Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005

qbrozen

i considered it a bit when i saw it at the NY auto show last year, but i'm just too in love with a nice handling car to drive a truck all the time. i do wish i could get her to swap the Pilot for the Ridgeline, but she insists on having that 3rd row for the once or twice a year that it actually comes in handy.

kennynmd

Tanks for all the help. Well, I guess Honda will have to wait for me to buy a Pilot since I'm in no rush to purchase. If there is no curtain airbags for 06 I probaby go with the MDX or the M-Class.

buickboy

Hi,

   I found this information at: http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- 38135

 

 News Pilot will be freshened for 2006. The changes won't be major, but Honda says they will include the mileage-boosting cylinder-deactivation feature already offered on the Odyssey minivan, which uses the same basic V6. In addition, all '06 Pilots are likely to add no-cost curtain side airbags and perhaps the antiskid system now restricted to top-line versions. This would be in line with Honda's new policy of making such features standard for most all Honda/Acura models by 2007.

 

A fully redesigned Pilot is apparently on tap for 2008, with a new 3.8-liter V6 likely. Other components and even some body/chassis structure could come from Honda's new 2006 Ridgeline pickup.

 

I hope this helps!

kennynmd

Definitely helps...thanks much. I think the Pilot is a buy whenever it comes out. In the past, when does the upcoming model year come out?

qbrozen

October-ish

dadoftay

I think I'll play it safe. I tried that line of the buying pickup with my wife and she said "Go for it."

My buddies 3/4 truck just hauled our ATVs and an off road golf cart back today and we never knew they were behind the truck. Unfortunately, I think I found my new vehicle in the pick up world.

laurheis

We just bought a Pilot on Sunday, and our salesperson told us that the 2006 Ridgeline will be available on March 1, 2005! Honda must be anxious to show it off.

qbrozen

that's not totally unusual for an all-new vehicle. For instance, I remember the launch date of the '02 WRX was April '01. March does seem a bit early, though. I'd be surprised if you could get one on that day, but I wouldn't fall to the floor.

 

October'ish is when I believe Honda usually comes out with the next model year of a pre-existing model. At least, that's what happened with the '04 and '05 Pilots.

enascar3

I recently purchased an 05 EX-L which has the VSA. The dealer says it must stay on all the time. If that is the case, why is there an on/off button next to the cruise control and moon roof button? It seems to me, if this is an always must be engaged feature, it would be built in without the operator having control over it. What are the pros and cons off turning it off?

Thanks

wmquan

There are some unusual circumstances that you don't want it to engage. E.g. if you're in a more off-road type situation and trying to get yourself out, sometimes it will work against you. Thus even the more off-road-intended vehicles usually have a switch to disengage some part of the stability control system, especially any power reduction.

 

Otherwise you should leave it on all the time.

 

The other circumstance that is what some drivers define as "having fun." E.g. they want to do doughnuts or spins in an empty, snow-covered parking lot. Similarly, some drivers of sports cars or sport sedans will want to hang the tail out "for fun." VSA will work against those activities.

bajabill1

The driver should be able to dissable it, but the switch is typically in a less accessible location. Other cars I have and have driven have the traction control switch in the glovebox.

bajabill1

FWIW, in my opinion, honda gets a failing grade ergonomically for locating the 3 or 4 switches there, the cruise, vsa, interior lights, and moonroof. They are too low, and in an unlit location. I cant find them without taking my eye off of the road for a long time.

qbrozen

i only have the cruise switch down there ('03), but, yeah, I agree that its a ridiculous place. Thankfully, though, once pushed in, the cruise button will stay on even when you turn the car off and on again. So we switched it on when we first got the vehicle (and figured out how the heck it works) and have never turned it off since. Which, of course, makes me wonder what the heck the reason for the button is in the first place.

 

Having my moonroof button down there would definitely be a big issue for me. I would have to relocate that thing.

bajabill1

not only is it not located up by the window, it is not a one touch operation. You have to hold your hand on the poorly located switch while the window opens. And the interior light switch is not obvious to distinguish between toggled up, neutral, or toggled down. These switches are bad designs. Hopefully, future years models will correct them.

isellhondas

" I would have to relocate that thing"

 

Really? It would be THAT big of a deal that you would go to all that trouble?

