2006-2008 Pilot Vs. 2004-2006 MDX

[hondapeople]

Besides the obvious 8 Passenger Pilot Vs' the 7 Passenger MDX; luxury name plate for the Acura, and nicer fit and finish for the Acura--is there any huge differences between the Pilot and the MDX? Styling-Yes. Comfort? Quietness? Full economy--same/similar. Wife and I are trying to justify the differences between the two. We're curious if customer service at the Acura dealership is far better than the Honda dealerships? Does anyone own both the Acura and the Honda and have seen better service from the Acura dealer? When we took our Accord in for service--the Honda dealer sent us down the street to Enterprise Rent a Car and we got a POS Nissan Sentra. I've had friends take their Acura's in and get an ACURA. Just curious. Thanks!

[andyschneider]

Originally posted by hondapeople
Besides the obvious 8 Passenger Pilot Vs' the 7 Passenger MDX; luxury name plate for the Acura, and nicer fit and finish for the Acura--is there any huge differences between the Pilot and the MDX? Styling-Yes. Comfort? Quietness? Full economy--same/similar. Wife and I are trying to justify the differences between the two. We're curious if customer service at the Acura dealership is far better than the Honda dealerships? Does anyone own both the Acura and the Honda and have seen better service from the Acura dealer? When we took our Accord in for service--the Honda dealer sent us down the street to Enterprise Rent a Car and we got a POS Nissan Sentra. I've had friends take their Acura's in and get an ACURA. Just curious. Thanks!

Having owned both Acuras and Hondas, it really depends on the dealer itself, and whether you bought the vehicle new, certified, or used. Acura dealers typically build a relationship with their customers when they buy new, or perhaps even certified. If you go and buy an Acura just as a used vehicle, I'm not convinced they'd suck up to you like they would when new. But depending on the dealer, Honda dealers can be just as accomodating as Acura ones - at least I know mine is up here.

Overall, I'd personally opt for the newer Pilot, since the fit/finish and overall mechanics are very decent in the Pilots since '06, and some of the earlier MDX's had some hiccups in terms of quality issues. But also, a lower-mileage Pilot is (IMHO) preferrable to a higher-mileage MDX. For me, the increased passenger AND CARGO room in the Pilot makes it worth the buy under the "H" logo. And an EX-L Pilot isn't that far behind a similarly appointed MDX...

andy

[hondapeople]

Thank you Andy for your Honest opinion. That helps. I know we will have to drive both, but we don't have very good Honda dealerships here in Colorado. That's an interesting point about the new/certified vs. pre-owned. I know Lexus has very high customer service--but we don't want to spend the exorbitant amount of money for a GX or LX vehicle. I appreciate your time.

[rocky]

The first gen MDX I drove seemed quieter and more comfy than the Pilot, but the price difference was enough to stop me giving it further consideration. Same chassis/engine and many many parts are shared by the two vehicles.

As for service, my local Honda dealer is open seven days a week and I've always been in an out within three hours even on a Sat with a major service

[larryziegler]

Also remember, the Acura requires premium fuel as opposed to regular for the Pilot.

[ncelk]

Having owned the 06 Pilot and an 06 MDX, I find them very similar. However, the service is better at our local Acura dealer. But it really comes down to what you prefer and your budget. The MDX has a slightly stiffer ride, IMHO, but not objectionably so. It does have a few more bells and whistles (DVD and NAV together), 17" wheels, as well as a longer warranty.

If money is a factor, get the Pilot. If money is not as much of a factor and you want a slightly (not much, but ever slightly) plusher Pilot, then buy the MDX. The Pilot does have more cargo room though.

But Acura does offer loaner cars when you take it in for service, as well as the fact that it is always washed and cleaned when you pick it up. Bottom line, both are great. Buy the one you like best.

After owning the MDX, I could still happily drive a Pilot and not feel like it was a downgrade, if that helps.

[jay]

I can only chime in on the service at a Lexus dealer vs. the Toyota dealer. I bought a Lexus RX 330 from Pohanka Lexus in Chantilly, VA, thinking I'd pay more for quality service. I will, it wasn't. Sure, I can get an oil change on Christmas day, but the lounge has stale donuts, burnt Starbucks coffee, PC's in the internet lounge that are old, slow, and dirty, etc. And if they put you in a loaner Lexus, it'll be nasty inside, with stains on the interior, glass with prints all over it, and the like.

