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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

What is this discussion about? GMC Acadia, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Taurus X, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Honda Accord Crosstour, Dodge Journey, Car Buying, Car Comparisons, SUV


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#6412 of 7127
Re: 2009 Pilot [dbt] by albook
Apr 14, 2008 (6:06 pm)
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Replying to: dbt (Apr 14, 2008 12:16 pm)

You've pretty much hit the nail on the head. The new Pilot will definitely be an imporvement over it's predecessor, I'd be pretty certain in all areas except gas mileage. It will be successful, but I don't think anyone could really say that it wouldn't be more successful and have more market share with a slightly sleeker, overall better looking exterior.
#6413 of 7127
Re: 2009 Pilot [nxs138] by ateixeira
Apr 15, 2008 (8:35 am)
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Replying to: nxs138 (Apr 14, 2008 2:03 pm)

Hopefully that puts pressure on Toyota to make simple improvements - like a split 3rd row for starters.
#6414 of 7127
Re: 2009 Pilot [ateixeira] by nxs138
Apr 15, 2008 (3:28 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 15, 2008 8:35 am)

Yeah, I agree. I liked the new Highlander, even though it didn't have a lot of room behind the 3rd row: I figured that I could always pull down half of the 3rd row to make more room...but nooooo! No split 3rd row. That really turned us off, so here we are with a CX-9. Their loss, I guess.
#6415 of 7127
'09 Pilot- Not so bad? by albook
Apr 15, 2008 (5:36 pm)
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After reading the new Pilot walk around by Edmunds, I have to admit, the Pilot seems to have lived up to most of the expectations. I knew it would grow in size, especially after reading about the increase in behind- third row-cargo space to an impressive 20 cubes. But I was actually thinking it would grow more than just 2 inches in length- more like 3-4. I guess Honda didn't want to mess with successful ingredients- and the size always was right. I was also impressed that legroom was up an inch in the 2nd row, and 2 in the third, pretty good for adding 2 inches in length. However, overall cargo space is still an average 87 cubes. I guess something had to give somewhere. I was also hoping for captains chairs.
 
I will even admit the styling has grown on me a little- but that's probably just from looking at all those marketing photos.
 
I wouldn't say it's best in class, but it's a good imporvement on an already good package. And I'd take it over the Highlander.
#6416 of 7127
Re: '09 Pilot- Not so bad? [albook] by aviboy97
Apr 16, 2008 (6:35 am)
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Replying to: albook (Apr 15, 2008 5:36 pm)

Yes, Honda did improve the Pilot, in terms of passenger space and cargo capacity. Edmunds did say the car was not exciting to drive, and the VCM did cause the vehicle to surging, which is a big problem for Accord owners. Also, they said you really have to slam the throttle to get power, something that is partly caused by having only a 5-speed tranny.
 
It does seem that Honda concentrated more on the utilitarian part of the CUV, rather then the drive. It does not seem like a bad idea. The GM's went for more interior room, more power. Mazda went for the overall drive and interior passenger space, and now Honda went for overall utility.
#6417 of 7127
Fuel Economy by aviboy97
Apr 16, 2008 (9:38 am)
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This is something that Honda is known for, however, they pull up short here with the new Pilot. See how it stacks up against the competition.
 
Pilot. 16/22 250hp/253tq
CX-9. 15/21 273hp/270tq
GM. 16/22 275hp/251tq
Hyundai 15/22 260hp/257tq
 
Considering how much power the Pilot has, IMO, that is what makes the fuel economy not that impressive compared to the competition.
#6418 of 7127
Re: Fuel Economy [aviboy97] by thegraduate
Apr 16, 2008 (11:35 am)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 9:38 am)

For the Pilot, it seems average; a 6-speed would help. Also, VCM is for 4WD models only.
#6419 of 7127
Re: '09 Pilot- Not so bad? [albook] by ateixeira
Apr 16, 2008 (1:08 pm)
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Replying to: albook (Apr 15, 2008 5:36 pm)

That increased cargo space behind the 3rd row is an important upgrade.
 
I think Honda knew they had the Odyssey for the people that wanted space first and foremost, so they intentionally kept the Pilot's dimensions a tad smaller outside.
#6420 of 7127
Re: 2009 Pilot [dbt] by tifighter
Apr 16, 2008 (1:51 pm)
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Replying to: dbt (Apr 14, 2008 12:16 pm)

This is a good post; I'd say most of your observations are pretty accurate. I recently bought a 08 Pilot. I kept wondering if I would regret not waiting to see what the 09 offered, but the deals on 08's were mighty good. Now that some details are out, the 09 seems like a pretty mixed bag.
 
Pros over the 08 (IMO)- shifter position, separate rear glass, illuminated steering wheel controls, aux in, improved crash structure, supposedly quieter
 
A wash - interior styling, same basic drivetrain but feels peppy enough in the 08
 
Cons - VCM adds complexity for little mpg benefit, increased width, styling, supposedly poorer interior plastics (from early reviews, but haven't seen in person)
 
All in all, its probably better, and there is a diesel in the pipeline. But if I were spending $30-35K today(which I didn't; thanks 08 Pilot!), I don't see what this offers over the Lambdas or possibly the Flex. And I think the VC matches up really well now. The CUV market sure has gotten competitive in the past 2-3 years. The 09 just seems like a lost opportunity.
#6421 of 7127
Re: Fuel Economy [aviboy97] by albook
Apr 16, 2008 (2:59 pm)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Apr 16, 2008 9:38 am)

Power was another thing I was shocked to see with the Pilot. The power rating is embarrassing. And while all the Freestyle owners would say that anyone who thinks 250 hp isn't enough for a CUV is power crazed (sorry, couldn't resist ) consumers are going to notice the difference. I know it will be a major advertising point for Mazda and Hyundai. Really, 250 shouldn't be too bad. It's a little more than last year, and I believe the new model in most cases is a little lighter. But where is Honda's updated 3.5 V6 in the Accord? Were they trying to distance the Pilot from the MDX? Because 268 compared to 300 is enough for me. I can see Car and Driver disproving its pickup now.

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