New Edmunds Comparison

[sfhondapilot]

Edmunds.com has a new SUV comparison. Some interesting rankings.

[smurray]

So the Pilot's "Lows" were, "Feels big and heavy compared with the others, bland personality.".

Bland personality? Maybe. But "Feels big..."??? It IS bigger and heavier than the rest of the field. Very perceptive!

I like how they rated the Toyota though!

[Gordo]

This is the best part: If you look under Final Rankings and Scoring Explanation, Pilot scored highest under Personal Rating, defined as: "Purely subjective. After the test, each participating editor was asked to rank the SUVs in order of preference based on which he or she would buy if money were no object."

Scores:
Honda Pilot 83
Mitsubishi Endeavor 75
Nissan Murano 42
Toyota Highlander 58

So, which one really wins? Pilot!

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by Gordo
This is the best part: If you look under Final Rankings and Scoring Explanation, Pilot scored highest under Personal Rating, defined as: "Purely subjective. After the test, each participating editor was asked to rank the SUVs in order of preference based on which he or she would buy if money were no object."

Scores:
Honda Pilot 83
Mitsubishi Endeavor 75
Nissan Murano 42
Toyota Highlander 58

So, which one really wins? Pilot!

I read the whole thing and read this page last...
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...8/page015.html

based on that the only thing they found lacking in the Pilot compared to the others was performance. Other than that the Pilot blew the others away.

[Ziploc]

Originally posted by smurray
So the Pilot's "Lows" were, "Feels big and heavy compared with the others, bland personality.".

Bland personality? Maybe. But "Feels big..."??? It IS bigger and heavier than the rest of the field. Very perceptive!

I like how they rated the Toyota though!

My main thoughts about the Edmunds articles:

1. One person's "bland personality" is another person's "classic, non-trendy styling that'll wear well."

2. Seats that become uncomfortable and "feel hard" after a little time passes? Since they're evaluating leather seats and I have cloth, I can't judge except to say my husband and I both find our seats very comfortable on trips whether long or short.....

3. Re "Feels big" and "lumbers down the highway like a bear" (or similar words): Since the day I first drove the Pilot, I've been telling everybody about my biggest first impressions: "It drives, handles, and just FEELS like a smaller vehicle than it really is" and "It drives so smoothly and performs so well that it practically drives itself down the highway."

4. Can it be that they're talking about the same vehicle I know and enjoy? Are my powers of perception that skewed? Or maybe I've wandered into the Twilight Zone....

Anyway, I guess the fact that opinions and judgments can vary to such a degree helps keep the world turning.....

[kippy95]

On Thursday, I did a survey rating on 6 SUVs in Santa Fe, CA. This survey is where they pay you $100 for the two hours session. There were Pilot, Murano, Highlander, Explorer, one I could not identify, and one test SUV. After walking around, getting in and out, and trying all seat positions for all vehicles, Pilot still came out on top of my list as a result (1. Pilot 2. Highlander, 3. Murano, 4. Explorer 5. ??? 6. test SUV).

This Saturday morning, I was in the focus group, round table discussing about the rating we did for the same vehicles. Guess what, I got another $100 for that too . Until the middle of the session, I realized that the focus group was focusing on the test SUV and not much on other SUVs. The test SUV looks like it'll be from Huyndai or other Korean company. None of the exterior and interior were original. Every little feature of the test SUV was taken from other cars. Pretty much, the whole session was asking us what do see on other vehicles that we would like to see on this test vehicle. I made my suggestion what I like on the new SUV but in the end when they asked if I would buy, I answered no. My answer, "Stick with Toyota or a Honda, and I can't go wrong." However, the test vehicle has an amazing value - bigger engine, HP, torgue; 5 spd auto, roof racks, all wheel drive, sunroof, wood trim, leather, and 3rd row seatings; all for under $26K.

Anyway, I have another survey session schedule for next week in the same area again. I really enjoy these surveys and the pays. I hope this time I'll get to survey all the coupes on the market because I'm ready to buy a Honda EX V6 Coupe.

[01r1]

I too liked their rating of the Highlander

The part that caught my attention was gas mileage and weight. The Pilot about tied for best observed fuel economy (HP-20.5mpg vs. THL-20.8mpg). The Pilot did this while weighing in 559lbs more than the HL and 20 more horses under the hood. Now that's an accomplishment!

Honda's engine refinement and efficiency is way ahead of it's competition.

-Pete

[florida_guy]

Originally posted by Ziploc

4. Can it be that they're talking about the same vehicle I know and enjoy? Are my powers of perception that skewed? Or maybe I've wandered into the Twilight Zone....

Anyway, I guess the fact that opinions and judgments can vary to such a degree helps keep the world turning.....

I think part of the problem is these guys also drive Lexus, BMW etc.

My house is big compared to the apartments I used to live in. It's small compared to the homes that many families live in. Perspective, I think affects their opinions.

[Ziploc]

Originally posted by florida_guy

I think part of the problem is these guys also drive Lexus, BMW etc.

My house is big compared to the apartments I used to live in. It's small compared to the homes that many families live in. Perspective, I think affects their opinions.

I fully agree with the point you make, florida_guy. But, these "experts" should be comparing the Pilot to just the other three vehicles, not vehicles in the Lexus, BMW, etc., class.

If I were accustomed to driving high-end Lexus, Mercedes, etc., SUVs prior to my Pilot purchase, I might find that the Pilot wouldn't satisfy me as fully as it does. But honestly, in everything that's important to me from the perspective I have, the Pilot more than fills the bill (with the possible exception of fuel economy, since my mpg numbers are consistently lower than average for other Pilots).

[Ziploc]

Originally posted by kippy95
Anyway, I have another survey session schedule for next week in the same area again. I really enjoy these surveys and the pays.

Gee, kippy95, aren't you the lucky one. Everybody wants my opinion, but no one wants to pay for it!!!

[MDXlite]

I guess Mitsubishi bid the highest for the test results...

This is valuable marketing for them...

[tatng]

The Mitsubishi's "stand out" styling really means ugly to me.
The edmund guy really discounted the 3rd row seat feature from the comparison.

The Car and Driver "neither nor" comparison is more far more objective and counting all the design features:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

-Tat

[Ziploc]

Originally posted by tatng
The Mitsubishi's "stand out" styling really means ugly to me.
The edmund guy really discounted the 3rd row seat feature from the comparison.

The Car and Driver "neither nor" comparison is more far more objective and counting all the design features:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

-Tat

Edmunds: Meet Car and Driver. Seems you two have a slight difference of opinion on the No. 1 and No. 4 rated vehicles....

[GreenMachine]

It's amazing to me how performance figures vary from one authority to another (I'm aware that weather conditions affect the final numbers). Car and Driver got 7.6 and 8.1 seconds 0 - 60 for the Pilot in two different tests.

In that C&D comparison, the Pilot was slightly quicker than the Mitsu., though only 1/10 of second. How's that quote go... winning is winning, whether it's by an inch or a mile.

Seems like the Pilot's power is just fine.

[74PILOTMOM]

3. Re "Feels big" and "lumbers down the highway like a bear" (or similar words): Since the day I first drove the Pilot, I've been telling everybody about my biggest first impressions: "It drives, handles, and just FEELS like a smaller vehicle than it really is" and "It drives so smoothly and performs so well that it practically drives itself down the highway."


That confused me too- I have always noticed this as a safe and stable feeling, an absolute plus in my book, -not a "lumbering bear".
I highly recommend reading the neither nor article from C&D. Great snow pic of the Pilot too