Lots: - Excellent ergonomics - Lots of space - Really wide - Great ride - Quiet - Handles well - Brakes well - Good AWD system - Rattle free and seems well put together

- Terrible tires - Poor tonal balance on sounds system - So-so gas mileage compared to rating - Leather does not seem like it will hold up - Limited cargo space when third seat is up - Really wide - Needs flip up glass on tail gate - Tonneau cover rattles - Expensive accessories: Don't buy at the dealer, get on the web

I have rented many SUVs and this is the first one we purchased. We were looking at the Pilot, Murano, Pathfinder, Highlander, and Explorer. In terms of features, the Explorer is closest, but reliability is poor. Highlander and Murano too small so we went with the Pilot. There are a lot of good things. It drives very well. Smooth, good brakes, good handling for an SUV, quiet, comfortable. The drive is more like a large luxury car than an SUV. It is very peppy. And if you put in premium, you get even a little extra out of it [something tells me there is no difference from the new 260HP MDX engine which does it on premium, or at least little.]. Seats are comfortable in the front and middle. The rear seat is cramped, but it is there primarily for kids and in a few short months we have used it many times. Of course, there are some weaknesses. - The tires are crap, crap, crap. Goodyear Integrity radials are terrible. I think these were choosed purely on cost and low rolling resistance for good gas mileage. Even KIA puts good tires on their best SUV. Honda should be ashamed for using these. We had plenty of chance to try them in the snow and they were not very good. The AWD system on the Pilot is good, but that does not help for stopping, turning, etc. and these tires were awful. I would negotiate for a set of Michelin Cross-Terrains. - The tonal balance of the sound system is so-so. There is way too much bass. CD's sound good but the bass is excessive, but FM radio is awful with no highs and too much bass. No amount of adjustments fix this. Infinity sells some speakers that fit the doors well I here. - We went for the leather. It is perforated leather. The leather on the drivers seat is already saggy in two months and we have a small tear when something got caught in one of the perforations. I get the impression the leather is not going to hold up well. I think for an SUV, solid leather would be more sturdy. - We purchased the tonneau cover for the cargo area. It rattles a bit and the seat belts interfere with the placement. - Gas mileage is so-so. We have not towed anything large with it, only about 1,500lbs. It was like it wasn't even there, which is good. One change I would make if I was Honda would be to add flip up glass on the tail gate.

Similar Products Used:

- Ford Explorer (rented about 20 times) - Ford Escape - Nissan Pathfinder

4WD system works great I got stuck in the mud and all 4 wheels efficently turned but as I was highsided on my muffler I had to get pulled out. Ergonomic's were really taken into consideration I am 6-5 and 300 lbs and I fir like a glove.

The Ground clearance at 8.3 inches is a little deceiving because the axle shape relaly takes a lot of room right in front of the wheel so this needs to be taken into consideration for even the most tame of Off road events.

Beautiful interior, very roomy and spacious. It was like getting in my FJ60 Landcruiser for the first time. I expected the little pilot to be small and I was shocked at how bit it is.

Similar Products Used:

Highlander Landcruiser

Ride, room, front seat comfort, visability, smooth engine, regular unleaded gas

usually price not flexable (but good at Huggins), paint had some irregularities (sagebrush pearl), fit problems (plastic panels not lined up), road noise, no teather on gas cap.

Traded in Ford Escape. Much nicer ride and more room. Less pep though. Got the EX-L at a price I never expected and full Carmax wholesale trade value on Escape. 4.10% 60 month financing also. Fit, finish and paint not up to Honda's previous standards (3rd Honda). Dealers in general think they are gods gifts to auto buyers and generally hard to negotiate with.

Similar Products Used:

Ford Escape V6, Jeep Cherokee, Chevy Tahoe

Everything! I love this SUV

I'd love a sun/moon roof. The gas cap should be on a tether. I wish the was a button inside to be able to open the back liftgate automatically.

The Pilot is the absolute perfect SUV. I've had mine since July of 2002 and I've never had a problem with it. The ride is smooth and supple. I LOVE all the space inside along with the numerous cubby holes to stash stuff. I felt the Pilot offered a lot of bang for the buck considering the Toyota dealer wanted to make me pay for floor mats (the cheap kind) which should come standard. Overall, the Pilot is top notch

Designed around typical family use. Reputation of Honda More useful features than excessive ones.

