2wd vs 4wd - Honda Pilot

citysnaps · 11-21-2011, 09:09 PM

I'm thinking about a 2012 EX-L Pilot...

It will rarely (if ever) see snow, and will likely never be towing (at least anything heavy; aware of the reduced limits on the 2wd). Or going off-road.

Are there other reasons to consider 4wd?

Thanks...

carguy07 · 11-21-2011, 09:31 PM

Not really, maybe resale? Priceless if you need it, dead weight if you don't. IMO

jl_ss · 11-21-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citysnaps

I'm thinking about a 2012 EX-L Pilot...

It will rarely (if ever) see snow, and will likely never be towing (at least anything heavy; aware of the reduced limits on the 2wd). Or going off-road.

Are there other reasons to consider 4wd?

Thanks...

Better performance in the rain also. Some have complained about wheelspin when accelerating from a stop in wet conditions with 2wd. Do you ever plan on using it to pull a boat out of the water up wet launch ramps?

Arizonaadam · 11-21-2011, 09:39 PM

I bought 4wd, knowing I wouldn't need it frequently. But, it's my family hauler which means vacations, camping, etc. There are places that require chains or 4wd through passes, etc. But, admittedly, it's a want for me, not a need, something I'm willing to pay for.

Arizonaadam · 11-21-2011, 09:40 PM

Welcome, btw.

citysnaps · 11-21-2011, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the replies... Yeah, I was wondering if it helps significantly in heavy rain.

Downsides (for me) would be extra cost, weight, and a bit less mileage (though that's not a biggie all things considered).

cwa107 · 11-21-2011, 10:05 PM

It really doesn't seem like you need the 4WD - but given your needs, have you considered an Odyssey? Really, the Odyssey bests the Pilot in just about every way - and if you don't need the 4WD capability, why suffer the difference in usable space and mileage?

1YESfan · 11-21-2011, 10:35 PM

What's a little extra money and less gas milage on an expensive brick anyway? I went ahead ( Mr. cheapie who doesn't live in a snowbelt)because I paid a small fortune ( no more than I wanted to pay when all was said and done) and I said why not. A little overkill until the blizzard with two feet of snow and I will never go without at least one 4x4 at the house again. In fact even my cheapo wife has an eye on her co-worker's 11 CRV 4x4 when she decides to move out of the area.

You have some beautiful areas to drive in Northern California and Alberta which would be great drives. Several years back took the new 1800 Goldwing up to Seqouia National Park. 7,000 feet up, 25 degrees with snow and ice all over the road. Took me a few hours to get out of there and the wife wasn't a happy camper at all. All would have been good in a 4x4 Pilot. ;-)

citysnaps · 11-21-2011, 10:42 PM

>>> have you considered an Odyssey?

Hah, I did. Even posting questions in the Ody forum about removing seats to have a much larger cargo area. That was what I was originally looking at; more for utility and hauling stuff, than for people moving. The 28 hwy mpg was a big consideration, too

But spending a lot of time in both at the SF Auto Show going on right now, the Pilot just felt better.

Ken-NY · 11-22-2011, 12:14 AM

In terms of usable cargo capacity, it appears the Pilot edges out the Odyssey (according to Consumer Reports).

Consumer Reports measures cargo volume using a pipeframe "box" that is expanded until it just fits the cargo area through the rear opening. They report that the Pilot measures at 48.0 cubic feet as measured behind the second row. Due to the Pilot's boxy styling this is one of the few cases where the measured (usable) cargo volume matches the spec, which states 47.7 cubic feet.

The manufacturer specs for the Pilot indicate a maximum cargo capacity of 87 cubic feet, behind the first row. Based on Consumer Reports measurements, we can assume that most of this is "usable" volume. By contrast, they measure the maximum volume (using the expandable box) of the 2011 Odyssey as 61.5 cubic ft. with two rows of seats removed.

Thus, at least based on this data, it appears the Pilot has more usable cargo capacity.

mmm666 · 11-22-2011, 12:26 AM

if you are buying suv, get a 4wd. It is very useful and safe. You will not need a chain when you are driving in the snow. extra $2000 for 4wd is very worthy.

rcase13 · 11-22-2011, 07:53 AM

Once you buy 4WD you can never go back. You can floor it in the rain and you just go with no wheel spin.

wallstreet12345 · 11-22-2011, 08:51 AM

How exactly does the Pilot 4WD work, it is not on constantly so it kicks in when one wheel spins unless you engage the 4wd manually?

rocky · 11-22-2011, 09:01 AM

If most Pilots out there on dealer lots are AWD, just go with the flow and get it. If the 2WD outnumber the AWDs, then go with that.
Unless of course you plan to tow a boat, trailer, go to the mountains and ski, in which case AWD is the way to go.

jl_ss · 11-22-2011, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallstreet12345

How exactly does the Pilot 4WD work, it is not on constantly so it kicks in when one wheel spins unless you engage the 4wd manually?

Description

11-21-2011, 09:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
citysnaps Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2wd vs 4wd I'm thinking about a 2012 EX-L Pilot... It will rarely (if ever) see snow, and will likely never be towing (at least anything heavy; aware of the reduced limits on the 2wd). Or going off-road. Are there other reasons to consider 4wd? Thanks...

