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SUVs Crossover SUV Comparison
7127 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 8:31 PM
You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: albook (Apr 11, 2008 5:30 pm) I love the interior in my 2006 Accord, and the exterior is inoffensive, if not exciting. The LEDs are a neat touch though.
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Replying to: albook (Apr 11, 2008 5:35 pm) I actually disagree. Honda buyers are the least picky about styling, right next to Toyota buyers. People buy Hondas because of their reputation for quality and dependability. What I am curious to see is, what did Honda do to better the Pilot? They have had a few years to better their product. But, did they do it? What gives the Pilot an advantage over the other new CUV's like the Lambdas, CX-9, Veracruz? Consider reliability a given, what does the Pilot offer that the others do not? Is it sportier? I think not. I think it's pretty safe to say that the CX-9 has that covered. Handling? I think the Veracruz and CX-9 have it beat too. I assume this just by looking at it. Small wheels, and bulky stance and Honda has a history of vehicles that don't handle too great. Fuel economy? We will have to wait and see. Power? Also an unknown, however, it is rumored that the Pilot will have the 3.5L w/268 hp and VCM. I don't know if that is a good thing from by the way many are unhappy with the VCM Accord. Bottom line, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered to see if Honda really made an improvement with their new Pilot.
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 12, 2008 7:25 am) Honda buyers are the least concerned about styling, maybe second only to Buick. I even think Toyota is more style-concerned. But maybe that is waht might hurt Honda with the new Pilot. Buyers are used to innoffensive styling-nothing amazing, yet certainly not ugly- and this Pilot is anything but innofensive. They should have just gone with the flow of the market- a swoopy sporty design, a poor man's MDX, or a supresized CR-V. I'd also guess gas mileage won't be up to "Honda" standards. On a lighter note, this might be good news for GM as I'm betting they are about to get a swarm of buyers who were waiting to see this new Pilot. Just a thought.
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Replying to: baggs32 (Apr 11, 2008 6:23 pm) |
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Replying to: thegraduate (Dec 21, 2007 11:28 am) I don't understand what's not to like. I don't think the interior is great, or anything, but you get all the features, and it's not plasticy (maybe you are refering to the overload of buttons on the dash?). I' not really too picky about interiors. As for the exterior, I would definitely not say it's exciting.
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| Fresh results form CR tests say Honda is number one automaker sold in the US. Another shocker: Toyota is number two. This was totally unexpected. Oh, and they just keep coming. US auto makers ar at the bottom of the list. GM's newer vehicles like the lambdas and Malibu did well, though. | |
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Replying to: albook (Apr 12, 2008 11:21 am) Back to CUVs! |
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Replying to: albook (Apr 12, 2008 11:15 am) Yes, gosh darn it, you should have posted a silly face!! Shame on me for not picking up your sarcasm 
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So Ford is telling Automotive News that they predict the Flex can sell 100k units per year. What say ye? I think it's possible, but depends a lot on price. The market has tanked so I do not think they will meet that target in the first year, but could eventually build up to that level of sales. |
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 12, 2008 7:25 am) 07 Pilot owner here. Not in the market. Each vehicle will cater to its own set of the market. Pilot market has been: 1. Reliability; 2. Practicality; 3. 50/50 Mix of Ride / Handling; 4. Better Mileage than Comparative haulers (Tahoe etc) [note: I'm not saying TOWers - for towing, truck-based is clear winner]. Note: styling is not there. Box styling is consistent with #2 practicality. How will the 09 stack up? Extremely hard to say here, but: #2 Practicality: Best features of current Pilot: generous front row space, excellent storage options in front row; wide second row; some usability of third row (more than many competitors), particularly given overall size. Problems with Pilot practicality: Very Small Storage with all 3 rows up; Access to third row could be easier; a little more legroom in 3rd row would be appreciated; No direct Ipod link (possible with rear Nav); Cannot get both DVD & Nav Predictions for 09: Storage with 3rd row up increased a good bit (though probably less than GM trip/quadruplettes): based on thick D Pillar Better Access to 3rd row, and a bit more legroom door in 3rd row - based on what looks to be wider 2nd row door (makes it easier to get foot there to 3rd row); probably will not have 2nd row pass-through, so GM Trip/Quadruplets would have it beat on access / usability of 3rd row. Other practicality issue: should now have Ipod connection; availability of both DVD & Nav together #3: Ride/Handling Pilot is very much an in-between market here. Closest match is Veracruz, IMO. Nothing like the handling of CX9, but nowhere near as punishing a ride either. Not as cushy as Highlander, but better handling. Predictions for 09: one rumor suggests slightly better handling (implementing some of the MDX improvements), while keeping similar ride. If so, I'd be pleased. #4: Better Mileage than Similar Haulers This is a weak link in current Pilot. While better than large GM SUVs, it's beaten by GM Trip/Quadruplets, iiuc. Prediction for 09: not much of an improvement, based on what we're seeing with Accord V6. In all, I think it will address most of its most serious shortcomings. However, the one that is probably most important in the current market, fuel economy, is probably the one least addressed. Will a diesel make a difference? One is supposedly on the way in a two years, but the question then is, will US refineries change their mix to produce more diesel (so that temporary shortages of diesel do not cause such rapid price spikes for diesel)? Honda does not seem to be going hybrid in this class. Would a 4 work? It's a heavy vehicle. Not sure how many would buy (I would, but I don't use it for towing, nor do I currently live in mountains). For now, I'd say it's an improvement over the current Pilot (and able to defend its existing market niche). However, a big part of that niche is being swayed more by mileage than by Honda-Reliability, and I think the GM Trip/Quad pose a big challenge to it (which now match its practicality in many aspects, and better it in others). And it's not going to get those who used to go Pilot for handling/performance (over old Highlander / Tahoe etc) who cannot go to the MDX, and instead go to CX9. But, I do see it sufficiently defending itself v-a-v the Veracruz. Not sure how the Flex fits in, but I doubt the 2 will be cross-shopped much. We'll see! |
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