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• 2008 HONDA PILOT LX AWD
• Price: $39,820
• Engine: 3.5-litre V-6, SOHC
• Horsepower/torque: 244 hp/240 lb-ft
• Transmission: Five-speed automatic
• Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 14.1 city/9.7 highway; regular gas
• Alternatives: Ford Explorer and Taurus X, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Nissan Pathfinder, Jeep Commander, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Hyundai Santa Fe and Veracruz, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX-9, Volvo CX70

The 2008 Honda Pilot is a killer deal right now and if you are looking for a reliable, safe and perfectly functional SUV with decent fuel economy, put the Pilot at the very top of your shopping list.

And right now. Don't waste a second.

You see, Honda has loaded up the new-product pipeline with an all-new version of the Pilot. The 2009 model is about to hit showrooms as the remaining '08s go out the door.

Savvy shoppers know that one of the best times to get a deal on any car is at the last moment before a renovated model arrives. Honda has certainly renovated the '09 Pilot, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the current one.

Honda Canada and its dealers, of course, know that. And they're anxious to sell off any remaining '08s — that's why Honda is offering the Pilot with a 0.9-per-cent finance rate. That's a good rate and it matters.

Let's say you buy a base LX with all-wheel-drive, which with all the taxes and fees included would run you about $48,000 — not including any discounts you can get (and we'll cover those shortly). If you put down $10,000 in cash or trade-in, you will be left with about a $38,000 bill.

Financing that at 0.9 per cent, compared with a line-of-credit rate like 5.0 per cent, saves you nearly $3,300 or about $68 a month for 48 months. That's good, but there's more.

My sources say Honda Canada is throwing in another $3,000 in "stackable" factory-to-dealer trading dollars on the Pilot. Being stackable means you can combine the $3,000 with the financing bonus rate that could save you $3,000 or so. Total savings: about $6,300.

Now if you don't want to finance, there is a $4,000 factory-to-dealer incentive out there. It is not stackable so you cannot pile up the $4,000 with the 0.9-per-cent rate.

Honda is being very public about the 0.9-per-cent financing. On the other hand, you'll have to negotiate with your dealer to get any or all of that cash incentive.

In the 2008 Pilot you'll get a really outstanding SUV.

Take quality. Consumer Reports magazine rates the Pilot as its most reliable 2008 mid-size SUV. Honda is also at the top of the list in both of J.D. Power and Associates short- and long-term quality studies.

I am surprised to say that the Pilot is not ranked among the top three models in its class in either Power quality study, but I wouldn't worry about that. The Pilot is a reliable ride; bet on it.

Safety? The Pilot is a top safety pick from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This wagon has earned a best-possible "good" rating for front, side and rear impacts.

So there you have my logical, rational, left-brain argument for the Pilot. The right brain has a slightly tougher time, though. That's because the '08 Pilot is kind of dull in the styling department. Sexy it's not, unless being analytical is sexy for you.

I do know some people who get all hot and bothered and sweaty about money matters. That brings me to resale values. You might be one to start panting about the strong residuals for Honda's light trucks (SUVs, minivans and pickups).

According to the Canadian Black Book, Honda's light trucks are among the best in Canada, retaining 47.2 per cent of their original value after four years — 12.7 per cent above the industry average.

The biggest drawback to an '08 Pilot is that you might just get sick of it before it gets sick of you — before it starts coughing and sputtering and breaking down and falling apart.

Along the way you'll live with a quiet-riding utility with decent power (244 horsepower), a 2,045-kg towing capacity and a comfortable, smartly designed cabin.

Sure enough, the exterior is shaped like a bread box, but that pays off in maximizing the interior space. That cabin will seat up to eight, thanks to a little folding third-row seat.

That's the big picture. Zoom in and you'll find some small but smart things built into the cabin.

Take the centre console tray. It has built-in storage, a flip-out storage door with spots to hold pens, a notepad and business cards and pockets for maps. A sliding lid on top keeps it all looking very tidy.

There is task lighting at all seating positions. Behind the front seats, you'll find stadium-style seating for the second and third rows. That is, to improve visibility, the second-row passengers sit slightly higher than those in front, while those in the third row are a bit higher than those in the second.

The Pilot's V-6 is a good engine, though with it revving hard, the otherwise very quiet Pilot is noisier than I'd like. It is mated to a smooth and efficient five-speed automatic transmission that helps it deliver 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 14.1 litres/100 km city and 9.7 highway.

Honda sells a front-drive Pilot, but I have only tested models with full-time four-wheel-drive. The Pilot is not an ultra-serious off-roader, though it will easily tackle unpaved roads and slippery winter weather. Honestly, this is a tall, nice-riding SUV with a four-wheel independent suspension, responsive steering and strong brakes. The suspension design does its job well and is smartly executed to allow for a flat load floor in the rear.

As you can see, I can't help getting all left brain on you here. Ultimately it's because the Pilot is such a great deal right now.