Ask the Car People.SM


2009 Honda Pilot First Drive and Full Test

54 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 6

#15 of 54 Keep the comments coming by mulligan101

Apr 16, 2008 (6:04 pm)

Keep it up since it will make easier for me to get a good deal on a new Pilot in a couple of months.

#16 of 54 GM Should Thank Honda Pilot Designer by easym1

Apr 16, 2008 (8:11 pm)

If Honda designed this car as nice as the Enclave, I bet that people won't think twice of getting a Honda. But Subaru is worst design wise.

#17 of 54 I like it by adctvmonkey

Apr 16, 2008 (8:28 pm)

I might be a loner, but I'm really starting to like it, it's growing on me even though I hated it when I first saw it in concept form. I think it's very individualistic and bold.

#18 of 54 This is great news for American SUV manufacturers by dacauser

Apr 16, 2008 (10:32 pm)

Let me get this straight, Honda vehicles are getting boxier and boxier because they are trying to produce what "Americans like" while American manufacturers continue to produce better styling SUV's (Enclave, Equinox, etc) every year... I used to be a die hard Honda fan but their latest designs keep pushing me further and further away from this brand.

#20 of 54 Styling...umm...unhelpful. by mfisher4

Apr 16, 2008 (11:15 pm)

The multitude of micro improvements in this model are interesting. But the styling is not, with the minivan butt end and the tonka toy front end joined by the rigid and square Jeep middle.
 
The Pilot styling doesn't communicate a (am I really saying this?) positive aspirational message. It says look at me, I'm so cool I don't care if my vehicle has the lines and aerodynamic properties of a brick. "Ugly chic" is just...ugly and kind of a lousy message to all the Honda buyers who used to think that Honda built good components in nice looking wrapping.
 
Honda corporate styling is obviously choosing a direction they believe will be successful. The Element, the Ridgeline the Accord and now the Pilot are all obviously a family and a brand. But to me, they've been hit with an ugly stick that would drive me elsewhere as a buyer, short of massive discounts. They're kind of like, did someone say AMC, yeah maybe, but more like the old VW family. VW made the ugly chic market in the 70's (Beetle, Van, Thing, maybe Rabbit) and nearly drove the company off the cliff when tastes changed. If the market decides ugly is out, Honda will have garbed most of their model line in unsaleable clothes.
 
I really think this is a poor strategic direction for Honda. Letting their cool quotient evaporate chasing a faddish common design style is dumb. I don't see how it can be sustainable as a core quality for a car company (Honda: so good we don't care that people think its ugly...)

#21 of 54 styling by semantic2

Apr 17, 2008 (11:19 am)

i think the styling looks fine. not great but definitely better than the cx-9, the tribeca, outlook, etc. as for suv's that look better than it but doesnt' have the capacity like the pilot, i'd go with the vw toureg but it has reliablity issues, like the pathfinder, but the interior sucks, LR..great if I want it to go to the shop and fix. but definitely if you want curves, get a sports car. an suv should not have to look like a minivan.

#22 of 54 Ugly Sells by carbunt

Apr 17, 2008 (7:19 pm)

I think the new redesigned '09 Honda Pilot will sell quite well. The Honda 'faithful' are loyal brand believers and Honda can count on their brand loyalty to embrace this model in significant numbers.
 
Of course this 'unconditional' love is contingent on Honda's continued stellar, almost bullet proof reputation on delivering on outstanding quality and reliability. This is why for example, the '08 Accord sells so well, inspite of its anemic looking, disjointed design. Honda has proven that consumers are willing to plunk down their hard earned coin for a brand that they perceive is superior in quality and reliability regardless of whatever models the company produces. Civic, CR-V, Accord, Ridgeline, Element are all examples of this twisted outside-inside design logic.
 
But heck, as long as it's working for them why break what doesn't need fixing? As long as they keep building what people buy. Besides, Honda's brand returns relatively good re-sale values. No one should expect Honda to make any styling changes anytime soon. The Honda faithful must be pleased.

#23 of 54 Re: Ugly Sells [carbunt] by josephd05

Apr 18, 2008 (7:29 am)

Replying to: carbunt (Apr 17, 2008 7:19 pm)
All subjective. I personally think the new Accord is by far the most attractive one yet, inside and out. Reminds me of a 5 series. It also handles MUCH better than the previous generation. My only problem with Honda is this whole Rotary dial Nav design instead of touch screen. Their Nav design is by far the greatest other than that.

#24 of 54 Nice To Have All Those Clever Touches, But... by verdi942

Apr 18, 2008 (12:36 pm)

Too big, too fat, too thirsty for these days of $4.00 and up gasoline. Unless it's not a daily driver, that is.

Messages Page 3 of 6

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement