Pilot vs. Jeep Commander

[forawesome]

So we're about to buy a family camping vehicle, and we've finally got our short list down to the Pilot and the Jeep Commander. Did anyone here consider the Commander, and if so, what made you choose the Pilot?

My thoughts: Objectively, the Pilot is the better vehicle in most respects (gas mileage, cargo room, etc.), but the Jeep has better off-road capabilities, a distinctive look (not for everyone, but I really like it), an interior more to my liking, and most importantly, steep, steep discounts. One local dealer is offering almost $9000 off, making a new 2007 Commander cheaper than the 2005 Pilot we are considering.

So, what is it about the Pilot that made you go with it instead of the Jeep?

Thanks in advance!

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by forawesome
So we're about to buy a family camping vehicle, and we've finally got our short list down to the Pilot and the Jeep Commander. Did anyone here consider the Commander, and if so, what made you choose the Pilot?

My thoughts: Objectively, the Pilot is the better vehicle in most respects (gas mileage, cargo room, etc.), but the Jeep has better off-road capabilities, a distinctive look (not for everyone, but I really like it), an interior more to my liking, and most importantly, steep, steep discounts. One local dealer is offering almost $9000 off, making a new 2007 Commander cheaper than the 2005 Pilot we are considering.

So, what is it about the Pilot that made you go with it instead of the Jeep?

Thanks in advance!

Reliability and mpg are two big reasons. Do you really need true off-road capabilities? They tend to compromise handling and ride. The high CG of the commander also compromises handling. What will the main purpose of the vehicle be? The $9000 savings now will even out in much lower resale value if you have to trade it.

[giwan1259]

Not sure what you mean by off-road. Most people don't need it, ie even heading into the woods of your cabin unless you are DAMN deep in the woods and then I wouldn't buy a new vehicle for that. I've had my Pilot off road many a time and never had a worry.

That 9K is one hell of a discount. I would consider how long you really plan on holding on to it.

[forawesome]

So, I found the thread about offroading in a Pilot here... and I had no idea what the Pilot can do! I'm really not going to be doing any 'true' offroading, but I will be using fire roads and the like to get to remote camping spots. But from what I've gathered on the offroading thread, the Pilot should be fine.

I plan to drive whatever I buy into the ground, so resale value isn't a major concern. But, that's also why I want to make sure to get something I will be happy with for a long time.

Right now, with 2 very small children, I think we really need the extra cargo space of the Pilot. And, if a trade becomes necessary, it will be much cheaper to trade the Pilot for a Commander than vice versa.

But, damn, I keep coming back to that $9K discount. That's just hard to pass up. Right now I'm leaning towards the Pilot, I'll report here when the decision is final. In the meantime, keep convincing me to check out the Pilot!

[2ndhonda]

I had a jeep commander V6 4X4 for 2.5 weeks while my pilot was getting the hood repainted. We went on a roadtrip in the jeep. 1200 miles in a V6 all highway. Average MPG: 16. I kid you not. the cars is +/- 700lbs heavier than the pilot, the rental we had, did not have a solid front axle. I will admit, i went through about 4inches of snow over a mountain pass and the jeep's "whatever you call it" system was flawless.
DO NOT GET THE V6. The Turbo diesel of the VW jetta is faster merging into traffic.

My wife hated the front passenger seat, seatbelt. It would constrain her on her hips where should couldn't readjust without pulling the belt so some slack was in it.

PROS: Suprisingly quiet at 75mph. We had 7 people in it at one time, although less headroom for back back seat. Ipod in on the dash was nice.

I think the hemi in it would be a different situation power wise.

Good luck

[giwan1259]

Well a lot depends on the details of what you are getting. Pilot has AWD the Jeep either nothing or 4wd. Engine size? Do you plan on towing if so how much and how far? I did a quick compare on Edmunds and saw the 2007 Pilot and 2007 Jeep at the same price but it depends which version and what you have on it.

[larryziegler]

Originally posted by forawesome
I plan to drive whatever I buy into the ground, so resale value isn't a major concern. But, that's also why I want to make sure to get something I will be happy with for a long time.