Then you pay 50% over regular dealer outrageous prices, and then return your just run through an automated was car with scratches and greasy footprints on the door scuff plates. The aluminum lighted scuff plates that I pay a premium for service so the won't FCUK them up!

By contrast, the local Toyota dealer puts me in a clean Toyota, has an okay waiting area with coffee and wireless internet access that I can use with my own device, they may or may not wash the car, but they never mess up the interior, and only charge me a half-outrageous price.

Lexus service is dealer-dependent, and you'll pay for what you get. And hope that you get what you paid for.

[netman88]

Well, I had an Acura MDX and now Honda Pilot.

The service at the Acura Dealer is more customer friendly and will listen to what your needs and special requests.

However you are paying for the extra service.

Honda is just average car dealer format without much perks.

But they have honor my last 3 warranty issues. One of which, I had to complain to corporate to get done.

My Acura Dealer before was Steven Creek Acura, always give us a Enterprise POS loaner. That's why, I'm buying Honda instead of Acura now.

Why pay more for the same vehicle beside the better leather.

We now have a minivan btw so my SUV is secondary.

[ncelk]

As noted by others, your dealer experience may vary.

One thing I do like about the MDX versus the Pilot is the sunroof controls are on the roof. Strangely, that is one of the biggest things that makes a difference, other than the seats. It does show you how similar they are.

[GreenMachine]

As was mentioned above, the services cost extra at Acura. That’s why you get the Acura loaner in most cases. I guess I am lucky because our Honda dealership has Honda loaners. I got a Pilot loaner last time. My sister has a TSX, and when they were quoting prices on routine maintenance like brakes, a/c filter, oil changes, they were all higher than the Honda dealership across the street. I called them, and they said they would do any maintenance on the Acura, but not warranty work of course.

Since you mentioned your Honda dealerships aren’t the greatest, that makes the decision a little tougher, but I just wanted you to know they aren’t all like that. Good luck with your purchase.

[planes2008]

I just got home from picking up my 08 Pilot. The lease was expiring on my 05 MDX and I started hunting around a month or two ago for a replacement. After testing a number of SUV's (including the new MDX and RDX), I decided to go with the '08 pilot. I love the drive of the MDX and when I got behind the wheel of the pilot, I felt like I was in the same suv. Now obviously there are a number of 'luxurious' differences between the 2 - some of which I WILL miss, but for an additional $12-$15k, having a power passenger seat and memory driver seat wasn't worth it to me. In my opinion, and I know I've only test driven the car (and now taken it home), I'm EXTREMELY happy with my choice. If you have any specific questions (since I'm now an owner of both), let me know.

[hondapeople]

I appreciate everyone's opinions about the Pilot and the MDX. This information helps considerably. My wife and I will have to drive both, and decide what will be best for our budget and family. Since we have a dog now, I'm sure the Pilot offers more space behind the second and third rows than the MDX. The MDX has curvier styling than the boxy Pilot. But both being Honda's and trying to justify the extra cost for nicer customer service--I guess I need to see what is truly important in the car service experience. Always have had mediocre customer service from our Honda dealers--but Honda has always made a great product. I tend to like doing things myself when it comes to the basic services (filter/fluid changes, brakes, lighting, belts)--so going to the dealer for the major stuff is something I can deal with regarding stale donuts/coffee, and subpar customer attention. As long as there is higher quality attention given to my vehicle, I'm okay with the mediocre stuff on everything else. Thank you again everyone!

[midwester]

Hey, what did the folks at the MDX forum say??

[netman88]

Also, check the dealer ratings on acuramdx.org and this site: http://www.hondapilot.org

There's some good info there also.

Good Luck.

[dacna]

I just traded my 03 MDX for a 06 Pilot.

MDX
Better handling
Better leather
More Passenger legroom.
Memory seats
Side mirror dips to show curb
Rain sensing windshield
17 inch wheels
replaced stock tires with Bridgestone Turanza ($108 on Sam's club website)
Better sounding stereo (Bose)

Pilot
8 passenger
wider and taller
shifter on column frees up very useful storage space.
much more ergonomic controls.
better fit and finish to me.
Access 3rd row from either side.
Lower body cladding.
will replace goodyear's with Brigestone Turanza when time comes.

My local Acura dealer is awful (Norris Acura) started taking Acura to Odonnell Honda across the street. Much happier; they also wash vehicles.