Diesel Pilot... Any Takers

[Johnjk]

If Honda offered a diesel for the Pilot, would you get it?

I've found a bunch of older news articles on how Honda was going to have a 6cyl diesel available for 2010 in the US. It's now 2011 so where is it? They claim their current 4cyl diesel offered in the EU can't pass smog and emissions for California and the East Coast.

I'd love to see the numbers on a diesel Pilot and possibly be able to do an aftermarket performance upgrade (Bully Dog....)

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by Johnjk

If Honda offered a diesel for the Pilot, would you get it?

I've found a bunch of older news articles on how Honda was going to have a 6cyl diesel available for 2010 in the US. It's now 2011 so where is it? They claim their current 4cyl diesel offered in the EU can't pass smog and emissions for California and the East Coast.

I'd love to see the numbers on a diesel Pilot and possibly be able to do an aftermarket performance upgrade (Bully Dog....)

Their entire clean diesel program was cancelled. They claim they could not cost effectively offer it.

Diesel prices fluctuate quite a bit in relation to regular gas. Right now in our area, diesel cost is 15% higher than gas. The typical mpg increase is 30% with a Diesel. Also, the diesel engine premium can be anywhere from $2K - $4K (Honda had already determined it would be on the high side). Take all that into account and break even right now is around 100K miles. It has been that way for a while now even though the prices fluctuate.

The huge torque increase would be welcome, though. My poll choice would be a gas V6 with greater low end torque as standard equipment.

[rocky]

As JLSS says, diesel's economics are questionable. Take the VW jetta tdi v gasser and you are looking at an 9 year payback.

To improve Pilot MPG, it needs to loose a ton of weight (well lets start with 500lbs).

[Johnjk]

All good points. Diesel this morning was 3.25 vs 3.19 for reg unleaded at a local Marathon station. Figure the sticker economy of 22 for gas, and a 30% increase for diesel makes it 28.6mpg. Average over a year, say 15K miles you'd buy 524.5 gal of diesel vs 681.8 gal of gas so at 3.30/gal for diesel and 3.20 for gas you are looking at a fuel cost of 1731 to 2182 respectively or an 8yr payback for a 4k option. How many people are keeping their Pilots 10+yrs to really make this pay?

I'm all for reducing weight in the Pilot. How about removing the 3rd row seats and replacing with a cover for additional storage, or composite panels for non structural areas (fenders, hood, lift gate, doors)? The metal's not all that thick now, so I don't know how much weight would really be saved.

[thecaptain]

Well, Mazda appears to be banging out the 5, CX 7 and CX9 in diesel options.

Maybe Honda may get the message and either pop in that low end torque or kick into alternative Energy mode. (diesel et al.)

[osudelt69]

Diseal or small v8 with ability to tow 6500 lbs. That would be our next vehicle. I want to be able to tow a 22ft fiberglass boat with gear and family

[N_Jay]

If you look at the MB GL, the people who tow like the smaller diesel V6 over the 4 liter gas V8.

[osudelt69]

Not a fan of mb gl. Next vehicle will be land rover lr3 or lr4.
Great space utilization like the pilot but will tow 7000 lbs

[osudelt69]

Not a fan of mb gl. Next vehicle will be land rover lr3 or lr4.
Great space utilization like the pilot but will tow 7000 lbs. Honda please step up your game!

[N_Jay]

What about the GL do you not like.

Our Pilot replaced a '91 Range Rover.

[osudelt69]

Lot of things lol. New car price, interior space seemed crampped and exterior style is not my cup of tea. Didn't drive one, being a Mercedes I'm sure it drives very nice. Brother has a slk 230 it drives extremely nice and is built like a tank.

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by osudelt69

Not a fan of mb gl. Next vehicle will be land rover lr3 or lr4.
Great space utilization like the pilot but will tow 7000 lbs. Honda please step up your game!

And the good news is that LR ins't at the bottom of the reliability charts anymore since being purchased by Tata. Although near the bottom, there is marked improvement shown from 2008 to 2011:

[osudelt69]

Originally Posted by jl_ss

And the good news is that LR ins't at the bottom of the reliability charts anymore since being purchased by Tata. Although near the bottom, there is marked improvement shown from 2008 to 2011:

Would be a new pilot but towing is a concern. The wife narrowed a long list down to land rover and we ALL know when moms not happy....

Plus side lr3 is very very nice. Haven't driven lr4 yet but expect same. Like I said Honda give me better towing capacity andi will buy another new pilot. We bought or 04 new in dec.04 and its been rock solid all 142k miles.

[osudelt69]

We have a few years left for Honda to a v8 option. Pilot is now our third car. Wife drives 08 Volkswagen 4dr golf and I have an 06 saab 9-3

[PSPilot]

as a new pilot owner and 2 year owner of Ridgeline. I only dream of a diesel for either or. I dont know why americans are so anti diesel. Yeah honda needs to go on a diet. get better trany and option of more motors. One a diesel. the MPGs of a 4 bangger and towing of big V6. whats not to like?
you look at any cars in EU or S. America, Australia they all want/preffer diesel.