 

I'll agree, it could be up higher on the dash but I know I got quickly used to mine and didn't fumble after the first few times.

qbrozen

I'm obsessive like that.

dep

When we started looking at SUVs we quickly discovered that most truck based ones could be had with 4WD systems that have true locking front and rear diffs*. while car based SUVs tend to have open diffs.

 

While this may not be a big issue for most of the people most of the time it is very clear that open diffs do not allow for nearly the level of traction as locking ones do. For example, if one front and one rear wheel has no traction you don't move

 

I had asked the dealers about the Pilot but they did not know what I was asking and normally just made up some babble that had no meaning. So, it was the internet to the rescue again. So far I have discovered the following about the 05 Pilot VTM-4 system:

 

-100% FWD at speed

-Up to 55% moved to rear axle as needed

-Rear diff is a set of two electromagnetic clutch packs (think Jeep) that create a true locking diff. This alone moves the Pilot above the Highlander, Murano, and other car based SUVs.

 

Questions I still have:

 

-Does the Pilot move power to the rear wheels when moving from a stop? Honda says nothing about this but I have seen references to it in some reviews

-Is the FRONT diff locking? I am guessing not but I can't seem to find anything specific on this.

 

*The new Jeep GC can be had with an AWD system that can move 100% of power to a single wheel should all others loose traction! Very impressive.

qbrozen

I have read many times in many different places that it does, in fact, put power to the rear wheels when you accelerate from a stop.

wmquan

This is documented pretty well on www.hondanews.com.

 

See:

 

http://www.hondanews.com/CatID2078?mid=2002051647918&mime=asc

 

VTM-4 has three modes:

 

- Normal cruising, the vehicle is 100% FWD until slippage is detected, upon which torque is routed to the rear. The vehicle can alter how much torque is split between the two rear wheels.

 

- Under certain acceleration curves, some torque is routed to the rear to help with the "launch."

 

- If you are in 1st, 2nd, or reverse gear, AND you hit the VTM-4 lock button, torque will be routed to the rear, split 50/50 between the rear wheels. The amount of torque will vary depending on the speed, totally being removed from the rears at 18mph. This "lock mode" is designed for extricating yourself from a sticky situation.

 

As far as the front wheel goes, I know that more recent years of the Acura MDX use brake-based traction management on the front axle. The VSA system will pulse-brake an individual front wheel to gain traction. Supposedly this means that the vehicle can, on paper, get by with only any one wheel with traction. I do not know if the Pilot has this capability yet. Previous MDX's had a totally open front differential so it was theoretically possible to get stuck when only one front wheel had traction.

 

The Pilot's AWD system, with the acceleration and manual lock modes, is thus more advanced than other more basic AWD systems. It is not as extreme as systems that have front/rear lockers, true center differentials, permanent rear torque distribution, and/or deliver more torque to individual wheels. However, after several years of MDX and Pilot experiences, most owners are quite happy with their AWD systems. There are some who wish they had a bit more traction. In some cases those can be handled with winter tires. Some look at other vehicles.

 

Good luck.

rsharp

Hey Laurheis welcome to the Pilot forums as an owner. You will find their are far far fewer negatives going on over here than you had on the Pacifica forums. I have yet to see anyone here posting lemon law claims on a Pilot.

 

FYI for others: Laurheis had a Pacifica that gave her nothing but grief. Luckily she got her money back and is now a Pilot owner.

 

After driving the Pacifica a great deal and almost buying one, I can say that I am glad I chose the Pilot. Quality issues still abound on the Pacifica, even though looks-wise it is nice the quality just is not there compared to the Honda.

lumber2

A pretty comprehensive answer. Honestly I think a simple open center differential, with simple open differential front and rear, plus traction control on all four wheels would suffice and be simpler than VTM in the vast majority of owners.

laurheis

Thank you! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new Pilot! I have a smile on my face the entire time I am driving around. What a difference. I am such a Honda person - I LIKE the way my Pilot looks. My husband was completely seduced by the lines of the Pacifica, but, quite frankly, I never warmed up to the way it looked. To much wasted space, in my humble opinion. I look forward to much less posting on this site!

rsharp

Funny you said your husband liked the lines of the Pacifica. Same thing for me and my wife. She liked the Pac OK but I was the person who really liked the styling, she was at best neutral on the Pac style. But since it was going to be mainly my car she didn't say much. I suspect that were it going to be her car we would never have gotten past the first test drive of the Pac.

 

But when we finally got to drive a Pilot then she made up her mind immediately. We went to test drive a Pilot just to compare and we purchased it immediately. After one test drive she was convinced that the Pilot was a much better choice than the Pac.

 

That was further confirmed when we went on vacation and drove a rental Pac for a week. Again I liked the style and the ride, but functionally the Pac is not as easy to use for 6 people as the Pilot. And with 6 people in the Pac there is room for almost NOTHING behind the 3rd row.

 

If you husband wants more style have him buy a new Honda Ridgeline! I told my wife I would give her my Pilot and get a new Ridgline...there is just that pesky thing of paying for it.

dep

Thanks for that link! That was exactly what I was looking for.

 

-D

monark613

Our 2002 X-5 lease expires 4-15.Trouble free..30,000 miles. Traded in a Rodeo on a pre-paid lease. But now it's too small as We now have 2 kids under 2! Interested in MDX base model ( no interest in DVD or Nav system) and Pilot EX-L $5000 difference. Just wondering if MDX is worth the extra 5k. Plus it seats 7 vs 8 on Pilot. Anyone care to chime in? Thanks!

kennynmd

I am in the same boat with one boy at 19 months and another on the way in 4 months. Since your lease is due up soon, I would go with the MDX because it has side curtain airbags. In my case, I'm not in a rush and will probably wait til the 06 Pilot comes out because it supposedly it has side curtain airbags as standard or option. Also, I'm not really interested in leather seats.

dep

In the base model I don't think the MDX is worth the extra 5K unless you really feel you have to have side curtain airbags. The fun extras that make the MDX really interesting vs. the Pilot come as part of the Touring package which adds several thousand to the price.

 

The good news is that you should be able to get the MDX at invoice as they are being redesigned for '06.

dep

In the base model I don't think the MDX is worth the extra 5K unless you really feel you have to have side curtain airbags. The fun extras that make the MDX really interesting vs. the Pilot come as part of the Touring package which adds several thousand to the price.

 

The good news is that you should be able to get the MDX at invoice as they are being redesigned for '06.

qbrozen

well, i certainly don't see where the $5K extra is worth it. HOWEVER, are you leasing the next vehicle, too? If so, the $5K means nothing to you, its all about the payment. So that's what I would look at. Try to work out your best lease deal on both vehicles and go from there. Maybe an extra $10 or $20 a month will look much better to you than thinking about $5K.

ukko

monark613,

I have owned both the MDX and now the Pilot. To me the extras in the MDX were not worth it and the difference in monthly payments was not 20 or 30 bucks but 100+. To me the two vehicles are very similar. In the Pilot EX-L there are still the heated seats, mirrors, and similar interior. I noticed the extra space in the Pilot and it has been a big plus. The ride of the Pilot is a little softer vs. the MDX with touring. Regular fuel vs. premium fuel also is easier on the wallet. We have had zero problems with our 2004 Pilot.

 

Good luck........

allison5

I have posted before and I am still in such a quandry. We have 3 kids under age 11 and hae narrowed down the car purchasing to Pilot, Odyessy or the BIG Sequoia (however doubt we can afford the Sequoia). LOVE the Pilot but am worried about whether enough room for 3 kids, friends etc. We also take trips sometimes with our (dog 80lb). WAIT!! That probably would not be a factor (dog) because we would probably be keeping either 4 door truck or Yukon. I have been hearing so much on uncomfortable seats in Odyessy it scares me....I had a 2001 Odyessy and it was not the most comforable seat I have sat in. Sienna is out of question due to short seats. DOes anyone own this vehicle with at least 2-3 young kids and do they find the space is good enough?

