Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Honda Pilot Touring

[Autos_Editor]

A no-nonsense eight-passenger SUV with family-friendly features, a civilized driving experience, and ruggedly boxy styling that delivers a maximum of interior space.

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[mrthompson]

The blocky styling of the new/newer Pilot is growing on me.  What's wrong with me?   

[Fobroader]

^^ Im with you, Ive actually always liked this more than the MDX. To me it seems, I dont know, less feminine.....Took my wifes cousins out, shes got an 07 0r 08 I think, and absolutely loved the way it drove and the seating position was great.....then on the way home from the Flames game my drunken ass really enjoyed the back seat 

[Fobroader]

^^ Im with you, Ive actually always liked this more than the MDX. To me it seems, I dont know, less feminine.....Took my wifes cousins out, shes got an 07 0r 08 I think, and absolutely loved the way it drove and the seating position was great.....then on the way home from the Flames game my drunken ass really enjoyed the back seat 

I was waiting to have the argument with FOB between the MDX and Pilot

 

Peace man



No need to fight  All Im saying is that I like the looks and the feel of the Pilot better....thats all....besides, going toe to toe with our resident Acura slappie is not a good idea   

[Northernridge]

I perceive the Pilot and Highlander as being very direct competitors. I also perceive that Toyota has done a better job of advancing the Highlander than Honda has done with the Pilot...I could be completely wrong though because I haven't driven current copies of either. Curious what others think.

One observation...not long ago the Pilot was a wimpy, soft-road SUV compared to many other available truck-based options. Today, the Pilot is the rugged choice. 

[PhiDelt]

I perceive the Pilot and Highlander as being very direct competitors. I also perceive that Toyota has done a better job of advancing the Highlander than Honda has done with the Pilot...I could be completely wrong though because I haven't driven current copies of either. Curious what others think.

One observation...not long ago the Pilot was a wimpy, soft-road SUV compared to many other available truck-based options. Today, the Pilot is the rugged choice. 

I just spent many hours with a good friend looking for a 7 passenger SUV as he wanted a second opinion from me. We looked at pretty much every SUV under 50K that seats 7 . We ended up choosing between the Highlander and the Pilot, and chose the Pilot because it has more rear room in the 2nd and 3rd row. I am 6'1" 225 lbs and didn't feel too bad in the 3rd row of the pilot, but in the highlander it was brutal. We both like the dash of the Pilot more also (not as nice as the Tribeca, which has the nicest dash of most SUV's we looked at).

[johngenx]

I liked both the HL and Pilot, the missus thought the HL drove "smaller."  She preferred the Pilot to the MDX, feeling that outward visibility was better and the cabin more open.

In the end, of course, we bought the older HL, which she still rarely drives thanks to the size.  She dislikes anything larger than the Forester.

[mixmanmash]

^^ Im with you, Ive actually always liked this more than the MDX. To me it seems, I dont know, less feminine.....Took my wifes cousins out, shes got an 07 0r 08 I think, and absolutely loved the way it drove and the seating position was great.....then on the way home from the Flames game my drunken ass really enjoyed the back seat 

I was waiting to have the argument with FOB between the MDX and Pilot

 

Peace man



No need to fight  All Im saying is that I like the looks and the feel of the Pilot better....thats all....besides, going toe to toe with our resident Acura slappie is not a good idea   

That's too bad, because the MDX's SH-AWD > Pilot's VTM-4 AWD.

[Fobroader]

^^ Im with you, Ive actually always liked this more than the MDX. To me it seems, I dont know, less feminine.....Took my wifes cousins out, shes got an 07 0r 08 I think, and absolutely loved the way it drove and the seating position was great.....then on the way home from the Flames game my drunken ass really enjoyed the back seat 

I was waiting to have the argument with FOB between the MDX and Pilot

 

Peace man



No need to fight  All Im saying is that I like the looks and the feel of the Pilot better....thats all....besides, going toe to toe with our resident Acura slappie is not a good idea   

That's too bad, because the MDX's SH-AWD > Pilot's VTM-4 AWD.

