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Comments
Re: Irdjeffrey about ordering in advance: whenever I have done it locally, most dealers will write an order locking them in at MSRP.
Re; Canadiancl and Honda Stereos (which ARE generally poor), the only exception is the ACURA line- where for example the MDX touring edition comes with an excellent BOSE system.
Regarding the exterior: Yep, the wide, angular headlights and slanted grill do resemble the 1st gen CR-V. I think that the stance will set it apart though. If the drawings posted earlier are similarly acurate, then the back end will look very different than the CR-V's.
IMHO, space behind the third row looks to be about the same as the MDX. Though, I recently read a report stating that the Pilot would have smaller dimensions than the MDX. That's a direct contradiction to everything else we've seen.
tidester
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SUVs
varmit, is this the news item you were reading? From a new Zealand website called Stuff:
"Though it shares platforms with the upscale Acura MDX, the new Honda ute will be smaller on the outside yet roomier on the inside, with lots more storage."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,1056852a30,FF.html
http://iafrica.com/highlife/hislife/
CanadianCL - The HIDs look nice, but I'm more concerned with ergonomics. =D
Thanks in advance
Maxamillion
http://www.hondanews.com/forms/images/index.html
Also has RSX concept photos.
It appears that one .org'er was right, that the "eight passenger" seating is just putting a third headrest in the third row, and splitting it 66/33, and saying you can put three kids there. It looks no wider than the MDX third row, assuming the vehicle is the same width. The third row is like the MDX's, not the magic seat in the Odyssey (which of course is impractical to do with the MDX/Pilot design).
There are no visible top tether anchor points for the third row, possibly because they aren't in the prototype. There are three for the second row however.
Note lack of sunroof in one photo (the one with the entertainment system).
The shifter is on the steering wheel column.
Styling is way conservative, kind of a big CR-V with Highlander elements (e.g. the upright tailgate).
Don't know if the prototype is a full-sized because the photos don't show any additional room beyond the MDX, at least from what I can tell.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_033046
Lexus GX 470
http://www.wieck.com/public/*2PV_033120
TONS of new auto show photos on this Wieck site!
http://www.wieck.com/public/index.html
Bob
http://autoshow2002.carpoint.msn.com/ArticlesHonda.aspx
True to their conservative styling but definitely will turn heads when people see a "big" Honda SUV rolling down the road.
I like almost every aspect of the Pilot from the rear seating setup all the way to the 5-speed auto.
I sometimes wonder if Honda isn't shooting themselves in the foot by offering the Pilot and the Acura MDX. I'll assume that the Pilot will be prices well lower of the MDX and therefore may turn some folks who may want a more practical, less expensive alternative toward the Pilot.
I'm sure the Pilot will definitely trounce the Toyota Highlander in bang for the buck!
http://www.hondanews.com/forms/events/index.html?kw=pilot
wmquan that the 3rd seat appears to be the same width as the MDX 3rd seat, but with 3 headrests instead of 2. Again, I will try to see more when I see the Pilot in the flesh next Sat.
Third row looks small, but I was expecting that. The vertical rear end makes for more cargo space, but the door will swing farther back when opening. I'll have to reserve judgement on the dash. I would have liked to have seen the large and simple three dial HVAC setup that is in the new CR-V. NO MANUAL!!
Agree with Shellymeister' assessment of the front end. It does look longer, but I think that's an illusion. The lower (and flat-faced) headlights allow for a longer hood line.
also the actual vehicle should be 5-7 inches longer than the prototype. YES!! more 3rd row leg room!
It seems more off-road capable than the Highlander, but less off-road capable than the TrailBlazer, and other "traditional" mid-size SUVs. Same comment about towing: For a mid-size SUV, its towing is borderline.
The reason I point this out, the Pilot will compete for traditional SUV customers, as well as Highlander-like customers. There are many mid-size SUV owners who *do* need or want true off-road and good trailering capabilities, and the Pilot may not be right for them. Say what you will about the outgoing Passport, but at least it had a low range and was more off-road-worthy.
Bob
I would expect that the MDX will receive some kind of power upgrade (more hp or maybe a V-8 from the upcoming Legend) in the next year or two to differentiate it from the Pilot.
Personally, I'd rather have a Pilot for several reasons. One, I can afford one and two, it will likely have more cargo space.
And, you're right, if people are looking for a vehicle that will tow more and have more capable off-road performance, then they'll likely NOT buy a Pilot. But for folks who are transitioning from, say, a CR-V or want something with a little different from a minivan (i.e. Odyssey) this will present a great alternative for this segment.
And regarding the Rodeo, er, Passport. I say good riddance. I was an unfortunate owner of a '98 Rodeo and will never buy it or a rebadged one EVER again regardless that it could boulder hop or whatever. Not much fun when it's in the shop more often than on the road, IMHO.
Bob
The Marketing folks at Honda are deeming it as the "Ultimate Family Adventure Vehicle." Stressing points like a place for children's crayons. That's all marketing speak, of course.
I believe that its price range will be from $28k to $33k. I do not believe that Honda has to price it lower than the competition for it to be successful because it compares favorably in many areas (though not all). There is no mention of a 2WD version or a smaller engine option, so there won't be a $25k variant to do battle with 4-cylinder or 2WD variants of the competition (e.g. Highlander).
The rumor mill has it that the 2003 MDX will be improved with possibly a larger engine and xenons, and perhaps more. Honda can easily price the "EX" version of the Pilot high and not worry about the MDX because they can discontinue the base version of the MDX.
Unfortunately, the Pilot will probably sell for MSRP for a while (a year?) after its introduction, making its actual selling price more than its competitors which are dealing up from invoice.
Honda is more tight-lipped than the average manufacter and details like pricing probably won't be known until very late. The pricing on the MDX wasn't publicly known until less than a month before it actually hit showrooms.
I bet it's (much) longer than that, if the Odyssey is any indication.
Bob
There are plenty of nightmare stories about the Passport/Rodeo, but if you're friend enjoys it...great. That's all that matters when you think about it, right?
One question - the press release states that the Pilot will include "theatre-style seating". Does that mean the floor will be sticky and cluttered with empty popcorn boxes?
Ty
It should help a bit with the overhead DVD though.
MSRP will eventually end for the MDX and Pilot, it's just a matter of when. There is definitely a lot of competition out there. Unfortunately the MSRP or MSRP+ pricing brings out the worse in a lot of Acura and Honda dealers. I'm sure Odyssey owners have enough stories ...
Plus, there's not much point speculating about price gouging until they actually set the price!