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Comments
Thanks.
The Side Steps help my 3 year old get in and out. I also thought they added a bit of a sporty look.
I wont get get it for 2 months
Road Test: 2003 Honda Pilot
Steve, Host
My almost year long hunt for a midsize 30k-40k SUV is over: I bought a Honda Pilot yesterday.
I've researched and looked at these fine vehicles, Aviator, MDX, Mountaineer, Murano, Pilot, and XC90. Among them, I test drove Mountaineer, Murano and Pilot. Here's my run down.
1. Mountaineer V8/AWD/Premier w/ RES, MSRP $38400, can be had for under 31k. It actually represents the best value in these group, with A-plan and hefty incentive. It has been my fallback and bargaining chip all along. The questionable quality/reliability and the fact I found a Pilot at a lower price did it in.
2. Murano SL/AWD w/ Premium/Sunroof/Leather, no DVD, MSRP $34300, almost bought it at $31500. This is the sport car of the bunch. If not for my wife's objection of the styling (I'm not too warm to that either), It would have been my Thanksgiving present.
3. Pilot EX-L RES, MSRP $32480, bought it at $30480. This is the plain Jane of the group. It lacks a lot of safety/luxury features found on others, but it has great balance and Honda quality. When I found one at this bargaining price, the decision was easy.
Among the three I haven't test driven, here is my observation,
4. MDX Touring w/ RES, MSRP $40300. I did not like MDX's styling coming in, but it is like THE benchmark for this class, I had to include it. It's good at everything, has a lot of stuff than the Pilot. In the end, I still don't like its look, plus the MSRP pricing.
5. Aviator AWD/Luxury, w/o RES, MSRP $43000. If Murano is the sport car of the group, Aviator is the luxury sport sedan. It does everything very well, speed/handling/NVH/safety/luxury, you name it. When Ford announced its price back in summer, I knew I am not in their target demographics. After a long long wait, when it is finally available after Thanksgiving, I resisted the temptation of test-driving it. Even with A-plan (around 38k), it is still too rich for me. Had Ford extended the 0% for 60month deal to Aviator, it would have been a totally different story.
6. XC90, T6 AWD w/ options, MSRP well over 40k. This is THE safest SUV, at any price, and a good looking one, too. Again, it's the price. No aplan, no deal.
In my book, there are no losers among them. Each vehicle brings a lot to the table, at their respective price. My decision was constantly changing, had to make a lot of compromises among sportiness/utility/luxury and of course my wallet.
Overall, the Pilot is boring to look at. Kind of looks like a big version of the old CRV. The new CRV looks better in my opinion.
Here are some specific things that stand out:
- The front end styling does not match the rest of the body.
- The headlights are swept back, but the rest of the body is squared off.
- I don't like the boxiness of the passenger compartment, especially the rear. (I know it makes for more interior space).
- The grill is boring.
- I don't like those plastic grey bumper claddings on the front and rear.
- It would look better with blacked out D pillars.
- One interior thing I don't like are the front seat headrests.
If it weren't for the boring styling, I would have seriously considered buying the Pilot, but I guess most people can look past the plain styling and look at the overall package.
Are you single? Under age 35? Then sporty and head turning looks are what you want.
If you're married w/ family or growing family "boring" is the tradeoff for practicality.
Then again it is all about your personal preference. For me, the Pilot is certainly not sporty and I don't consider it boring but I do find it appealing.
Cheers
Pat
-mike
One trick to improve your local milage -- drive it at or above 48mph as much as possible. The 4th to 5th upshift happens between 45-47mph in light acceleration. The difference, in 4th, 45mph@2000rpm, in 5th, 62mph@2000rpm, that's more than 33% more miles at slight more fuel.
Does anybody know the gear ratios of the 5spd. transmission? If it's in the own manual, please tell me the page number, thanks.
I did experiment with some steep hill climbs with the VTM-4 Lock engaged and disengaged. Without it locked, my line was straight and more controlled. With it locked, pronounced fish-tailing. But, there were a couple of hills that I couldn't get up at all without locking the VTM-4. I guess, like the owner's manual says, use the VTM-4 Lock when you are stuck or about to get stuck.
I posted two pictures on the Pilot Photo Gallery of the snow I was driving in. The second picture shows the limit of deep snow that can be negotiated, notice the little wall under my license plate. This snow was wet and heavy, if you had dry cold powder, you'd do a lot better.