jfavour

I have three children under age 6 and I have them all in car seats in a 2002 CR-V and a 2000 Accord Sedan. I have been looking at getting a Pilot for a bit more room (and the third seat). A dealer let me drive one home and try my car seats and check how it fit in my garage, etc. I could easily fit the three car seats in the second row together. If I can fit 3 car seats in there, you should be able to fit your 3 kids. Plus, the 3rd row split folds, so you could have 2 kids in the 2nd row, 1 in the 3rd row and still use half of the 3rd row for storage. The new Odyssey would probably have a bit more storage, plus better access to the third row for your kids. I can't comment about seat comfort, as I have found all of my Honda seats to be very comfortable.

jay_24

I too have three kids 7 and under. the 3 seats fit. However I found that since two are booster seats and the kids use the regular seat belts it is very difficult to squeeze your hand between the booster seats to buckle/unbuckle them.

Three 18inch wide child/booster seats = total width of Pilot back seat with no extra room between them.

I'd consider the Sienna 8 passanger, but if the seat comfort is poor then maybe something else?

-jay

allison5

I just was looking at older posts, saw yours and was wondering what you thought of your Odyessy? I had an earlier Odyessy and the seats in it made my back very tired, achy especially long drives (I too have a very picky back)however Pilot does not feel as bad, but we have 3 kids and am trying to figure out which Honda to get (comfort is a hugh thing to me). Have you been happy with Odyessy?

allison5

I heard that driving in the Sierra's (calif) the Pilot has a harder time especially as the elevation really increases. Now I have also heard very dilfferent opinions, so now I don't know what to believe. DOes anyone have any opinions about this? I am getting closer to making my decision about which car to get but al wondering now if we should keep our yukon (short version) for mountain driving, more room etc (we have 3 kids and dog). I just do not like driving this big vehicle, especially all over locally where it's harder to park, big gas hog, very expensive payments etc etc.

chuminthewater

But, I am a new 05 Pilot owner. And according to my dealer (from a lengthy test drive) the drive by wire 'throttle' should either correct or improve extreme elevation driving.

rsharp

I am heading to Colorado tomorrow in our Pilot to ski for a week. It is about a 12 hour trip out to Denver. This will be our first trip to the mountains in the Pilot. So when I get back I will let you know what happens (if anything). We decided we needed a bigger SUV after last year's ski trip in my 2001 Hyundai Sante Fe. We were just to cramped and didn't really have room for all or our stuff. Skiing takes so much stuff.

03lxv6

Last year ConsumerGuide was way off for their information for 05 Pilot (If I remember correctly, they are saying something about curtain airbag and optional rear side airbag). Let's hope they have it right this time.

srl99

We drove our 05 EX-L from Berkeley, CA to Reno,
NV - from about sea level, over Donner Pass
(7.8k ft?) and back down to about 5.2k ft. Two
people and a 100lb dog.

The lady of the house has a bit of a heavy foot
and she had no complaints. She did have trouble
keeping the speed down, and had to rely on the
cruise control.

I suspect a bunch more luggage will make a
difference, as would a heavier passenger, but I
wouldn't describe the car as under-powered.

--S

allison5

but I do not think after giving it serious thought that a Pilot is going to work in our family. Though I really wish it could, maybe in another five-six years when my oldest is almost driving age himself I can think about it again. WHo knows what they will have then. But since we have 3 kids under age 11 and 80lb dog I am back on the Sequoia/Odyessy route. Have Yukon now, have had only 1 year and a lot of trouble with it already and don't like the seating in it.Will start checking these other 2 out and see what happens unless I chicken out and still go for pilot, (I must be nuts, can't make up my mind and car that is too small......YIKES!!!

dadoftay

I would go revisit the 05 Odyssey before the Sequoia. You are probably used to 18mpg with you Yukon, the Toyota is only gonna get aroud 14mpg. I was looking at them until my aunt bought one. Her best tank was around 16mpg on the highway!
I would think your Honda dealer would let you drive a demo Odyssey home for a day and see how you like it. For the room you need, it's gonna be tought to beat that minivan versatility.
I'm looking at a Pilot/Odyssey as well. Wife thinks it's a no-brainer to go with the SUV because it's cool. I say, more value with the van and I can always put TVs in it and the kids will think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread!!

cccompson

We have both an '05 Pilot EX-L Nav and (now, this week) an '05 Odyssey Touring R&N.