Right now, with 2 very small children, I think we really need the extra cargo space of the Pilot. And, if a trade becomes necessary, it will be much cheaper to trade the Pilot for a Commander than vice versa.

*whispering* Acadia....Acadia *ducking and running*

Buy a Honda and driving it into the ground means going 200,000-250,000 miles. Buy a Jeep and running it into the ground means 125,000 miles. Big difference!

If you need more room, you can always add a clamshell or rocketbox to the roof! Happy trails on whatever decision you decide to make.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by giwan1259
Well a lot depends on the details of what you are getting. Pilot has AWD the Jeep either nothing or 4wd. Engine size? Do you plan on towing if so how much and how far? I did a quick compare on Edmunds and saw the 2007 Pilot and 2007 Jeep at the same price but it depends which version and what you have on it.

The Commander offers full time 4wd as an option.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by 2ndhonda

I think the hemi in it would be a different situation power wise.

Good luck

But then you get gallons per mile not miles per gallon................

[Scoobs]

And Chrysler is seriously considering discontinuing the Commander due to slow sales.

[forawesome]

Well the decision has been made. I'm now the proud owner of...

...a 2005 Pilot EX in Sage Brush Pearl!

All around, the Pilot is just the more practical choice for our family. You can't always be practical, but when dropping in excess of 20 large, it's a good time to carefully consider all the pros and cons. And the Pilot just has so many pros...

I feel like I got a good deal on the Pilot, too, even if it took 4 1/2 hours at the dealership to finalize the deal.

Thanks for all the input!

[krygny]

Originally posted by forawesome
Well the decision has been made. I'm now the proud owner of...

...a 2005 Pilot EX in Sage Brush Pearl!

All around, the Pilot is just the more practical choice for our family. You can't always be practical, but when dropping in excess of 20 large, it's a good time to carefully consider all the pros and cons. And the Pilot just has so many pros...

I feel like I got a good deal on the Pilot, too, even if it took 4 1/2 hours at the dealership to finalize the deal.

Thanks for all the input!

Good choice. You'll be glad you made that decision. If most people would only test drive a full frame SUV next to a good crossover, they would realize there's no comparison in ride, comfort, handling, not to mention safety and gas economy (generally). My favorite was the 4-Runner, but I would still really, really need that extra beef to be willing to drive that vehicle every single day as opposed to the Pilot. If you really do need the durability of a full frame, by all means get it. But I know a lot of them are used as family cars.

[artspilot]

Originally posted by 2ndhonda
We went on a roadtrip in the jeep. 1200 miles in a V6 all highway. Average MPG: 16. I kid you not.

I guess we should have told him not to expect more than about 16 out of the Pilot either...
*snicker* I haven't seen anything CLOSE to 18 MPG as advertised on my pilot without driving 50% highway.

I had a 02 Jeep Wrangler before my Pilot. It only had 55K when I traded it in, so I can't vouch for long term reliability. It was a fine car, very few problems. I've had a few friends with Grand Cherokees that were lemons.

I wasn't willing to take a risk on any other flavor of Jeep viewing what my friends went through.

Trade in on the Wranger was > 50% after 5 years. Not bad.

[krygny]

Originally posted by artspilot


I guess we should have told him not to expect more than about 16 out of the Pilot either...
*snicker* I haven't seen anything CLOSE to 18 MPG as advertised on my pilot without driving 50% highway.
...

I have always gotten 20±1 mpg, overall. 25 mpg on long trips.

[artspilot]

Originally posted by krygny

I have always gotten 20±1 mpg, overall. 25 mpg on long trips.

I just filled mine up. 260 miles / 16.6 gal giving me a pathetic 15.6 MPG. 100% low speed stop and go traffic and short trips... the bad stuff.

The best I've calculated is 19.

I understand the 19, we were driving like maniacs at 90+ MPH w/ two bikes on the roof on a State Highway and up through N GA Mountains (not at 90 MPH).

Maybe the car needs to break in a bit more... only has 2200 miles on it.