By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I have a Black EXL Pilot. I'd say both the MDX and ML both have a firmer ride then the Pilot. The ML was definitely a nice ride and handled well in the snow but in my opinion is a bit over rated. It's fit and finish weren't up to MB standards and lacked some creature comforts that the Pilot has such as basic placement of cup holders. It sounds trivial, but the cup holders on the ML were ridiculous.
I also love the fact that the Pilot has the shifter on the dash. So much as been said about not having the shifter on the floor, but the storage are this creates is phenomenal. On my ML, I always had stuff sitting on the passenger seat which ended up on the floor when that seat was occupied. With my Pilot I can keep all my goodies in the middle storage area. I see that as a big plus over the ML and MDX though the style hounds will disagree with pragmatists like myself.
Much has also been said about the "cheap" looking plastic on the Pilot. Again, it's in the eye of the beholder and after I guess having my expectations lowered by this board, I was pleasantly surprised by the interior. I thought it looked fine. To be honest it looks better then my '99 ML which was quite bland to say the least. I do have to say that I like the interior look of the MDX better then the Pilot, but again the shifter location for me makes the Pilot more useful.
Good luck on your decision.
I find the Pilot to be more quiet on the road than the MDX. It seems to have less road and wind noise? I was very pleasantly surprised.
I agree that there may be a problem with the production of silver Pilots. Although I own a silver one, thankfully, I have seen only one other than the one that I have. I remember prior to the release, word being put out that nearly 50% of Pilot's produced would be silver? It appears to be less than 10%.
A more realistic comparison is the Pilot EX-L and the MDX Base (Premium). The difference there is $4,220.
I wanted an MDX since they first came out but I didn't consider an MDX without the touring pkg a full MDX. I once had an SHO without it's touring pkg (most had it) and it cost me big time in resale.
I use my vehicle as an office on wheels so I need lots of space for stuff (it's plastic but not bad IMO). The MDX has a very nice dash but no place for stuff. The MDX ride is much stiffer than the Pilot. This is better for handling but not comfort. The Pilots lack of a moonroof really got me. I decided on the Pilot over the MDX (premium) mainly because of price and availability. I looked at most everything else out there and it came down to the MDX, Pilot and a Highlander Limited (also no place for stuff and much smaler).
We already have a Highlander Limited and love it (out of the three I'd rather drive the HL, very nimble) but I felt it was to small for my needs (it's my wife's).
Thanks!
The complete hands free kits such as the one for the Nokia phones are only available for standard (common) handsets such as these Nokia types. I actually use both my business phone (AT&T Nokia 6160) and personal phone (Verizon Nokia 3285) in the hands free unit.
I would stay away from any of the non integrated hands free units. They may be less expensive but do not work as well.
- security system (keyless entry and immobilizer are listed)
- outside temperature gauge
- automatic climate control
- power seat (driver and/or passenger)
I thought those items are standard fares nowadays in this class of vehicle.
One other thing. The EX-L only includes leather-trimmed seats for the front and 2nd row seats, which means you get vinyl for the 3rd row. Looks to me like the non-leather version would then be more desireable. And you save a couple of thousand Canadian bucks.
As far as the vinyl third seat, this is standard to all leather Pilots and is also used in the MDX. The logic is that the seat will be down alot anyway and when used it is likely to occupied by kids. The quality is excellent and I would describe it as 90% leather like anyway. It shouldn't be a problem.
My Black EX-L is on a truck and should be here no later than Monday. I paid full MSRP but got running boards and few other dealer installed options added at dealer cost.
Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to drive up there to pick up my Pilot and save the $850 Cdn freight.
On the other hand I was glad that my dealer was able to trade an Odyssey with the RES to another dealer to get the Pilot that I wanted. His Pilot allocation is one per month (he is a small dealer) and he sold 3 in the first week. So, if you are interested be sure to get down to your local dealer ASAP.
Bascially, I paid full price, Cad$43,000. With extra options I added by my resquest; backup sensor, cargo cover, all weather mats, rear splash guard. Rust & Scotch guard and paint protection. Add all the PDI...$100 air tax, $400 gas tax, $250 Admin (including etching serial no. which is an extra $2,000 bonus if stolen). End up paying inculding 15% tax Cad$53,325.
It is the Blue color,under the kids advice, I do not like the grey leather interior, but no choice. I like the saddle leather interior, but wife do not like the Red color (we trade-in our corel red 850 Volvo wagon with 3rd seat).
If you need the backup sensor, better let the dealer do it, as checked the web site installation, you have to take down the bumper, right quater panel and part of the 3rd seat.
I want to put in 50 watts halogen backup light, as too dark when backup through the tinted dark window. But dealer do not recomend, will melt socket. Also to headlights, blue cool they sell for $30 each, they don't recomend too (even they sell in the dealer for other Honda). They say Pilot is too new to be sure.
Agree the the 2nd middle is too hard for me. The 3rd seat is too tight for me too, especially on the driver side, as no toe room under the back of 2nd row, but on the passenger side the 3rd seat has a liitle bit of toe room as nothing under the 2nd row back. Check it out yourself.
