Comparison Test Countdown: #5 2009 Honda Pilot Touring
It doesn't get more dead last than the 2009 Honda Pilot. When we tallied up the scores (5 points for a first-place editor pick, 1 point for last), there was a whopping 16.8-point difference between the #5 Pilot and the #4 crossover. Only one editor picked it higher than last in either scoring category. However, the Pilot isn't some Yugo-like automotive disaster -- it could have done much better.
Read the complete 2009 Honda Pilot Review
There were definite high points that would have made the Pilot attractive to most families. The cabin space afforded by that boxy shape is impressive, with a tremendous amount of useful cargo room and the most spacious third-row seat. A high hip point and loads of head room made both rear rows comfortable for even our token 6-foot-3 editor. The driver seat was deemed to be the most comfortable of the bunch, while the driving position was also hailed. The Pilot had the most innovative, plentiful and useful cabin storage as well, particularly the three-part center console. The Honda was also the only vehicle in the test to offer an integrated iPod connection and it's excellent -- both for its direct iPod control and the best-of-test sound quality.
So the Pilot would have performed better, but still probably not best. Especially since few vehicles have been as polarizing amongst our group of editors as the 2009 Honda Pilot. Some thought the roughly textured black plastic that covers much of the dash looked and felt cheap, while others appreciated the low sheen and didn't think it was cheap at all, ranking it high among the group. Some were agast by the 55-some buttons on the dash, while others liked how the stereo/navigation controls became intuitive (although everyone thought the climate controls were needlessly busy). Finally, while everyone noted the steering's overtly slow ratio, some scored it high, while others placed it near the bottom.
In the end, though, the Pilot fell flat on its anime-inspired face because of unacceptably poor braking performance and meager power. Although the brake pedal has a progressive, solid feel to it, it instills a false sense of confidence. At our test track, the Pilot came to a stop from 60 mph in a huge 149 feet -- 18 feet longer than the next-longest Toyota (the Hyundai and Buick were tested earlier as part of standard long-term testing). This factor alone was enough to drop the Pilot to last in each editors' recommended category -- we simply couldn't tell friends or family to buy a car that stopped this poorly.
The worst acceleration in the group didn't help either -- the Pilot feels powerful enough around town, but when trying to pass on the highway or charge up an onramp, it quickly runs out of steam. Worse yet, fuel economy was equal to the more robust Buick.
In the end, the Pilot got the little things right, but failed on the fundamentals. That's good enough for dead last.
Pick Score: 7
Recommended Score: 5
Weighted Total Score (40/60%): 11.6
Each editor ranked each crossover from first to last for what they would personally buy (picks) and what they suggest the average consumer buy (recommended). First place was awarded five points, last place got one.
- Posted by
- James Riswick July 8, 2008, 12:30 PM
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- Car Buying
I saw a 2009 Honda Pilot three days ago. I thought it was very ugly.
Those braking distances are totally unacceptable, so are the acceleration numbers, I'm not saying it has to be fast with 400HP/TQ and have 4Piston calipers with 16 inch vented Rotors(although they would help the fade), they really should stop being so cheap with the powertrain and give it a six speed automatic, + competent braking system. Because with as many people this thing can seat, with it fully loaded, IMO it would be scary, barely being able to get out of the way for a Prius, and stopping through an intersection, thanks to portly weight, and underpowered V6(matched to a 5-speed automatic), and horrible brakes borrowed directly from out of the parts bin with no thought put into them. A simple upgrade in brake pad material could fix the fade issue.
It is funning, it seems that the old pilot was better than this one. Even when the old Pilot was 4-5 years old, it was still winning comparsion tests against new competition. What gives?
Shame about the weak powertrain. Perhaps they'll bump the displacement in a year or two. I do have to agree that braking performance is unacceptable, and combined with Honda's reputation for brake rotor issues, it would keep me from buying one. But...
Best seats, roomiest third row, most storage, best sound system. Let's face it, that's what matters in this segment. I suspect most Honda people don't even consider the competition because of the perceived reliability. They'll sit in it, ooh and aah at the mutli-level storage console, take a 5-minute test drive around the block, and drive away happy. Honda will sell plenty of these fugly things.
^^Bingo^^
I doubt it, the people that bought the first sorta ugly Pilot have generally said they really hate the exterior design on this new one, and with some of the reviews on this site, some of the owners have thrown the Honda Reliability thing out of the window. Same can be said for a lot of people having issues with their 8th gen Civic's paint, and the 7th gens various issues.
The fact that they're touting this thing as Fuel Efficient because of VCM is hilarious.