fold-down activity tray for kids. New features for EX-L (the L indicates leather upholstery added) are heated seats and heated side mirrors, plus new body colors like Evergreen Pearl and Midnight Blue Metallic.

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