-Pete
-mike
I would like to buy a Pilot and hope a few improvements made before I do.
MDX styling is much better so I know Honda can do better--I just think they didn't want to compete with MDX sales.
Short-run improvements:
1. Offer larger wheels--makes any truck look better
2. More color options--take a look at Ford and Chevy
3. Consider adding black 2-tone paint as was noted on the Pilot in the Canada auto show.
Longer-term improvements:
1. Better grill.
2. Make it look slightly more aggressive, like an 'SUV' for example.
Sorry to be styling-oriented but I feel that's the 1 thing Honda didn't quite do for an otherwise great SUV. Besides, the things so reliable I'll likely be driving it for the next 15 years.
1. How does the lumbar support work? More support in vertical or horizontal lever position? I can't feel a difference and there doesn't seem to any information in my owners manual.
2. Are the fins in your radiator getting damaged from bugs and stones flying into them? There doesn't seem to be much protection from the Pilot grill compared to other vehicles. I wonder about the long term affects from the bent fins.
Thanks
We're comparing a Highlander, Passat wagon and Pilot. I'm really leaning toward the Pilot at this moment. Have had four Hondas and not one problem. Still on the fence though . . . decisions, decisions, decisions.
1) I have a lower back problem. How truly supportive are the cloth seats on long trips? How much fatigue?
2) Why no D4 position on the shift selector for towing in moderately hilly terrain? I test towed my 1000 lb boat with one and transmission kicks down a lot.
Any experience out there on these two issues?
Mike
-mike
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
Also, in Canada, for LESS than the price of a base Pilot, you can get the SL which includes the CVT, dual-zone climate control, 225-watt Bose with 6-Cd changer and cassette, head curtain airbags, auto-dimming mirror with compass, leather-wrapped steering wheel, key-operated power windows, the aforementioned 18" alloys. Pretty impressive list of standard equipment. The CVT may be the wild card in terms of driveability and reliability.
IMO, the exterior styling is no worse than the RX300 -- both try to be unconventional, to "break the mould". I'm actually lukewarm towards the interior. Certainly don't like the lack of a proper handbrake for what is really a "sport activity vehicle" in much the same vein as the X5.
We nixed two cars because of exterior styling, so that's pretty important to us (cough, wife, cough).
Besides, if you use the stuff Nissan says, you don't have to worry if they will honor the warranty -- use whatever you feel like and then you have some questions as to who is REALLY at fault...
Ppower
Steve, Host
Purchased: 7-3-02
Paid: MSRP
Current Mileage: 6900
Options added: Running Boards, fog lights
Major Problems: None
Minor problems: Windshield fluid leak (resolved).
Overall impression : Love it. Would definitly buy another if mine was totaled or stolen. Handled great in the Thanksgiving snowstorm. Excellent ride, great family vehicle (3 kids). Safe.
No wonder Edmunds rated it most wanted, as did Consumers Reports.
Dealer says transmitters dont come with LX, only EX. Did any LX buyers get the transmitters? I can't believe Honda's gonna make me pay extra for this - something that'll remind me off how I got ripped of EVERY time I get in and get out of the car. Not the best item to charge extra for. It's bad enough that I gotta pay $145 for the cargo cover!!!!!
TRIM-LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS
LX | Starting at $26,900.00
The all-new Pilot, designed and built by Honda, is the perfect SUV to get you to your outdoor adventure with style and comfort. The standard 240-hp VTEC® V-6 engine and Variable Torque Management 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4®) provide all the power and agility you'll need, plus up to 4,500 lbs of towing capacity when properly equipped. 4-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), a 4-wheel independent suspension and 16-inch wheels ensure a supple ride on or off road. And convenience features like power windows and door locks, front and rear air conditioning and cruise control guarantee that you won't be completely roughing it.
EX | Starting at $29,270.00
For that extra bit of refinement, the Pilot EX is the sure choice. It adds a synchronized front and rear automatic climate control system, upgraded interior fabric, an AM/FM/Cassette/CD audio system with 7 speakers (including subwoofer) and the HomeLink® remote system. A security system with remote entry helps to keep your Pilot safe, and roof rails and 16-inch alloy wheels add style to an already good-looking SUV.