Pilot vs 4Runner

[Larryl]

I'm looking at both the Pilot and 4Runner.

Appears like they are about the same size but where the Pilot is more like a minivan the 4Runner is more like a truck.

The Pilot unibody gives more room inside but weighs 3 to 4 hundred pounds and suffers in the braking becuase of the wight and smaller tires.

The Pilot did well in the 40mph offset crash but the 4Runner did a bit better.

The Pilot should be more resistant to tipping over but is not as capable off the road and does not have computer stability features.

Does anyone have experience with both the Pilot and 4Runner?

[jay]

Even though the 4Runner is wider than its predecessor, the Pilot is wider still. The Pilot is not a minivan, it's a cross-over SUV, whereas the 4Runner is on a truck frame. Good luck with a tough decision.

[GlenH]

My brother in law just picked up a 4Runner Limited V8. It is MUCH smaller on the inside compared to the Pilot. For some reason, it feels much heavier too. I don't really like the way it drives. IMO, the Pilot is more car like and the 4Runner definitely feels more truck like.

I think it comes down to what you are planning to use the SUV for. If you plan on going offroading a lot, the 4Runner is better. If you need more room to haul people around, the Pilot is better.

Looks wise, I like the way the 4Runner looks much better than my Pilot. HOwever, I like the interior styling of the Pilot better.

Glen

[terraambient]

I test drove both the Pilot and the 4-Runner. Like Glen said, it depends on your needs. The Pilot DEFINATELY handled better than the 4-runner, but I wouldn't do any off-roading aside from a forest path or gravel road.

Personally, I like the Pilot's design better than the 4-runner, but that's just me.

[Larryl]

Thanks for the words, but I wanted to ask about a problem. I went to the dealer and the salesman was useless. I asked where the fuses were and drew a blank stare, same with checking fluid levels under the hood. Then the Pilot would not start. It was the only one there so the service department looked at it. Answer, no error codes so nothing was wrong, just wait 5 minutes and try again, it's normal?

I asked the salesman if they had an upgrade for electric starting on demand. He transferred me to another salesman. He could not find the fuses, either.

Number two said the Pilot is "best in class", but could not name any other vehicles in "the class". He went on to say that the Pilot would never get stuck because it had all wheel drive.

So I'm going to depend on this and other forums to get my information. The dealer might just as well be selling cans of soup.

[ARwebpilot]

Larry,

From all of us who love our pilots, We are sorry your first experience with a Honda dealer was so horrible. I promise you that not all Honda dealers are that way. I know that first impressions stay with a person, but PLEASE, check out another Honda dealer or two. Not all Honda dealerships employ useless dolts like the ones you seem to run into. I know at my dealership here in Little Rock, they really study the options and information on each model and accessory.

There are actually three fuse box locations on the pilot - one under the hood, and one on each side front seat kick panel.

"In class" seems to refer to the mid-sized SUV class, not the full sized surburban class, but bigger than the RAV-4. Same class the 4-Runner, and Explorer fit into.

[KRiS1]

I liked the 4 runner better but the pilot was unbeatable in terms of value

[robrecht]

Originally posted by jay
Good luck with a tough decision.

Yes, good luck. For us, however, it was a very easy decision since our off roading needs are quite limited, not nonexistant but quite limited. In every other respect, as a daily driver for a growing family, the Pilot was far more suited to our needs.

A colleague, a single woman, has the newer 4Runner and loves it but recommends the Pilot now that she's seen ours. For the great majority of American SUV drivers "off-road" means the driveway.

[Will_Pilot]

I routinely drive my dad's V8 2003 4Runner and my own -04 Pilot.

I was "bragging" that my Pilot it wider, and indeed it is, but when measuring the width INSIDE the car the difference was much less, because the 4R had thinner doors. I must say this is decieving, as the Pilot feels much wider.

As far as drive, the Pilot has the edge in steering and brakes. It also has much better visibility and feeling of roominess.

The 4R has the edge on accel and smoothness of the ride. Also even though his 4R is a year older than my Pilot, it has no squeeks or rattles whatsoever, I wish I could say the same.

Looking at all factors I believe the V8 4R is the better ride, but it is not a better value. My dad paid 5k more for his vehicle than I did.

The Pilot is my wife's. Had it been for me I would have just paid more and bought the 4R. But it's not so I didn't.

[Will_Pilot]

Larryl, IMO these two cars are great, and you have a tough decision, but ONLY if you're considering the V8 4R.

As far as Pilot vs. V6 4R, I think the Pilot is the clear winner.

[Larryl]

Thanks again, but I have a few questions.

1. Brakes, the Pilot seems lacking and even the brake pedal feels feels a bit wimpy. I read that the 65-0 for the Pillot is 145' and the 4Runner is 126'. Does anyone experience fade?

2. I haven't been able to confirm computer aided stability on the Pilot, which is different from ABS. The 4Runner has it and, in a friend's 4Runner we tried it and it was fun, might be useful in bad weather. This question completely skunked two Honda salesmen.

3. Sunroof, roof rack and power rear window???

4. Anyone know how long brakes and tires last on the PIlot?

5. How's dealer service?

If it were not for you guys and this web site it would be a lot more work getting real information.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by Larryl
Thanks again, but I have a few questions.

1. Braking distance is a weakness of the Pilot.

2. No VSA on the '04 Pilot but Honda has announced it will be added to all models. Can't say exactly when yet. Nonetheless, Pilot gets good marks in the Consumer Reports emergency manuever test, better than MDX and Highlander, which do have VSA or VSC. You'll have to check on the 4R 'cause I don't know. Also, Pilot has 4-star NHTSA static rollover rating vs. 3-stars for 4R IIRC.

3. Nope and yep and nope.

4. OEM tires are not great.

5. Depends on the dealer, of course.

You've clearly identified some key areas of comparison that highlight relative weaknesses of the Pilot, but the overall package, if you're more interested on family road driving, still favors the Pilot IMHO. Bottom line, though, you can't go wrong with Honda or Toyota.

Good luck!

[Will_Pilot]

My comment about the brakes of each car referred more to the feel and modulation, I haven't conducted a braking test from 60-0.

I find the Pilot's brakes a little too soft/ squishy, but like them better than the 4R.

I forgot a biggie, the tranny on the Pilot is smoother. In fact, I think the shifting smoothness and timing on the Pilot is as good as it gets.

[Larryl]

Does the Pilot transmission have the same workings as the Odyssey? My son in law received a letter extending the warranty on his 01 Odyssey transmission to 100k. The service manager told him they have not seen any problems but their transmission mechanic said that for a while they kept him busy for a while. Guess he'll never make manager.

Have any of you gone long enough to replace the brakes? How long, how much?

Does anyone have a good choice for replacement tires. In a previous post someone expressed a need for something better.

Some 4Runners come with Michelin Cross Terrains. Would they make a good tire for the Pilot? It's basically a truck tire that rides quietly and gives better mileate and handling on the highway rather than off road. A local company that has a dozen or so pickups and suv loves them.

[jay]

Originally posted by Larryl
...snip

Some 4Runners come with Michelin Cross Terrains. Would they make a good tire for the Pilot? It's basically a truck tire that rides quietly and gives better mileate and handling on the highway rather than off road. A local company that has a dozen or so pickups and suv loves them.

A number of us have replaced the OEM tires with Cross Terrains, and the overwhelming majority think they're a great improvement. The Cross Terrains are standard issue on the MDX.