Cargo Space on New Pilot

[Naguabo]

My first trip to the airport and what a disappointment with the cargo space when you using the third seat. The space will not accommodate three regular suitcases. Later on, a trip to the beach and a regular cooler will not fit into the cargo space. I ending purchasing an aluminum hitch cargo rack, what a great tool and I highly recommend one to anyone looking for additional cargo space and forget the roof rack. Now I regretted it my decision, in purchasing the Honda over, Toyota Seqo.

So far the accommodations of 8 people was find and great, driving has been great. Gas mileage cannot complain is not the best but I will not compromise safety over gas.

[rocky]

Guess you have buyers remorse. Sounds like you didn't check out the vehicles properly before committing your cash

[abgiles]

The Toyota Sequo would have killed you in gas though. I had one with 5.7, and the gas mileage was MISERABLE!! We also use the cargo rack on the back, and have no problems. Just did 3128 miles a few weeks ago with the wife's 2007, just before trading it in for a 2010. No regrets here!

[phil1995]

Good lord, its an SUV, not a bus!!!

[theirishscion]

Originally Posted by abgiles

The Toyota Sequo would have killed you in gas though. I had one with 5.7, and the gas mileage was MISERABLE!! We also use the cargo rack on the back, and have no problems. Just did 3128 miles a few weeks ago with the wife's 2007, just before trading it in for a 2010. No regrets here!

I cross-shopped Sequoias hard before I bought my pilot, I have a soft spot for Toyota trucks. They are a totally different size class though. Sequoia plays with Expedition and Suburban. Not really fair to compare it. Lots and lots of lovely space but according to my friend who drives one, just brutal on fuel. The Pilot is no gas sipper but that lovely V8 in the Sequoia will just wreck your gas budget. Now if they'd release one with a 6 cylinder diesel, I'd be all over it.

In not wholly unrelated news, I hauled 8 people (5 adults, 3 kids) 250 miles round trip today to do a photo shoot (all the gear packed behind the 3rd row, it was tight but doable) with my wife in the 3rd row along with 2 of the kids. I don't usually fill to capacity like that but I have to say, it actually makes a surprisingly acceptable bus. Got ~20mpg through the Texas hill country at 70-75mph, and spent 2.5 hours idling in the middle of the day, providing AC respite for the kids as we were setting up. All in all quite an excellent vehicle for that sort of task. Scratched the clear coat a little getting to the site, but with luck I can buff it out with a bit of care.

The weekend before, I was hauling a fractionally less full load up a 1 in 3 rock and gravel driveway, and she didn't bat an eyelid there, either. I took the opportunity to experiment a little with using VTM-4 lock as well, the net result of which was that for this sort of driving, it's unnecessary. Progress was identical with and without. Putting the transmission in first gear did help a bit though.

[cwa107]

So... let me get this straight. You went out and spent somewhere along the lines of $30-40K on a new vehicle, but never bothered to put the third row up to see what kind of cargo capacity was there? Sounds like less of an issue with the vehicle and more of a problem of educating yourself prior to parting with your hard-earned cash.

As others have said, the Pilot doesn't compete in the class of truck-based SUVs like the Sequoia and Expedition. It's a minivan in SUV clothes with some light-duty off-road and foul weather capability. If that isn't what you needed, you shouldn't be blaming the vehicle for what was ultimately a poor choice on your part.

[Arizonaadam]

The hitch rack is a great idea! The pilot is a compromise. If you usually carry 8 people plus their gear you should consider a chevy or ford 15-passanger van.