I had an '08 Honda Element SC. BEST CAR EVER. Totaled in a wreck in June. They don't make Elements any more (and I don't buy used cars), or I would walked in purchased another - without even considering any other make/model. For value and utility - nothing comes close to the "E".

I was in a '12 Yukon as a rental while I haggled with the insurance company. I've HAD Tahoe's & Suburbans - nice - but at $45K+ (optioned the way I like) - couldn't cost justify. I kinda liked the GMC Terrain (since the body shop I've used for years is in a GMC dealership) - not enough cargo capacity, and just too small for the $$ they were asking for the V6/Trim level. A CAR just doesn't work for me - as much for business needs, as towing my motorcycle on road trips, comfort, styling, etc.

I pretty much drove EVERYTHING in the $30-50K SUV/Crossover class - Hyundai, Toyo, Nissan, Volks/Audi, Accura, NOT THE FORD (LOL) - you name it, I looked at one - pretty much close to a solid week of test driving, comparisons, research and pricing.

My mechanic (a client, whose lift/facilities I use when I can't do the maintenance/repair work at home) who's been a friend for 25 years (7 cars - BMW 320i/535i/735i - Chevy Tahoe/Suburban/Corvette - Honda Element) and probably 700K miles between all my vehicles - opined that out of ALL of them - the HONDA had given me the BEST service for my "severe duty driving style", with the least amount of issues (rotors/pads & tires ONLY in 104K miles) - and advised to buy another Honda.

CRV too small - Odyssey, just not my STYLE.

For looks, comfort and VALUE - in it's class of vehicle - NOTHING TOUCHES the Pilot.

Especially at that price point.

I could AFFORD to purchase any vehicle I desired.

I bought a Pilot.

Rick

 

Thanks Rick! Nice comprehensive reply, exactly the type of reply I was looking for and hoped would spark some good conversation. :29:

 

Actually have a 2010 which aside from minor cosmetic differences from the 12 and 13 is essentially the same car (same mechanicals incl towing capabilities) and while I do not tow any; I find the Pilot with the most bang for the buck. Like rsconsulting said - I was also in the market actually for about 3 months looking, researching, and test driving almost all SUV's (aside from the luxo ones) but once I put together all the needs and wants on other SUV's that are included in the model of the Pilot I bought (EX-L with RES) - they pretty much ended up more expensive that the Pilot from $3000 to about $7000 even the Hyundai's and Kia's which was supposedly cheaper than all other makes - so I ended up with the Pilot plus the fact that I have a 03 CRV with 117K on the clock with no problems aside from your routine maintenance - these cars are built to last. Not saying that they have no problems - you may see one or two that are not satisfied - but which car make doesn't?

 

I read multiple reviews on crossovers and SUVs. I needed a 3 row SUV that was reliable, could sea real adults in the back row in a pinch. I narrowed it down to the CX-9 and the Pilot. The CX-9 felt cheap, the third row was too small and really only fit two kids. The Pilot was very luxurious, felt well-made, and had tons of features which I've come to love. The navigation on the Touring is just incredible. Having nav, rear seat entertainment, bluetooth phone, and the radio all integrated makes for a nice experience. We live in Colorado so we wanted something decent in the snow. We also looked Nissan and some American-made SUVs. The Honda Pilot was the best value for our use scenario. We got the Touring in Dark Amber which I really like.

 

Looking at mid-large SUV's in the non-luxury price range (eliminating Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, etc.), I had a list of like 12 vehicles:

Toyota Highlander
Ford Explorer or Edge
Honda Pilot
Mazda CX9
Subaru Tribeca
Chevy Trailblazer or Tahoe
Hyndai Santa Fe
Kia Sorrento
Volvo ??
--some others I don't recall offhand

I eliminated certain brands that I just didn't consider trustworthy or reliable (Chrysler/Dodge for example), elminated some cars that lacked the leg room I was looking for in the back row (for 2 kids in seats, wanted more leg room than the Ford Escape Hybrid I had been in), so that took out a bunch of them too. Also had to eliminate the Explorer and the larger Chevy because I have an oddly shaped garage, and they were just too long to practically fit. There were also a few others eliminated, like Volvo based on price, and Subaru based on lack of options for price. That left me to test drive:

Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot
Mazda CX-9

The test drives made it very clear. Basically, the Mazda drove nicely, but both my wife and I disliked the layout and ergonomics, as well as the sight lines of the Mazda. The Mazda also wasn't as good on options as the others, at a similar price. So we eliminated that.

