Pilot Vs MDX

[pwm88]

In terms of car safety, Honda Pilot and Acura MDX both recieved 5 stars ratings except rollover rating(Pilot is still to be rated).
Please pardon my knowledge of cars... I heard from friends that Acura MDX is using premium gas, I wonder if that is necessary ? I find the gas cost can be high especially for a SUV.
Also, In terms of cost of vehicle, the difference is about $3.5k, is it worth it to get the MDX ?

Thanks !

[74PILOTMOM]

Wow- where have you found an MDX so cheap? (Or a Pilot so expensive?)
My main reason for buying the Pilot over the 'X is price. It would have run me at least $6K more for that gorgeous Acura. It was love at first sight, I'm just to dang broke for one

Really the Value is in the Pilot- more cargo space, seats 8 instead of 7, BUT the MDX has a lot more goodies (sunroof!) and 20 more HP than we do.

Underpinnings and Engine are both the 3.5L V6, Really paying for LUXE and BADGE with 'X.

As for the Premium vs Regular Gasoline issue...I'll leave that to the experts here. Some of these Piloteers are Geniuses!

I went for the Pilot and glad I saved the $$$, I love it.

Welcome to H-P.ORG!!! You'll find a lot of nice folks here.

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by pwm88
Also, In terms of cost of vehicle, the difference is about $3.5k, is it worth it to get the MDX ?

Thanks !

If you haven't already I would ask this question on our sister sight acuramdx.org as well. That way you will get both sides of the story. I read at least one message over there where the owner claimed that the difference between his MDX and his neighbors Pilot was only around $1,500 when all was said and done. That was a while ago and I think actual cost to buy a Pilot has gone down by now. The owner who wrote the message didn't give any specifics about options.

Anyway the MDX is out of my budget but if it's not out of yours and you're like me you'll want to get perspective from owners of both vehicles.

Just keep in mind that Pilots do have the ability to fly.

[sfhondapilot]

Edmunds.com TMV

MDX Touring with entertainment: $39,800

Pilot EX-L RES: $31,138

TMV difference: $8,662.

Here's an excerpt describing how Honda boosted the HP in the MDX in 2003 from 240 (which is the Pilot's HP level) to 260:

By modifying the exhaust system, revising the integrated cylinder heads and installing shorter intake manifold ports, the all-aluminum VTEC V6 goes from 240 to 260 horsepower. Torque is increased from 242 to 250 pound-feet while still meeting ULEV-2 emissions requirements. At 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway, the MDX is more fuel-efficient than many of its thirstier competitors in the SUV class.

These changes allow the HP curve to peak higher (5,750 rpm vs 5,400 rpm) but, more importantly, the torque comes on much sooner (MDX 250 ft-lbs peak at 3,500 rpm versus Pilot 242 ft-lbs @ 4,500 rpm). Basically, the Pilot has last year's MDX engine.

Is this added performance (plus the sunroof) worth the price differential?

[ramirami]

Originally posted by sfhondapilot
Edmunds.com TMV

MDX Touring with entertainment: $39,800

Pilot EX-L RES: $31,138

TMV difference: $8,662.


These changes allow the HP curve to peak higher (5,750 rpm vs 5,400 rpm) but, more importantly, the torque comes on much sooner (MDX 250 ft-lbs peak at 3,500 rpm versus Pilot 242 ft-lbs @ 4,500 rpm). Basically, the Pilot has last year's MDX engine.

Is this added performance (plus the sunroof) worth the price differential?

well you get the
1. luxary tag
2. better sound systems
3. better interior finish, leather etc
4. better tires

Ofcourse its always different strokes for different folks....

[terrier]

Originally posted by pwm88
... I heard from friends that Acura MDX is using premium gas, I wonder if that is necessary ?
Thanks !

The Acura's engine is optimized for the higher octane. If you use the cheap stuff like the working class too often, you might end up with a slightly dirtier engine, not to mention less power and probably gas mileage.

Exactly how much of each?

I'll have to ponder it at the gas pump. (pumping good old regular!)