11-21-2011, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Arizonaadam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I bought 4wd, knowing I wouldn't need it frequently. But, it's my family hauler which means vacations, camping, etc. There are places that require chains or 4wd through passes, etc. But, admittedly, it's a want for me, not a need, something I'm willing to pay for. __________________ Current Vehicles: '11 Pilot LX 4wd; '10 Subaru Outback 3.6R; '02 Honda Shadow 750; Pilot v. Outback: http://ohmahdeehness.wordpress.com/2...-two-vehicles/

11-21-2011, 09:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Arizonaadam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Welcome, btw. __________________ Current Vehicles: '11 Pilot LX 4wd; '10 Subaru Outback 3.6R; '02 Honda Shadow 750; Pilot v. Outback: http://ohmahdeehness.wordpress.com/2...-two-vehicles/

11-21-2011, 10:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
cwa107 Super Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Middletown, PA Posts: 2,497 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It really doesn't seem like you need the 4WD - but given your needs, have you considered an Odyssey? Really, the Odyssey bests the Pilot in just about every way - and if you don't need the 4WD capability, why suffer the difference in usable space and mileage? __________________ 2010 Honda Pilot EX-L 4WD, Dark Cherry Pearl w/ black leather - equipped with black side steps, WeatherTech Floorliners and USA SPEC iPod Integration 2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium - Ruby Red Pearl 2005 Honda Pilot EX 4WD (traded)

11-21-2011, 10:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
1YESfan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 279 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What's a little extra money and less gas milage on an expensive brick anyway? I went ahead ( Mr. cheapie who doesn't live in a snowbelt)because I paid a small fortune ( no more than I wanted to pay when all was said and done) and I said why not. A little overkill until the blizzard with two feet of snow and I will never go without at least one 4x4 at the house again. In fact even my cheapo wife has an eye on her co-worker's 11 CRV 4x4 when she decides to move out of the area. You have some beautiful areas to drive in Northern California and Alberta which would be great drives. Several years back took the new 1800 Goldwing up to Seqouia National Park. 7,000 feet up, 25 degrees with snow and ice all over the road. Took me a few hours to get out of there and the wife wasn't a happy camper at all. All would have been good in a 4x4 Pilot. ;-) __________________ Rob 2011 w.d.p. Touring 4x4, DeepWater Edition(it has a propeller on the back ;-) )

11-21-2011, 09:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
carguy07 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: OH Posts: 495 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not really, maybe resale? Priceless if you need it, dead weight if you don't. IMO

11-21-2011, 09:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
citysnaps Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the replies... Yeah, I was wondering if it helps significantly in heavy rain. Downsides (for me) would be extra cost, weight, and a bit less mileage (though that's not a biggie all things considered).

11-21-2011, 10:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
citysnaps Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	>>> have you considered an Odyssey? Hah, I did. Even posting questions in the Ody forum about removing seats to have a much larger cargo area. That was what I was originally looking at; more for utility and hauling stuff, than for people moving. The 28 hwy mpg was a big consideration, too But spending a lot of time in both at the SF Auto Show going on right now, the Pilot just felt better. Last edited by citysnaps; 11-21-2011 at 10:44 PM.

11-22-2011, 12:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ken-NY Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NY Posts: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	In terms of usable cargo capacity, it appears the Pilot edges out the Odyssey (according to Consumer Reports). Consumer Reports measures cargo volume using a pipeframe "box" that is expanded until it just fits the cargo area through the rear opening. They report that the Pilot measures at 48.0 cubic feet as measured behind the second row. Due to the Pilot's boxy styling this is one of the few cases where the measured (usable) cargo volume matches the spec, which states 47.7 cubic feet. The manufacturer specs for the Pilot indicate a maximum cargo capacity of 87 cubic feet, behind the first row. Based on Consumer Reports measurements, we can assume that most of this is "usable" volume. By contrast, they measure the maximum volume (using the expandable box) of the 2011 Odyssey as 61.5 cubic ft. with two rows of seats removed. Thus, at least based on this data, it appears the Pilot has more usable cargo capacity.

11-22-2011, 12:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
mmm666 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 256 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	if you are buying suv, get a 4wd. It is very useful and safe. You will not need a chain when you are driving in the snow. extra $2000 for 4wd is very worthy. __________________ 2010 Pilot Ex-L AWD. Taff White. weathertech digiFit. llumar ATR CH 35% / 5 % tinted windows. 16,000 miles. 2006 Toyota Camry V6. 256,000 Miles.

11-22-2011, 07:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
rcase13 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 180 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Once you buy 4WD you can never go back. You can floor it in the rain and you just go with no wheel spin.

11-22-2011, 08:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
wallstreet12345 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens NY Posts: 50 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How exactly does the Pilot 4WD work, it is not on constantly so it kicks in when one wheel spins unless you engage the 4wd manually?

11-22-2011, 09:01 AM	#14 (permalink)
rocky Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 7,178 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If most Pilots out there on dealer lots are AWD, just go with the flow and get it. If the 2WD outnumber the AWDs, then go with that. Unless of course you plan to tow a boat, trailer, go to the mountains and ski, in which case AWD is the way to go. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris...19131498101662

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