We also drive the Highlander, which is nicely designed (IMO), has comparable options and an almost identical price... but the big difference, surprisingly, was the quality. The Toyota just felt a lot more plasticky and flimsy - doors, buttons, seats, all of it. I didn't expect that. But the Pilot just felt better in all those regards.

So we bought the Pilot! It isn't a perfect car of course - there are a small handful of relatively small complaints I have. But it was the best at that price point, without a doubt in our minds.

 

Looking at mid-large SUV's in the non-luxury price range (eliminating Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, etc.), I had a list of like 12 vehicles:

Toyota Highlander
Ford Explorer or Edge
Honda Pilot
Mazda CX9
Subaru Tribeca
Chevy Trailblazer or Tahoe
Hyndai Santa Fe
Kia Sorrento
Volvo ??
--some others I don't recall offhand

.

What amazing is that in the seven years since I got my Pilot how little that list has changed

I looked at the Tahoe back then but Today I would look at the Traverse in its place. I eliminated the old Explorer due to mpg.
The final decision for me was Sequoia V Pilot. Liked both behind the wheel but couldn't see spending the extra $10 plus k on that over the Pilot.
As the little bear says, its just right.

 

Back in march 2010..........

Basically I wanted AWD, heated leather seats, real room for 8 passengers, and good resale value.

That narrowed it down to the Acadia vs Pilot

Got a 2010 Ex-L for 31,700 plus tax.
GMC was asking $38,000+ for a similarly equipped Acadia and wouldn't budge and inch on the price. I said thanks and bought the Pilot.

It's been almost 3 yrs and I have no regrets.

 

Had '03 and '07 Pilots (EX-L trims) prior. This time around, my wife wanted to go a little more "luxurious".

Started out looking @ the Infiniti JX. Had it for a day-long test drive and my wife ultimately concluded that it was "bleh" (best way to describe it) - I hated the CVT tranny and, for an SUV pushing $50k, thought it was under-powered.

Went to look @ the MDX (w/ Tech pkg) next, which I thought for sure my wife would love/buy, especially considering the deals they were offering this summer ($6-7k off MSRP without even negotiating). I liked the sportiness, power and handling, but my wife didn't like that it was smaller space-wise compared to her '07 Pilot (we have 2 kids) and didn't like the small(er) center storage space, nor the big swath of fake wood on the dash.

Final stop was to look @ a Pilot Touring model. Immediately fell in love with it - had a lot more features compared to her '07 EX-L, not to mention it offered everything the MDX did and more (e.g. rear side sun-shades and the integrated tow hitch/pkg, which was an add-on on the MDX). At first, I wasn't impressed by the interior quality compared to our prior Pilot(s) (definitely some cost-cutting since the prior model), but after 3 months I can find no faults with it and the [gray] interior has really grown on me. Also think it's a very classy-looking vehicle, especially in silver. Love the NAV and the kids love the rear DVD player for long trips. Automatic rear tailgate also a nice/handy feature. The VCM gives it slightly better gas mileage than our '07 (2mpg+). The features, space, build-quality that you get @ this price point, can't be beat - we got our Touring @ the end of June for $37,500 + doc, tax, license fees.

 

Foldable 3rd row seat for 8 passengers, more space and it is a 6 cylinder.

