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2016 Honda Pilot - Initial Impression,
tarunkalra1
Member Posts: 10
I test drove a 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L Model today Jun 18, 2016.
The following were my impressions
1.I like the new looks vs boxy look of the 2015 and prior models.
2. The vehicle does NOT look large from outside but has ample room even in the 3rd row. Even the 3rd row could comfortably accommodate 2 adults.
3. The engine seemed to have ample power, it accelerated well from stop and rode well on freeway
4. The information display screen was large with touch screen controls for stereo, navigation and lot of other applications.
5. The vehicle comes in 2WD and AWD and the 25+ MPG is impressive.
I would rate it as EXCELLENT
The following were my impressions
1.I like the new looks vs boxy look of the 2015 and prior models.
2. The vehicle does NOT look large from outside but has ample room even in the 3rd row. Even the 3rd row could comfortably accommodate 2 adults.
3. The engine seemed to have ample power, it accelerated well from stop and rode well on freeway
4. The information display screen was large with touch screen controls for stereo, navigation and lot of other applications.
5. The vehicle comes in 2WD and AWD and the 25+ MPG is impressive.
I would rate it as EXCELLENT
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Comments
First Impression: it definitely DOES NOT look anything like the Pilot of old. It more closely resembles the smooth, aerodynamic lines of the Pathfinder and Traverse; but not as stylish and "cool" as the Durango exterior (all three are other SUVs we are shopping).
1. The interior is very spacious and comfortable. I rode in both the front passenger seat as well as the middle row. I am 6'2" on a good day, and usually have issues sitting in most back seats. Not this one. I could comfortably ride for long distances in the second row. The Elite's second row captains chairs are nice; something that should be offered on the lower tiered Pilots (why not Honda!?!?). Our kids rode in the third row and had plenty of room. We did not like the rear entertainment system as it only has one roof mounted screen - an easy fix with the dealership's aftermarket book...we can get replacement headrests with separate DVD/Blue Ray/LED players for close to what the stock RES package costs. Added bonus with that option is you can take the headrests with you when you move on to another Pilot in a few years.
3. Quality of the interior is impressive. The leather is soft and comfy while driving; being in Texas, the vented front seats were very nice (something I haven't seen in anything "affordable" outside of our KIA Sorento SX). I really like the large touch screen. It almost looks like an iPad turned sideways and seemed to work well during the thirty minutes we spent with it. The Elite has a TON of added techno gadgets and doohickeys; fun to play with and learn about; however, not something I absolutely need. I think the Touring would be just as nice.
3. The drive was quite nice. The new Pilot is much quieter than any vehicle I have owned, and handles like our smaller Sorento on both city streets and in parking lots. It provides a very smooth ride, especially during highway driving. The on/off engine feature took some getting used to....while idle, the vehicle simply turns off the engine and re-engages when your foot comes off the break; an interesting little feature to help improve gas mileage. It reminded me of some Hybrid vehicles I have driven. The lane departure alert system is different. You can actually feel the steering wheel "correct" itself if the computer sees you getting too close to the lines. Even with all the fancy blind spot sensors and radar, I feel the need to look over my shoulder when changing lanes. I wish the Elite had the same side mirror cameras that the EX-L and Touring have. I actually like the cameras better than the Elite's sensor system. Back up camera is pretty cool as it has three features; a wide angle is all around great and provides a robust view of everything to the side and rear of you (a little bit like looking out a peep hole in your front door, but better), a narrower angle that shows directly behind the vehicle, and a downward pointing angle that allows you see what you just ran over. LOL
All in all, my family and I really like the new Pilot. At an average price of 47k, the Elite is the most expensive vehicle Honda has ever put on the market, and on the higher end of it's class. It still competes well with the SUVs in it's class when you consider all of it's "standard" features and the Honda reputation for quality. Hopefully, people won't have as many problems with it as they typically do when a new version hits the market (looking at you POS lemon 2008 Acadia we had a few years ago). The biggest issue right now is the fact that most dealerships have one or two for customers to look at - and zero 2015s to drive. They started trickling in this past week and you won't likely find a fully stocked lot until sometime mid-fall. Bummer. Good luck getting your hands on one before the end of July.
The only way I could possibly purchase one of these is if they give me the option of real, comfortable front seats complete with a real center console to rest my right arm on (instead of the current flimsy van armrest. then I could ignore all the van stuff behind me.
If you want a better, more powerful Odyessy, this is for you. If you want a Pilot you will be disappointed!
Plus there's AWD available.
So the kids are 11 & 12 and along with Mom and Dad we all want to get out of the Mini-van and modernize our look. We LOVED the Odyssey and think the new redesign of the Pilot has great lines and it is a Honda. So the comments about nothing more than a supped up Odyssey does not bother me and where we live in New England the AWD is great option.
Plonking all these 40 and more grands for the Elite, you will be better off putting the same money on the Accura MDX and have a higher bragging rights .
I would go for MDX anyday then a higher-end Pilot.
Pilot is ok upto EX-L trim, after that a Accura MDX makes more sense.
Compare lease rates of Elite and the MDX with equivalent options . I would still go for MDX as it is a tried and tested model and very popular , whereas Elite is a new model with many unknown kinks not yet ironed out. Test drive both and decide which is better.
A Lexus would be any day better then a top of the line Camry. Accura is to Honda what Lexus is to Camry.
I don't think Honda will have any problem moving every Pilot they can make.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
Agreed because there are many more dumb buyers then smart buyers, almost 10 : 1 ratio.
When Pilot was first introduced, it became a cult car and people were spotting them like excited kids and talking about it endlessly . The most ugly boxy contraption ever seen apart from the truck like 'genuine' SUVs like Toyota 4Runner.
We were at the dealership last night and they had a LONG list of excuses of why they're not negotiating price. Additionally, every dealership is adding accessories bringing to the actual price $2k above msrp and they won't give you the option of removing them. Comical thing is people are overpaying for them without even realizing they're throwing thousands more away the second they drive it off the lot.
We love the Pilot despite its feel of cheap accents but there's no way we're gonna pay msrp. Based on the other posts from people that have already bought one, they're already having problems with the door locks. No thank you Honda. Situations like this made us realize why we always buy Acura.
2016 Honda Pilot Long-Term Road Test - Introduction
Minivans are disparaged as "feminine" despite the fact that as people haulers they trump every SUV out there.
SUVs have only of late scraped back some utility and fuel economy by abandoning the body on frame design and adopting the unibody and FWD of minivans.
Marketers are acutely aware of the masculine egos and style their SUV/Crossovers to look rugged and "Manly" despite the fact that the most intense environment they will usually encounter in their life a is a car wash.
If you really have "manly" jobs to do with your vehicle buy a commercial van or a pickup. Don't complain that your leather covered SUV is a minivan. Heck, they all are.
Odie