2009 Honda Pilot

I saw this rendering of the Honda Pilot and thought it looked pretty nice. I'm hoping for decent mpg and decent room in the 3rd row (the MDX is a bit skimpy on both if you ask me). A diesel engine may be introduced on the Pilot as well. Rumor is March to May '08 timeframe for availability - probably a year sooner than a re-designed Odyssey, from what the rumors say.

 

Re: 2009 Honda Pilot - with NEW Photos

Here is a photo:



It looks like a cross between a Ford Escape and a Suburban to me. I'm not crazy about the look. Honda took it conservative here and didn't get too bold with the design. I think the Saturn Outlook / GMC Acadia looks much nicer - see link.

There is also a press release with video here.

If you look closely at the interior video, the 3rd row seat legroom looks skimpy, unfortunately. It is a bit hard to tell, but doesn't look promising. It will likely work in a pinch but is not a seat one could expect to use day in and day out for anything but a small child.

I wonder what the mpg will be. I'm thinking on the order of the Acura MDX - maybe a bit better. The current model gets 16/24 - but they do mention an improvement in their VCM system for '09, so maybe that'll help.

 

Re: 2009 Honda Pilot - with NEW Photos

Here is a photo.

It looks like a cross between a Ford Escape and a Suburban to me. I'm not crazy about the look. Honda took it conservative here and didn't get too bold with the design. I think the Saturn Outlook / GMC Acadia looks much nicer - see link.

There is also a press release with video here.

If you look closely at the interior video, the 3rd row seat legroom looks skimpy, unfortunately. It is a bit hard to tell, but doesn't look promising. It will likely work in a pinch but is not a seat one could expect to use day in and day out for anything but a small child.

I wonder what the mpg will be. I'm thinking on the order of the Acura MDX - maybe a bit better. The current model gets 16/24 - but they do mention an improvement in their VCM system for '09, so maybe that'll help.

 

Thanks for the info ceric. I'm disappointed in Honda too.

I like the CX-9 a lot. I saw them in the dealership showroom and thought it was pretty nice. I'm a bit concerned about the amount of legroom in the backseat (I have to accommodate growing kids). I also have a friend who has the CX-7 which I rode in and I was not too impressed with the interior materials and thought the ride was a bit noisy. But I still have it in my consideration set.

I'm strongly considering the Saturn Outlook -- it has more room than most in the class, gets decent mpg for the class, is getting good reviews, and IMO looks equally as sharp as the Mazdas. The big question mark is reliability though.

 

3rd row is a requirement for me due to family size, but I don't like the handling or mpg of SUVs and my wife is sick of driving a minivan for the past 8 years and wants a change. Crossovers like the Mazda CX9 and Saturn Outlook offer nearly the room of a minivan with comparable mpg and better looks. I think they will sell a lot. Not so sure how well the Honda Pilot will do. The "new" design looks about 5-6 years old. But then again, it's a Honda and that alone will sway many buyers.

 

The Hybrid Highlander seems too small in the 3rd row. A seat that will do in a pinch but not very good for regular duty. Plus the space behind the 3rd row is pretty limited and the 3rd row does not split 50/50 or 60/40. That alone is enough to rule it out for me - not sure what Toyota was thinking. Lastly, the exterior styling is boring, IMO.

 

I agree - I saw the Highlander at the auto show and I just can't imagine it working for us with the backseat the way it is. Anyway, what is it with Toyota interiors lately. I owned a Supra a number of years ago and it was awesome inside and out. But they really do seem cheap these days. We compared a Honda Odyssey to a Toyota Sienna. For $35k+ I couldn't believe how drab and cheap the Toyota looked inside.