 

The largest vehicle with 3 versatile, functional rows that will fit in our garage for under $25k (used) Minivans are too long. Subaru Tribeca 3rd row was not functional (and fugly too). The Pilot has a utilitarian / nerdy quality that appealed to us.

 

I needed something that would pull my boat and have 4WD for steep boat landings. My wife and drove the Durango and Explorer but we both liked how the Pilot handled the best.

 

Test drove several. The test drive made the choice very easy-just seemed to drive better- and and with its features saved at least 5 grand. The Ex-l had all the features I wanted and none of the feAtues I could live without. it is a great vehicle and have no buyer's remorse after 5 months which is a first.

 

I had two other hondas before buying the 2010 touring. I research other trucks like the highlander and Acadia but once i test drove the Pilot it just felt right. I just trading in the 2010 for a 2012 and im even more impressed,quiet as can be with better handling and better milage.

 

Over the last several years we have been downsizing. We went from a horse ranch to a house on 1 acre. Leaving the horse ranch meant that there we did not need some of the large trailers. However, we did keep my 21' bass boat, 37' 5th wheel, 1 ton dually crew cab diesel and the Jeep GC Overland. In 2008 my wife got a Accord EX-L. Her and I have had some Honda's over the years going back to 1983. Last December I reluctantly traded the 10 year old Jeep in on a 2012 VW Passat TDI. Maintenance on a Jeep is ridiculous. They are great vehicles but their maintenance schedule is absurd for a modern day vehicle. Now it is present year. Earlier this year I sold my 21' bass boat. It's the first time I've been without a boat in 37 years. A few months ago we sold the 37' 5th wheel. The cost of towing your house with you was getting cost prohibitive and we found that renting a house was more affordable. Now I no longer have a need for a 1 ton dually. Last week the truck sold. I was looking to get a new half ton PU when my wife suggested that we look into a small SUV. We both missed the Jeep, so she suggested the Honda Pilot. We looked at a few other smaller SUV's but coming back to the Pilot. So last Saturday we traded her 2008 Accord EX-L (and some cash) for a 2WD 2013 Pilot EX-L with Nav. I at first wanted the Touring but the major enhancement to the Touring was the entertainment system and we did not need that since our kids are grown and live a long way from us. We do like the boxier look of the Pilot as well as ample viewing outside the back window. We also have liked the reliability of the Honda product line over the years. So, in a long winded round about way, that's why we got the Pilot.

 

For me it was between Pilot, Explorer and last Highlander. At the Highlander store they were too busy eating hamburgers to wait on us so they will never see my fat ass again. I'm a Ford man but I have to admit that I liked the Pilot. It fits me better and I can see the writing on the controls better. I just want a Pilot with four hundred HP and a six speed manual. Best, CB

 

Honda reliability and resale in an attractive, 3 row seating, largish 4WD with decent gas mileage.

 

Wife wanted something boxy to replace her boxy 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Nothing to do with 3rd row seating or towing - she just wanted the boxy look and a nice comfortable interior. Candidates were Jeep Liberty, Ford Explorer, and Honda Pilot.

Drove the Liberty - exterior was perfect, interior was utter crap. Eliminated.

Drove the Explorer - it was ok, but the interior somehow still had a bit of that "AC Delco" feel to it. Also the number pad on the driver's door would make me feel like a retiree in Boca Raton, Florida. Eliminated.

Drove the Pilot - whole different league. It was all over but the negotiation.

 

Did vehicle shopping for over 4 months. Drove absolutely everything not luxury. Really liked the Explorer but couldn't justify buying something that's main feature (myford touch) doesn't even work properly. Liked the Acadia but have had nothing but trouble with GMC's. Plus for price might as well have went luxury. Went to Honda expecting to just cross the Pilot off the list but ended up really liking it. Feels great tons of room for our two dogs and fits their kennel without dropping the second row. Ended up going to Toyota and liked the feel of the Highlander but just too small. Love the Pilots size, feel inside, the ride, and the fact I know we will get a good return if we sell unlike the domestics. Have the couple complaints but everyone will have them.