Oh yeah, I know the AWD is better....what can I say....Im a shallow person, I go for looks 

[bombastic]

At this price point I would gladly take a minivan or buy an Acadia or Enclave. The look is much better than Pilot.

[johngenx]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

[mixmanmash]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

Too bad it drove like , even compared to a 2000 ML which is body on frame...

[bridgecity]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

Too bad it drove like , even compared to a 2000 ML which is body on frame...

Never heard that comment about it before.  Actually, I thought I read in several mags that it was one of the better rides/handlers when they first came out.  That was my experience as well.

Anyway, for the seven years we had our first gen we had nothing but praise for the family hauler.  One of the best 6's out there, coupled with a decent AWD system and loads of cargo room.  Even towed our travel trailer with it for a couple seasons.  Great all around utility vehicle.

[Snowman]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

Too bad it drove like , even compared to a 2000 ML which is body on frame...

Assuming the ML is not on a flatbed to the dealer.... then the Pilot is much better.

[mixmanmash]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

Too bad it drove like , even compared to a 2000 ML which is body on frame...

Assuming the ML is not on a flatbed to the dealer.... then the Pilot is much better.

In which way?  My dad owns a 2000 ML.  Had less problems than my Mother In-Laws 2004 Pilot.  However, that's not the point of this discussion which is the direction you took it.

The point is handling.  As far as handling, the ML isn't a champ by a long shot, but certainly felt better than the few Pilots I have driven of that era.

[Snowman]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

Too bad it drove like , even compared to a 2000 ML which is body on frame...

Assuming the ML is not on a flatbed to the dealer.... then the Pilot is much better.

In which way?  My dad owns a 2000 ML.  Had less problems than my Mother In-Laws 2004 Pilot.  However, that's not the point of this discussion which is the direction you took it.

The point is handling.  As far as handling, the ML isn't a champ by a long shot, but certainly felt better than the few Pilots I have driven of that era.

When I look at buying a SUV handling will not have much weight on my scorecard. Reliability, practicality, comfort, and cargo capacity will rate higher than lateral G's. I have no desire to go hooning in and SUV.

[mixmanmash]

I'm partial to the 03-08 Pilot.  Simpler exterior, nicer front end.

Too bad it drove like , even compared to a 2000 ML which is body on frame...

Assuming the ML is not on a flatbed to the dealer.... then the Pilot is much better.

In which way?  My dad owns a 2000 ML.  Had less problems than my Mother In-Laws 2004 Pilot.  However, that's not the point of this discussion which is the direction you took it.

The point is handling.  As far as handling, the ML isn't a champ by a long shot, but certainly felt better than the few Pilots I have driven of that era.

When I look at buying a SUV handling will not have much weight on my scorecard. Reliability, practicality, comfort, and cargo capacity will rate higher than lateral G's. I have no desire to go hooning in and SUV.

Makes sense.  You did buy a Venza after all...

Again, you turned the discussion off handling.  It's not about lateral Gs.  Good feedback, steering feel, handling all lead to better confidence behind the wheel.  IMO this makes a car primarily safer than all your reactive gear such as air bags.

[rrocket]

Again, you turned the discussion off handling.  It's not about lateral Gs.  Good feedback, steering feel, handling all lead to better confidence behind the wheel. IMO this makes a car primarily safer than all your reactive gear such as air bags.

Except that it doesn't....since 99% of the people don't know how to drive properly.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

The ML was near the bottom of the reliability ratings year after year over at Consumer Reports. Ride and handling don't mean much if it's parked at the dealership or on a flatbed.

When What CAR? did their survey last year, Mercedes averaged a 45% failure rate compared to 17% for Toyota and 10% for Honda.

[blotter]

Again, you turned the discussion off handling.

if it's broken (Assuming the ML is not on a flatbed to the dealer.... then the Pilot is much better.) it's not going to handle much sitting on a flatbed.
 


while i like the look of the Pilot, it is a monster of an SUV.  I'm sure not much will handle worse than this big block on wheels.