2005 Honda Pilot
- Size: Full-Size
- Engine Size: 3.5L - 6 Cylinders
- Style: Crossover
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Model: Pilot
- Year: 2005
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Beats my old Explorer hands down!
Pros
Comfortable ride, lots of room, car-like handling, nice sound system. Honda reliability.
Cons
None
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Great crossover mid-size SUV with the room of many large SUVs. Great for soccer moms or large families that like to hit the road.
General
This vehicle is large by midsize SUV standards. It seats 8 people although I would only subject a child or short adult to the third row seats. We have had this vehicle about 5 months now-no problems whatsoever. No recalls, no nuisances. Compared to my 1998 Explorer, it is a welcome change. It is wider and roomier, much-much quieter and far more comfortable. Good power with the 255 HP V6. We compared with the Toyota Highlander, Chrysler Pacifica and wagons from VW, Volvo and Subaru before selecting the Pilot. We leased this vehicle rather than buy due to the very favorable terms offered by Honda. The dealer allowed 15k miles per year at the same lease cost of 12k miles to close the deal.
Comfort
We have the EX version with cloth seats. I like the cloth better than the leather in my old SUV. It breathes and is not so slippery. Also, these seats are so comfortable you will not want to get out of them. The sound system is amazing on the EX-the subwoofer in the back makes all the difference in sound quality. The EX has a 6 disk changer in the dash in addition to a single disk CD. We can load up all the CDs for a 5 hour drive to the coast and never have to fool with a bunch of CD cases. But if you need to change the CDs, they are right there in the dash and not in the trunk or the back. Very smart, these Honda engineers! This Honda Pilot ride is so smooth, that you think you are in a sedan rather than an SUV. The doors are solid and sound heavy, but are easy to handle. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned.
Maintenance
I have changed the oil once at 3750 miles and other than that, have not seen the inside of a service center. We are at about 5000 miles on the odometer at this point. Honda reliability is not a rumor. I now have 4 Hondas in my family with 5 drivers, a 1991 Accord EX with 160k miles, a 1993 Civic DX with 110k and a 2000 Civic LX with 80k. I know this review is about the Pilot, but the family heritage of reliability is worth noting.
Performance
Gas mileage is about 15 MPG around town and 22 MPG on the highway. My wife once got 24 MPG traveling by herself on the 5 hour drive to the coast from Atlanta. No complaints about fuel consumption given the size of the vehicle. The V6 engine has plenty of power. It doesn't snap off the line, but up at highway speeds where it really counts, it accelerates well. All Pilots are automatic 4WD. Living in the South, I haven't had the chance to try it in the snow, but the vehicle is very sure footed on wet pavement. Due to the large size of the vehicle, braking distance is considerably longer than a sedan, but the brakes are smooth and no fade is noticeable. Handling is pretty good for a SUV. In my old Explorer, I was always conscious of body roll in a turn. I don't even think about body roll in the Pilot; it feels much closer in handling to my Accord than to the Explorer.
The Bottom Line
Very roomy and comfortable mid-large size SUV. Good power and highway fuel economy from the 255HP V6. Great sound system. This is a great vehicle for a large family. This is everyone's favorite "car" to drive in my family.
This vehicle is large by midsize SUV standards. It seats 8 people although I would only subject a child or short adult to the third row seats. We have had this vehicle about 5 months now-no problems whatsoever. No recalls, no nuisances. Compared to my 1998 Explorer, it is a welcome change. It is wider and roomier, much-much quieter and far more comfortable. Good power with the 255 HP V6. We compared with the Toyota Highlander, Chrysler Pacifica and wagons from VW, Volvo and Subaru before selecting the Pilot. We leased this vehicle rather than buy due to the very favorable terms offered by Honda. The dealer allowed 15k miles per year at the same lease cost of 12k miles to close the deal.
Comfort
We have the EX version with cloth seats. I like the cloth better than the leather in my old SUV. It breathes and is not so slippery. Also, these seats are so comfortable you will not want to get out of them. The sound system is amazing on the EX-the subwoofer in the back makes all the difference in sound quality. The EX has a 6 disk changer in the dash in addition to a single disk CD. We can load up all the CDs for a 5 hour drive to the coast and never have to fool with a bunch of CD cases. But if you need to change the CDs, they are right there in the dash and not in the trunk or the back. Very smart, these Honda engineers! This Honda Pilot ride is so smooth, that you think you are in a sedan rather than an SUV. The doors are solid and sound heavy, but are easy to handle. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned.
Maintenance
I have changed the oil once at 3750 miles and other than that, have not seen the inside of a service center. We are at about 5000 miles on the odometer at this point. Honda reliability is not a rumor. I now have 4 Hondas in my family with 5 drivers, a 1991 Accord EX with 160k miles, a 1993 Civic DX with 110k and a 2000 Civic LX with 80k. I know this review is about the Pilot, but the family heritage of reliability is worth noting.
Performance
Gas mileage is about 15 MPG around town and 22 MPG on the highway. My wife once got 24 MPG traveling by herself on the 5 hour drive to the coast from Atlanta. No complaints about fuel consumption given the size of the vehicle. The V6 engine has plenty of power. It doesn't snap off the line, but up at highway speeds where it really counts, it accelerates well. All Pilots are automatic 4WD. Living in the South, I haven't had the chance to try it in the snow, but the vehicle is very sure footed on wet pavement. Due to the large size of the vehicle, braking distance is considerably longer than a sedan, but the brakes are smooth and no fade is noticeable. Handling is pretty good for a SUV. In my old Explorer, I was always conscious of body roll in a turn. I don't even think about body roll in the Pilot; it feels much closer in handling to my Accord than to the Explorer.
The Bottom Line
Very roomy and comfortable mid-large size SUV. Good power and highway fuel economy from the 255HP V6. Great sound system. This is a great vehicle for a large family. This is everyone's favorite "car" to drive in my family.