 

Easy Decision

We drive vehicles for a long time, and I am tired of having vehicles with 170k miles on them, which cost more to repair than they are worth. I'll never buy American again...it's Honda or Toyota from here out. They will keep building crappy cars, so long as we keep bailing them out.

I'll miss the room of the minivan we just put out of its misery, but we are done with minivans. The Pilot is roomier than the Highlander, so we really didn't consider another vehicle. We'll drive it for 8 years, then it will be our youngest son's first vehicle. We'll happily drive it into the ground!

 

Because we absolutely loved our 2009. Considered something American like the ford or dodge but the wife wasn't open to anything else.

I feel the pilot is as much an American car as is the dodge.

 

engine
refinement
low depreciation (I drove a new pilot for 24 months, and traded for a new and improved one for a 4500. difference)

 

Why Pilot?

Subaru Outback- space, ride, and bang for the buck
Jeep Grand Cherokee- reliability, size, $, cost of upgrades
Toyota Highlander- space, style, $ when equally equipped
Ford Explorer- reliability, cost
Chevy Traverse- size, style, cost when equally equipped
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - safety, ride, comfort, space

I bought a Pilot because it was the first vehicle that hit every mark on our list of requirements, we thoroughly enjoyed driving it, every single person i spoke to who had ever owned one loved their's.

Our List of requirements:
Safe.
Reliable.
Comfortable.
High Resale Value.
Large enough for an active family.
A Joy to drive and ride in.
Affordable.

:29:
7.000 miles so far and enjoying every one of them.

 

I love to read these comparisons, this is my first post on this forum as a new Pilot EX-L w/navi is high on my list of a replacement vehicle for our '09 VW Routan SEL with a 4.0L V6. For those who don't remember it, my user name is in reference to the old Isuzu Trooper II (owned an '84 and '86) which was quite similar to the old Toyota FJ Cruiser (not the newer plush one, the old bare bones with 2 doors and rubber mats, only available with a long throw stick), both were tall boxy and great in snow, real work horses but without many creature comforts and not very kid friendly.

We traded the '86 for a '90 Dodge Grand Caravan and then another DGC in '97 and lastly with a cash for clunkers deal for this '09 VW (had marginally better mileage and qualified --- huge discount off the VW which should have been my first clue). In any case, we needed the extra space of a minivan with two kids in college at the time, loved the higher seat height, decent hwy mileage and the Routan actually does have a decent on road presence but am just really concerned over its longer term reliability as VW has decided to drop it (another orphaned nameplate) beyond the 2012 model year.

So have been looking but probably at a few others not mentioned here besides the Pilot which I plan to test drive soon --- namely, a Ford C-Max,, a BMW X3 with the 2.8L, the '13 Acura RDX, an Audi A4 Avant or Allroad or possibly wait for 2014 Toyota RAV4 (complete redesign).

Details so far -- Ford C-Max is small on the outside but fairly big on room, gets 47 MPG on regular gas! ; BMW X3, much more luxurious and larger than previous years, that start/stop was a bit annoying at stop lights (you could shut it off), didn't like the throttle response but the fit/finish and leather, etc. was top shelf; other downsides were the price with options I wanted, requires premium gas and while the first 4 years of maintenance are covered, Bimmers are expensive after that; the new RDX, requires premium, did not have the premium feel of the BMW but was decent; both Audi's are just as nice as the BMW and probably have the best heated seats in the business, just OK space but higher ride height of the Allroad is good as well and lastly, have only seen a few spy photos of the newer RAV4 but the current one is too utilitarian for my taste but it's the only one in this group to offer a 3rd row seat --- it's a nice to have but would be kept folded as it is now in my Routan unless needed (at least a few times of the year for trips with my own staff, some airport pickups, etc. but not absolute, could rent in a pinch I suppose).

I think the Pilot offers a great value but want to see the ride quality, road in an '08 awhile back and it was decent but a little bumpy as a passenger so we'll see ...