High Demand - Low supply - Higher Price No available Sun Roof

Honda did a great job designing the Pilot with the typical SUV owner demographic in mind. From the type of all-wheel traction system to the design of the cargo/stuff holders, this car is ideal for the urbanite-sometimes in the snow/dirt road-usually hauling family around town driver. This SUV is for those who like the versatility of an SUV, but still want to consider themselves practical. It's roomy, but not a boat like some SUVs. The ride is confortable, the engine has plenty of power, and the Pilot has been recogned as one of the lowest emmission SUVs. The Pilot has gotten very good safety ratings. The Pilot is not a true 4WD, but it can handle the moderate snow, mud, and dirt roads that most folks will encounter. The ability to chose between a large cargo area or a third row for the kids (and the third row is only big enough for smaller bodies) is a another plus. The exterior and interior styling is not striking or original, but is comfortable and pleasant. The stereo on EX model is surpisingly good for a stock stereo. The cost of the Pilot can be a limiting factor due to the low number of Pilots available at dealers. Some dealers just won't budge from the above MSRP price they are asking. You'll have to shop around. A sun/moon roof is not an available feature and that is a drawback. In short is designed to be a very good family vehicle and in fact is. The minor drawbacks to the vehicle are far outweighed by the features of the Pilot.

Similar Products Used:

2003 4Runner 2002 TrialBlazer

Super comfortable High quality materials 4WD V6 plus Honda/Acura reliability Smooth ride

Honda Civic sound system with the LX model 4400 pounds

I bought the Pilot because I love the Acura MDX and I can't afford it for now. I drove the Pilot from North Carolina to Boston during the winter and the car did great in the snow. The SUV has 10K miles and 0 problems so far. First oil change was at 7500 miles -dealer suggests every 3750 but I'm following the owner's manual. If you can afford 40K get the MDX, but if your budget is from 27 to 32K get the Pilot EX with leather and DVD. This SUV is one of the best around.

Similar Products Used:

VW Jetta (nightmare) Acura RSX (good)

Drives like a great car, good control around corners and an overall safe feeling. The inside package is awesome! Loads of storage space, good stereo system and speakers. Also, third row seats.

The only real disappointing factor about my Pilot is that my particular cell phone doesn't fit properly in the phone caddy. I'm going right out for a new phone!

I had no idea how much I would love my new Pilot and I traded in a Volvo sedan! I decided that we needed a larger vehicle for travelling, toting, etc. I began my search and research on mid-size SUVs that get better than terrible gas mileage. Reviews for the Pilot were consistent and excellent. While the body of the Pilot is less than exciting, it does offer a classic good look. The real bonus is driving one, great control and comfort.

Similar Products Used:

Nissan Murano, MDX (also great but $4000 more), Ford Explorer, Pathfinder, Infiniti,

cargo room smooth shifting safety High seats

could be a little more product for the MSRP passenger seat should be powered sunroof should be standard larger wheels

Being a Honda veteran, I expected the best out of this SUV(after waiting for Honda to trash the passport) and I must say I wasn't disappointed. From the smooth shifting to the number of cup holders, the Pilot is a dream come true. Even with the things I don't like about the Pilot, it still out rates every other SUV in it's class

Mentioned above in review.

Gear shift lever takes a little getting used to. Inside door panel is too easy to scuff when you remove the seatbelt, and the metal latch hits it on the return retraction.

Just leased a pilot ex-l in August 02 because the lease was up on my Durango. Wow, What a difference! Best vehicle that I have ever owned so far. Very comfortable plently of room. Excellent engine and transmission operation. Fuel mileage 16.5 in the city , 21.8 hwy. Durango would do 12 in the city and 14 on the highway. Andy probably would think this was better mileage. At 45,000mi, I had to spend $1,100 on the transmission on the Durango right before my lease was up. Godd ole detroit quality. Everytime I drive the pilot, I am amazed at how superior it is compared to other SUV's I shopped. Bravo Honda!

Similar Products Used:

Durango, Town and Country Van

"Simple is Beautiful" exterior design User friendly dash and control cluster Softer comfortable ride Smart sized More bang for the buck Flexible seating

No sliding forward & back adjustment on the 2nd row seat. This would resolve legroom problem on the 3rd row seating.

My 4th Honda, just like I expected, highly innovative. Honda did it again and this time with the mid-size SUV. Well thought out design such as the folding flush 2nd & 3rd row seats, VTM-4 AWD lock option, lots of storage, cup holders and ammenities in the cargo area just to name a few.

Similar Products Used:

2002 CRV EX