Each is a fine vehicle but the Odyssey is both more practical and the better value unless you absolutely must have AWD.

According to my two teens, the Odyssey is also "way cooler."

carzzz

Pilot looks a bit dull now and hope that it gets a good refresh on 2006! It is very likely that 2006 pilot has standard SAB, overhead CAB. VCM will be definitely be on some pilot(might be on higher trim). Model yr 2005 Ody is a great buy compare to pilot, esp EX or EX-L! More room, more standard features, with less insurance cost:)

smcadow

I have a 2004 Pilot with almost 30,000 mile on it. I would like to tow a 2500 pound Coleman popup camper. I know that the specifications state that this should work, etc. with the trailor tow kit. Before I spend several hundred dollars on this, I hope that someone has already been towing with their Pilot. Thanks for your help.

allison5

In my Yukon I am only getting 17 mpg at the most on the highway and about 11 in the city. I do drive highway a fair amount but for the most part I drive city taking kids her and there everyday after school. I too have heard that the Sequoia gets bad gas mileage (now gas is even higher here again in CA)who knows now what its going to do. Anyway for many reasons I do agree that the van is a more practical choice but I am telling you around here it seems like everyone is going SUV, moms don't want to be tied to the minivan look anymore and I think I am turing into one of them. My husband thinks I am nuts to get another SUV, thinks minivans are so much more practical with our 3 kids taking other kids home etc. We do not live where I need AWD but we go to the Sierra's in winter, however my husband has AWD truck. I can't but need to get passed this minivan stigma thing. Does anyone anywhere else in the country find that after having kids start to get a little older they are past the minivan stage and want SUV. I didn't really worry about it much until everyone else started talking about it...

55535432

We have both an '05 Pilot EX-L Nav and (now, this week) an '05 Odyssey Touring R&N.
.................................................

Does the navigation in the 05 Pilot double also as a rearview camera when backing up?

Thanks in advance for your response?

cccompson

No, there is no rear camera in the Pilot. It also does not have voice command. Feature-wise, it seems as though it is a generation (or two) behind the unit in the Odyssey.

In fact, if we had bought the cars in reverse order (Odyssey first) there is no way I could have justified the extra cost for the Pilot navigation system.

cccompson

Allison, from what you have said here, it is clear that you don't NEED an SUV at all.

"Minivan stigma?" I understand it as my wife refused another (after driving one for 8 years) and now drives a Pilot.

However, after I brought home an Odyssey Touring the other night (for me) she said, "Gee, I may just use that to get groceries - that power hatch is really nice."

My teens think the Odyssey is "way cooler" than the Pilot.

stever

That sounds like a good topic for a whole discussion. Ah, like SUV vs. Minivans.

Ultimately you have to drive what you like, even if it's hard to justify some of the trade-offs.

Steve, Host

dadoftay

My wife was the same way you are about the stigma thing. And, yes, I agree there is something to it. However, my wife and I just got a Nissan Murano for her and our 2 girls. She wouldn't even look at a minivan!! We love the Murano but if the four of us go to the grocery store and any of the kids things are in the back, forget about shopping for the week. There are just too many times that I could kick myself for not sticking to my guns on the minivan thing. Like I say, I bought into my wife being truly upset about looking "uncool". Her friends have 4Runners, Denalis, and Expeditions- you do the math. Besides, I've grown accustomed to sleeping in the bed and not the sofa.
I have to have a vehicle for towing, so the minivan thing is out for me because the Murano doesn't tow also. Look for the practical, most used aspects of these vehicles you're going to have to live with. Of course, if you can live with some shortcomings in the SUV and the image does really matter (I'm not poking fun here), go with the Pilot.
Remember, this is my take on the situation. My wife loves her Murano and thinks I'm over anaylizing and picky. She's the one driving it all the time and thinks it's the greatest. Like Steve said, drive what makes you happy. That Pilot could put a smile on your face at the end of a hard day where the Odyssey might make you even more mad.