EDIT: well, I need to add another to the list, decided that I really don't need the 3rd row as long as it has a rear seat that will comfortably seat three adults and the VW Touareg fits the bill; took a '13 Touareg TDI Sport out for a test drive and came away quite impressed .. also drove a Toyota Venza as I had Carmax appraise my Routan but the Honda dealer was swamped so a Pilot test drive will need to wait a bit. At least I have one finalist (the Touareg -- either a VR6 or TDI) and have a decent ballpark on my trade-in. I think I'm going to pass on the C-Max, its just a bit too small as well as the Venza, decent fit and finish but mushy brakes and lots of road noise from the stock 20" tires.

LAST EDIT: thought I would close this off in case anyone goes back through; drove a few more competing models as well as took another look at a Pilot; was turned off by the materials fit and finish and as mentioned earlier didn't really need the 3rd row seat so ended up with a '13 VW Touareg VR6 (gas) with navigation/backup camera. Got a better trade-in than a Carmax appraisal for my Routan as well as a super out-the-door price (this thing lists for over $46K) as well as the driving dynamics, solid almost 'built from a single billet' build quality and displays, features, etc. As we typically only drive this particular type car about 10K per year, it will be fully covered under VW free maintenance and will see what we do afterwards ... assume be much better than the '09 Routan its replacing so we'll see.

 

Because one day the wife said "I want to get a Pilot to replace the minivan", I looked around and found one with 4wd in the color she wanted and the next day she had her new car.

 

I didn't even attempt American cars...sorry. I got burned when I bought a 2010 Chevy Equinox. After 3 months, this "ticking" sounds started and the dealers said it's part of the fuel-injection technology and there's nothing they can about it. I went through 3 dealers and they said the same thing. Now, there's a lot vehicles out there with Fuel Injection and they don't have a ticking sound. The sound got really anoying and I traded it off for a Nissan Maxima after 4 months! After 3 years, I still Love my Maxima.

I looked at the 2012 Mazda CX-9. Not too crazy about it. The interior looks very outdated. Incentives are great but resale values are bad. Blind spot is horrible. It's a 7-seater.

I looked at 2013 Explorer. Didn't like the sales guy...bored me to death while at the same time, I felt like he was not that interested in us. Rides like a car. Price is much more than pilot. Also a 7-seater.

I drove the 2012 and 2013 Pilot and really liked the feel. The resale value is best in class. It felt like a truck.

The vehicle is really for my wife. She drove a 2005 Accord EXL Nav and it served us well. We weren't even sure if we should trade the car but we needed space for my lugging my two kids and their friends. Good social life for my kids

She really like the pilot too. We hated the Mazda sliding rail on the floor and could really catch a lot of crap. We have 2 young kids so it wont take long before the rails get really dirty and affect the sliding of chairs. Plus my wife wasn't too crazy about the "strings" you pull on the third row seat to bring them down.

She like the Explorer but hated the "strings" similar to CX-9. It just didn't right for her. Maybe the salesguy had something to do with it too.

But...she loved the Pilot. Drove like it's got power, no strings in the back to pull, no exposed rails on the floor for sliding of seats, and a bonus of one extra seat...an 8-seater.

For the price, dependability, resale, comfort, features and an extra seat ...why get anything else?

So we pulled the trigger on a white 2012 EX-L! She's happy and kids are happy. LOL

 

We have driven Hondas since '88 and have owned six counting our '12 Pilot. We drove an Explorer and were underwhelmed, it was more of a token test drive. We left there and went across the street and bought a Pilot. Our personal experience with Hondas was a major factor, the EX we drove was decisive, and keeping the same dealer was a pleasant bonus.
We liked the Town & Country but had serious reservations about the long term reliability. We did a lot of online research but staying with Honda was almost a foregone conclusion.
We have no regrets, except the damned dark tint on the rear glass and not having an in-dash rear cam on the EX.