Why Pilot Looks Smaller Even Though It Is Similar Dimensions.

[mike277090]

Does the Pilot look abnormally small vs. its actual dimensions to anybody else? I currently have a 2002 4-Runner and am looking to get a Pilot to replace it. The inside dimensions of the Pilot are larger than the 4-Runner and the exteriors are basically similar, but for the life of me the Pilot just looks small. Conflict of believing my eyes vs. the #'s.

[colorider]

Originally posted by mike277090
Does the Pilot look abnormally small vs. its actual dimensions to anybody else? I currently have a 2002 4-Runner and am looking to get a Pilot to replace it. The inside dimensions of the Pilot are larger than the 4-Runner and the exteriors are basically similar, but for the life of me the Pilot just looks small. Conflict of believing my eyes vs. the #'s.

It's the width that makes much of the difference. Look at a Pilot and the 4Runner side-by-side from either the front or rear and you will see quite a difference.

Oh - yes, welcome to the board!

[mike277090]

I just went back and checked and the Pilot is 4" taller, 10" wider, 5 " longer, track 7" wider, and wheelbase 1" longer. Still makes me nervous though.

[colorider]

Originally posted by mike277090
I just went back and checked and the Pilot is 4" taller, 10" wider, 5 " longer, track 7" wider, and wheelbase 1" longer. Still makes me nervous though.

Makes you "nervous" why? They are quite easy to drive - and according to Mrs. Colorider - not the least bit intimidating.

[mike277090]

I didn't mean nervous to drive. I meant that I carry a lot of cargo and need the cargo capacity. The #'s tell me the Pilot has more capacity than my current 4-Runner, but my brain says it just looks smaller to me.

[elbert]

Originally posted by mike277090
I didn't mean nervous to drive. I meant that I carry a lot of cargo and need the cargo capacity. The #'s tell me the Pilot has more capacity than my current 4-Runner, but my brain says it just looks smaller to me.

Then take some cargo in your 4runner to a Honda dealership and see how it looks in the Pilot.

[Scoobs]

I switch back and forth between the two regularly. Where I really notice the difference is the additional headroom in the Pilot and the bigger windshield. Getting in the Pilot seems like getting behind the wheel in a scenic cruiser compared to the 4Runner. My wife says the view behind the wheel in the 4Runner feels like driving a tank compared to the Pilot. I'm not sure how she knows what that feels like?
Suffice to say when I switch from the 4Runner to the Pilot I do not feel like I am driving a bigger vehicle. I find both of them very easy vehicles to drive.

Back when I got the 4Runner I said that it looked bigger than it actually is. The Pilot on the other hand looks smaller than it actually is.

You can fit more stuff in the back of the Pilot than in the 4Runner. I'm speaking from experience here.

The step up into the 4Runner is higher than in the Pilot but the seat cushions in both vehicles are at about the same height, at least that's the way it worked out for me.

[waynerd]

I thought the Pilot looked smaller, too, but it'll haul a bunch more stuff in the back than my old Exploder used to. It's looks ARE deceiving! Plus, there are more "nooks and crannies" like the headrest storage compartment in the rear....I put the headrests in the basement (never use 3rd row) and store my emergency supplies like jumper cables, gloves, first aid kit etc. back there. I always needed a box for them in my Exploder.

I wasn't impressed with the 4-runner's interior room because in was so narrow, plus a high lift height. I don't remember about storage compartments. The step-up was MUCH higher for the 4-runner and the design of the side rear windows caused a blind spot.

Take a Pilot for a test and see for yourself. You'll get a better ride, to boot!

[74PILOTMOM]

Crazy isn't it? The Pilot does an optical illusion. You see it on paper, it looks like a CR-V. Park next to one, you know it's not even close.
Get inside the Pilot and she's magically transformed. My friend has a Yukon, that feels no bigger inside. Driving it, is the big difference. The Pilot really drives like a small car. Not intimidating at all.
I still remember my first test drive, I was terrified. As soon as I started driving I realized I could easily get used to it, and quickly fell in love Parking is a liiiiiiitle tricky at first. Will I fit? Will I fit?

[aeubank]

The size of the Pilot is one of the best selling points of it. It's not too small (or narrow) like you may find in a Pathfinder or 4-Runner. And has a comfortable ride that the other competition can only dream of. It's got room for 8 and the third row is not optional (like the 4-runner). You get more cargo space, better upright feel, better ride, and (oops I forgot), better resale..

There's a ton of things to like about the Pilot. Now with 2005 with the vehicle stability control, sunroof standard, and basically the same sales price (plus - minus), puts the Pilot at a very competitive price point. The features of the Pilot CANNOT be obtained for under 35k from the likes of 4-runner, Pathfinder, Grand Cherokee, Durango, Trailblazer, Exploder, Yukon, Expedition.

And if they put the variable cylinder mgmt, and possibly a blockbuster like the hybrid Accord V6 (40 MPG!!) in the 2006 model, Honda will have a hard time keeping units in stock. The Pilot is already the value leader in it's class, imagine what Honda could do if it wanted..

Scary to have all of the best cards..

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by mike277090
Does the Pilot look abnormally small vs. its actual dimensions to anybody else? I currently have a 2002 4-Runner and am looking to get a Pilot to replace it. The inside dimensions of the Pilot are larger than the 4-Runner and the exteriors are basically similar, but for the life of me the Pilot just looks small. Conflict of believing my eyes vs. the #'s.

Just go sit in a Pilot and you'll see. My sister-in-law has the same truck and when I drove it once, I couldn't believe just how cramped and small it was inside compared to my Pilot.

[PNW-Pilot]

I think it's the design, the 4 runner is based on the tacoma truck, and the sheet metal looks more chiseled, the Pilot more sculpted. I think that relays into a big tough truck vs a people mover,and that is what is making it smaller in your head.

A co worker has a mid 90's 4 runner, and when I see it alone it looks big, park it next to the pilot, and it's a "wee little thing". The numbers don't lie your head just wants to translate the size of the 4runner.

Like others say, take your car down to the dealer and check it out. I think the highlander is bigger then the pilot every time I see it, and then I'm reminded how cramped that cabin was when I drove it. I think jay has mentioned this several times.

Edit: I haven't measured it to confirm it, but I think that the Pilot is the exact same length (+- a few inches) as my 2002 Acura TL. The pilot looks huge and the Acura looks small. But size is misleading.

[74PILOTMOM]

I think it's the proportions too. The pug nose and large windows of the Pilot visually shrink it too.
It's the 188 inches long, where as the Accord is 190. Wow. Amazing designers.

[vellinga]

.....and if either vehicle runs short on interior hauling room, then toss a Thule/Yakima rooftop box on and you have an extra 16+ cubic feet of storage.

[PNW-Pilot]

Originally posted by 74PILOTMOM
I think it's the proportions too. The pug nose and large windows of the Pilot visually shrink it too.
It's the 188 inches long, where as the Accord is 190. Wow. Amazing designers.

Then I wasn't mistaken. I thought at some point the TL was just as long in the garage as the Pilot. Thanks to "no trunk" the pilot has tons more space inside.

I think you might have it there, the hood amount might be just what makes it look smaller then the 4runner, which I think has more hood, so it can fit the v8.