[krygny]

Originally posted by pwm88
In terms of car safety, Honda Pilot and Acura MDX both recieved 5 stars ratings except rollover rating(Pilot is still to be rated).

Yes, and I don't understand what's taking NHTSA so long. Vehicle rollover is not tested, it's calculated based on weight, dimensions, wheelbase, and center of gravity. Did they crash their only test vehicle and forget to calculate rollover beforehand?

Please pardon my knowledge of cars... I heard from friends that Acura MDX is using premium gas, I wonder if that is necessary ? I find the gas cost can be high especially for a SUV.

The MDX and Pilot have the same basic VTEC engine but are different (DOHC vs. SOHC), resulting in 20 additional HP. I think the transmission is slightly different too. The Pilot engine has a 10:1 compression ratio, so, I can't believe it takes regular, but it does. If only the heads are different on the MDX and it has the same compression, you may be able to run it on regular. If you buy an MDX, try a few tankfuls of regular. If there are problems you'll know it. If not, you're better off with regular. You'll probably still have to resort to premium for more demanding trips (heavy loads, mountains, etc.) and certainly as the vehicle ages.

Also, In terms of cost of vehicle, the difference is about $3.5k, is it worth it to get the MDX ?

Thanks !

Just be sure you're comparing apples to apples. The difference between the Pilot I bought and the MDX I would have wanted was at least 6-8K. I was already spending a little more than I wanted, which I usually do with a car and, as always, I'm glad I did. I didn't want to spend a lot more than my budget.

[pwm88]

Hi Florida_guy,
I have registered with acuramdx.org but the website forum refused to let me post any article ! not sure why, one possible reason is the web admin need to authorize me ?

Have ANYONE tried car consultant/broker company such as :
http://www.autopurchaseconsulting.com/
They claimed they could help me to search nation wide car dealer for best price of any new cars (even pilot and MDX) for close to dealer invoice. It sounds attractive to me, wonder if there is any catch...

Thanks.

[bkwon]

Some people won't hesitate and pick the MDX. It is the "sportier" one ... I think.

If you're like me, you can compare until the cows come home, and you'll still be pondering one over the other ...

No matter how/what, you'll find enough reasons to pick one over the other. They're both excellent vehicles for different reasons. I "agonized" over the impending decision before deciding on the Pilot. I had my eyes set on the MDX until the Pilot appeared. I chose the Pilot mainly due to 3 reasons:

1. Cost (about CAD$8K to $10K price difference incl. tax and CAD$500+ per year more for premium gas).
2. Waiting period of 3 months for MDX vs. 3 days for the Pilot.
3. My boss drives an MDX -- an ex-colleague's advice: never drive the same vehicle as your boss. Either get something a lot more costly $$$ (they can't pay you enough to drive it) or buy something less. You'd be perceived to be overpaid ...

[timchen]

carsdirect.com also claim that pilot doesn't have traction control while MDX has. ??? Is that right? I remember seeing traction control is also standard on pilot.

[timchen]

MDX is 48/50,000 while Pilot is 36/36,000
17" rim vs 16"

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by pwm88
Hi Florida_guy,
I have registered with acuramdx.org but the website forum refused to let me post any article ! not sure why, one possible reason is the web admin need to authorize me ?

It was the same process for me here as over there. Send a message to Worm or Admin here about this problem. They are the same great, hard working guys that keep the MDX site working.

I'd try again first though because there might have just been a quirk in the system when you tried.

[GreenMachine]

Originally posted by krygny

The MDX and Pilot have the same basic VTEC engine but are different (DOHC vs. SOHC), resulting in 20 additional HP.

Both have SOHC's.

Acura's also have roadside assistance standard.

[ramirami]

you could "cork" the pilot to get 20 additonal HP....

[renov8r]

...and I'm pretty sure that cork wouldn't really do anything for the Pilot's power -- though it might be a usefull to filter out more noise!

Originally posted by ramirami
you could "cork" the pilot to get 20 additonal HP....