I check with Acura dealer, they do not have any discount, base $48,000. Although you get your money worth better for the MDX, but I do not want to stretch more, just me. And I cannot wait for July prodution date for both Pilot and MDX. As friends and relatives start to pour in at mid July.
Sorry for long post. Hope this help.
I can't believe the cost of buying a Pilot. Probably get a decent Pathfinder or Trailblazer for C$7-10K less.
But if wife say yes write the cheque (certified), you cannot say no.
If you want a Honda Pilot now, that is what I pay.
Good luck.
Honda is making some good coin on these babies. I think I will buy some Honda stock instead of the Pilot.
;-)
I love my Suburban, but the Pilot is really, really nice to drive. The Pilot is my favorite for cruising around town, in part because it is just so "cool". My wife has been driving Volvos since 1974 and does not like driving big vehicles. However, her test drive in the Pilot ended her love affair with the Volvo brand. She is very pleased with the Pilot. As a piano professor, the music system is important to her. She especially likes the sound system controls on the steering wheel.
The cavernous center console space is a winning feature. Strong acceleration, passenger comfort, a feeling of safety, excellent handling, and relatively good fuel economy were also strong buying considerations.
So far, we have two minor criticisms: 1) The third row seat is only comfortable for two children. Three kids would be cramped. 2) A weird phenomenon occurs at 40 mph plus, if the front windows are closed and the rear windows are open-- then an air concussion inside the vehicle makes all passengers feel like their heads will explode. Crack a front window, and the feeling goes away. I wonder if all Pilots do this, or just ours. Otherwise, it is a marvelous vehicle and we love it.
This is from the BBC
Yes, that is a model of a tooth! I just don't see how you dial it!
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
pchiu: So auto climate control is also included with the base Pilot? I'm glad there's a power seat even for the cloth version. I wonder what's up with the brouchure with the incomplete information? I too would buy the backup sensor if I buy the Pilot.
dindak: I think a decent Pathfinder would cost about the same as a Pilot. The Chilkook Edition is a good deal but it lacks a few options.
ilikespace: How does your wife find the width of the Pilot when she's piloting it around town? That's the one thing I have some reservation about. The width is almost the same as your Suburban but the Sub is in a whole different size class.
Mine does the same thing, if you think that's something try it with only one rear window open.
This isn't unlike opening up a sunroof all the way.
The tooth phone must be voice activated.
How else would you dial a tooth phone.
I'm not looking for a keypad.
Pretty sure the EX Cad$41,000 has the atuo climate and the 2nd row separate control, as I was test driven the cloth model, and seat at the 2nd row. You can go to Honda.ca, exactly the description there.
My wife is just 5' and worry about the width and rear view. But she say she can drive the Pilot better than our (going to trade-in) Volvo 850 wagon, as the front is shorter (kind of), and sit higher.
You know, if you like it, nothing can stop you. But the backup view is a problem, so the backup sensor is a must, if not Pilot has this snesor as option, we would look for something else.
At least for now, we do not have the RES model.
The Nissan is a nice car.
If it has 3rd row seat and this good price, I will switch in no time.
What we miss is the moonroof,upgrade leather, tilt-down mirrow. The rest we can pass.
The moon roof alone may cost close to $1,800 already. And we like the Gold color. With no discount and no car till July production date, we regretfully passed it on.
A reminder $5,000 + 15% tax = $5,750, and most Acura parts are more expensive than Honda parts (?).
If you have the spare $, and time to wait, MDX is my choice.
Canadians get a superior deal to what we in the U.S. get. Here, the difference between a Pilot EX-L and an MDX Base is US$4,220. To go to the MDX Touring is another US$2,600.
Contrast that to the Canadian market where only MDX Tourings are sold (though without nav), and your price difference favors the MDX more, IMHO.
By the way, MDX Tourings also have better tires than the MDX Base/Pilot (Michelin Cross Terrains, really excellent tires for crossover vehicles).
Canadian Pilots also get heated seats that we don't get here.
While it might seem unfair to charge someone close to the Alliston plant the same as someone on either coast, it is probably offset by the fact that cars imported from Japan which go through Vancouver and cars imported from Europe which go through Halifax bear identical freight charges from one end of the country to the other. While no one likes to pay more for their vehicle than necessary, I can understand the logic of Honda's policy.
Push the tripometer button a couple times and there it is. I ended up showing my dealer where it was when I took my test drive.
One standardized price is so much easier. The logistics company comes up with a price that I'm sure allows it to make a profit.
I hope they offer that in the "colonies" that's what my wife wants.
Interesting idea! But then, if you had those mental capabilities you might not need a phone to begin with! ;-)
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I wish you hadn't said that! (Reminds me of the rat with a computer chip connected to its brain...)
Now I have this vision of wires running out of a driver's skull and connected with a trailing extension cord to the shrink's office! <GASP!>
Good thing we're close to the weekend!
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I thought, from the picture, it was a STAND that was shaped like a tooth and a normal sized phone was lodged in the middle for decoration.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories