Anyone consider moving up to an MDX

[norb]

So Houston area dealers still don't stock AWD Pilots, at least not in abundance and in the color combo I want, so for just a bit more, the MDX can be had with standard AWD and 300hp. I'd have to get a base MDX instead of a Touring Pilot, but at least I can get color combo I want, and most of the features of the Touring, except the Nav. Anyone else contemplate this?

[BASISON]

Before we bought our 2009 Pilot Touring 4WD w/RES we considered the MDX since we also own a TL. They were not willing to deal as much in the price and just like you mentioned we would have to get a base MDX instead of a fully loaded Pilot. After driving the Pilot we were decided. However, when my TL is up for replacement, the MDX is the vehicle we will probably purchase.

[sammie]

I just looked at both extensively. I really wanted a MDX, wife wanted a Pilot. Ultimately, we chose a 2011 Pilot Touring with Mocha/Beige. Yes, wife usually gets what she wants, but there's more to it:

Pilot: Back seat and 3rd row seat are much roomier. Backseat/rear seat are more rubberdized/plasticky, more durable, for our two small children. Both sides of 2nd row collapse to allow access to 3rd row. Utility is better. More space behind 3rd row. Ride is better (less sporty/more isolated) in Pilot, making it more wife/family friendly. <38k before TTL. All in all, the Pilot is more rugged and practical for a family.

MDX: great in the front. It is more driver oriented. Steering wheel and instrumentation are very cool! It is more powerful and more agile. Handling is better, more buttoned down. Brakes are a lot better. Magnetic ride much better than base suspension. Front seats cradle you better and are cushier. Sound system is better. NAV resolution is better. It has a few more goodies available: Xenon's, magnetic struts, cruise radar, collison mitigation, cooled seats, etc.

Although smitten with the MDX, I was really bothered by a few things: the ride and road noise isolation are not very good in base suspension for a luxury vehicle. I deffinately appreciated the sporty nature of the vehicle, but ride quality needs to be addressed in base suspension. Road noise is bad in all trims. Back seat is not comfortable and feels confining. 3rd row is even worse. Engine tech/fuel economy/transmission is not up to par in comparison to competitors. All the bells and whistles will cost 48.4k minimum (Advanced package) before TTL.

If you have younger kids or need the utility of a truck, the MDX is no substitute for the Pilot. If our kids were older or if it was just the two of us, than we may have gone for the MDX. However, I think Acura really has some work to do to make it more competative in luxury crossover marketplace.

Good luck!

[rocky]

The cheapskate in me decided on the Pilot v MDX when the first gen versions were out. The two vehicles weren't that different, except for soundproofing and wheels/tires.

Today, there are many obvious differences.

Is it worth the cost of a trip out of town/state to get the Pilot you want?

[kasrhp]

The Nav is nothing to miss. If you have a smartphone, any nav on that will be much easier and up to date than the Pilot nav system. Its easier to navigate through the menus with the display, but I HATE the nav in my Pilot. Every time I get in it, I have to press a lawyer featured button to say "ok I accept responsibility to not take my eyes off the road." Every time.

The engine is a lot better as well. That is a much brought up issue in these forums it seems.

If I could do it again, I think I would go with the MDX. The Pilot is ok, and I liked it at first. But the MDX is much nicer/sportier and you TRULY do get more for your money. Plus I cannot stand the shift lever on the Pilot. The placement is terrible. I first thought it was quircky, but when I shift it into neutral occasionally while shifting positions in the seat, it becomes a pain. I would much prefer the console mounted shifter from the MDX.

You could always look into a 1 yr old MDX that has a couple miles on it. It will run you in the same ballpark as a new Pilot Touring.

[KRiS1]

I wanted the MDX, especially the 2010 with new 6 speed auto. Fit & finish was much better and seemed much, much more comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

But the vehicle was for my wife, who loved the pilot. The white/black color combo won her over. So I saved some cash and thats what we got.

[norb]

Well guys, I ended up with a 2010 MDX Tech/Ent. Just couldn't find the Pilot I wanted (4WD) and since the Acura dealers had plenty of MDX's on the lot, I took advantage of a great deal coupled with the super low financing (I did the 1.9%).

As for the MDX, Nav wise, it remedies all the irritating things on the Pilot Nav. Specifically, the response is ultra quick when navigating around the menu, or switching stations on XM. And the best thing about it is the iPod integration. Using voice command solves the problem of having a vast library. You can voice search by song, artist, genre, or playlist. It works fantastically.

I will miss the extra room of the Pilot though, and the more rugged feel of it. The MDX is more a tall station wagon than actual SUV. At least I'll always have my father's Pilot to borrow!

[blodyholy]

Originally Posted by norb

So Houston area dealers still don't stock AWD Pilots, at least not in abundance and in the color combo I want, so for just a bit more, the MDX can be had with standard AWD and 300hp. I'd have to get a base MDX instead of a Touring Pilot, but at least I can get color combo I want, and most of the features of the Touring, except the Nav. Anyone else contemplate this?

Every day of my life... .....is spent knowing I saved money by buying a Pilot, but compromised by not buying an MDX.

[maxummus]

Originally Posted by norb

So Houston area dealers still don't stock AWD Pilots, at least not in abundance and in the color combo I want, so for just a bit more, the MDX can be had with standard AWD and 300hp. I'd have to get a base MDX instead of a Touring Pilot, but at least I can get color combo I want, and most of the features of the Touring, except the Nav. Anyone else contemplate this?

I drove 92 miles round trip to another dealer to get exactly what I and the wife wanted and we got it... Did I say exactly?

2011 EX-L 4WD Polished Metal Meatallic

[moda_way]

Gal friend a work bought a Tech Pkg MDX earlier this year. I was impressed with the Nav and performance of the J37 in it. It handles great. My issues were, the space and the ugly factor. It does look better in person, but the power plenum Acura uses is god awful (no offense to others). More importantly, I have two young sons, so we're very thankful for the 2nd row "scuba" seat covers and 3rd row space for when the wife buses around her Gal pals. The Pilot was all about function/space, visual preference and price. The MDX has a great "neat" factor with real-time traffic and weather (something my BlackBerry does rather well), auto folding RES screen, etc... something my BlackBerry does rather well; so not worth it.

Funny story, but one thing I learned about real-time traffic in England (every has it) is that their GPS is telling them to take the same route you're about to take too. So I found it easier to just stay on the highway and go around the accident rather than follow everyone else taking back roads or other highway routes. Not that's important to those of us who don't have 50 highway options like larger cities.

[armpilot]

I was also looking at the Pilot vs base MDX back in Feb 2010. The pros with the pilot where the extra space ( work truck, need space for samples) and the regular octane fuel ( in Canada, high octane is 12-14cents more per litre), the fact that i could afford the Touring with all the toys ( love a built in Navi) and that all maintanance and parts are cheaper on the Pilot vs MDX. In the end, i luved the handling of the MDX but couldnt come to terms with the base model and paying more for gas.

[sammie]

Originally Posted by kasrhp

....but I HATE the nav in my Pilot. Every time I get in it, I have to press a lawyer featured button to say "ok I accept responsibility to not take my eyes off the road." Every time.

Same with MDX.

[sammie]

Originally Posted by blodyholy

Every day of my life... .....is spent knowing I saved money by buying a Pilot, but compromised by not buying an MDX.

Don't beat yourself up too much. IMO, you made the right decision. Until Acura is able to address the awful road noise and create a better suspension setup, I'm not interested.

[Tim721]

the extra 10K wasnt a concern for me honestly. I really didnt see the MDX as "moving up". I really just liked the Pilot more. It seemed bigger and I thought it had a more masculine truck stance than the MDX. I'll take my Touring still over any MDX any day. maybe it's just me.

[norb]

I really don't mind pushing a button to activate the nav. I mean, we have to pull on a handle to get in, and turn a key to turn the car on, and buckle up the seatbelt. What's another inconsequential button push really? Like I said I'd probably be driving a Pilot if I could have found one to my specs.