'09 Honda Pilot vs '06-'08, or something similar?

[airmide]

Does anyone here have opinions on the '09 pilot compared to the '06 to '08's? On informedforlife the '09 is getting worse safety ratings and I'm wondering if that's due to incomplete data at this point, or is it actually less safe? At the dealership they were explaining something about new body consruction with crumple zones that defer damage to the back rather than through the passenger area. That sure *seems* like it would be safer!

We don't currently have any kids or carseats, but we are going to be doing our second IVF in a couple months and also looking into foster parenting (off topic, if anyone has any info on foster parenting especially in Oregon, please contact me!). So we are hoping we have good chances of needing that third row seating!

We test drove the '09 Pilot and both *loved* it! We also test drove the '09 Acura MDX and despite the better safety ratings we, for various reasons, were just really uncomfortable in it!

Safety is our primary goal. Other desires which probably conflict are: seating and cargo space, manuverability, reliability, resale value, and gas mileage (which I think we've virtually given up on).

Unless there is a huge reason to change our minds, we are staying away from American made, for reliability and resale reasons. And my husband is anti-van. As far as I can tell it's because he thinks they are unwieldly, not made well, and don't hold up. I don't really have any opinion one way or the other on vans, so maybe we'll try considering that for a second vehicle eventually, but for now I'm content to stay with SUV's.

So is there anything that is WAY better than the Pilot in any way, or anything about the Pilot that is just terrible that I haven't considered? Which is better, the '09 or the '06 to '08?

Thanks so much for any help or information you can provide!

~Airmide

[TechnoGranola]

At informedforlife.org, the '09 was assigned an "average" rating for rear impact fatality risk because it hasn't been assessed by the IIHS in that regard. The '08 received a "good" for rear impact (the best score) which ups its overall rating. If we were to assume that the '09 Pilot also will get a "good", then it's rating will end up being 57.5, which is .2 better than the '08. Even so, they are only at a 2 point difference right now.

We've got an '08 MDX (same as the '09) and the '09 Pilot now shares the same platform as the MDX. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our MDX. Surprised you were uncomfortable in it, everyone in our family found the seats to be the most comfortable out of any vehicle we test drove (and we drove a LOT). The rear heated seats were a big seller for our older child who is recently out of a booster seat. the MDX handles AMAZING. Seriously, the sport model (here in Canada we call it the "Elite") has an active damper suspension that changes as you drive and take corners to give you the best ride. You feel like you're driving a sport sedan! But hey, everyone has different preferences and the Pilot is awesome as well! If I was choosing between the '09 Pilot or the prior generation, I'd totally pick an '09. I'd also give the MDX a 2nd test drive.... ;)

[airmide]

Wow, thanks for the prompt and thoughtful response!!

I am wishing I knew more about vehicles in general right now. I read that the Pilot is on the Accord chassis. Is that still correct? And what does that really mean?

Thanks for the confirmation in what I was thinking on the informedforlife stats not being fully up to date and accurate. Is there some easy way to see on there when they are making an assumption? I wish THEY had a forum!

I'm also still wondering if the new body construction will have any impact, positive or negative on safety.

I agree, the heated middle seats are an awesome feature on the MDX!! I really wish those were available on the Pilot, especially since I anticipate riding back there myself to be with the kids at least sometimes.

My husband said that he felt like the Pilot was easier to handle and had more "get up and go". He felt like it was difficult to look over his left shoulder in the MDX and that there was a huge blind spot. I felt from the passenger seat that it was difficult to look over my shoulder, and I was thinking with kids in the back, that would REALLY bother me. We also like that the Pilot has seating available for 8 rather than 7.

Since we don't already have any carseats or know which kind we will end up with....are there any seats or configurations that just really do NOT work with the '09 pilot? Are there any other things I'm forgetting to ask?

[codex57]

New body construction should have a better impact on safety. Honda and Toyota are some of the top companies that don't mess around with safety. Sounds like you don't need to worry about the informedforlife rating since it's based on imcomplete testing.

Technically, the Pilot was based on the Accord chassis, but only very loosely. Way back when, Honda decided to make a minivan. They took the Accord chassis, stretched it, and created the Odyssey. From the Odyssey came the MDX, Pilot, and Ridgeline. All have their own slight to moderate changes on the Odyssey chassis. Of course, there have been 1 or more generational updates so the chassis have changed even more. So, if you go back through the genes, the Pilot is loosely based off the Accord, but by now, it's more like 4th cousins instead of twins.

[rodentranger]

I love my older Pilot. I recommend checking out hondapilot.org. It's ALL Pilot owners!

[lodonal65]

I love my older Pilot. I recommend checking out hondapilot.org. It's ALL Pilot owners!

That's a great place for info on Pilots.
I have an '06 and :love::love::love: it!
However, the coolest things about the '09 Pilot are it has Lower anchors in all 3 2nd row seating positions and one set of lower anchors in the passenger 3rd row. All rear seating positions have tether anchors.

[Melanie]

I looked at both the 09 & 08 side by side recently. IMO, the 09 is a bit better than the 08 & before. The 09 will give you more room behind the third row, the 09 has LATCH (including bottom anchors) in all 3 spots in the second row and 1 set in the third row. The older versions only have 2 spots w/bottom anchors-outboard 2nd row. The headrests must be removed in the older version to lay the third row seat down. They don't in the 09. I happen to like the 09's styling better too, but some people don't.

[airmide]

Thanks for all the replies!

I just joined at hondapilot.org and am starting to browse the knowledge base articles.

[TechnoGranola]

I am wishing I knew more about vehicles in general right now. I read that the Pilot is on the Accord chassis. Is that still correct? And what does that really mean? The '09 Pilot is on the same platform as the '07+ MDX.


Thanks for the confirmation in what I was thinking on the informedforlife stats not being fully up to date and accurate. Is there some easy way to see on there when they are making an assumption? I wish THEY had a forum!On the main page, near the the top right, enter the vehicle you are interested in. You will get the main page for that vehicle. It will show the NHTSA and IIHS scores, if you see a ~ that means there is no assessment. Then, you will see the scores. The description of the scores tells you what an average vehicle will get. An average score is assigned for any items there was a ~.


My husband said that he felt like the Pilot was easier to handle and had more "get up and go".Hee-hee. He definitely wasn't driving the MDX right. :D Seriously though, it drives like a sports sedan. It is quick and agile. I can easily out corner the majority of vehicle driving beside me without even trying. It just sinks into the corners without any lean, quite amazing really. It doesn't drive like your average SUV though, so it feels a little strange at first. At first we though we preferred how the Toyota Highlander drove. Until we drove the MDX more than once. Then we realized the Highlander was "soft". Like I said though, the Pilot is an awesome vehicle as well. You can't go wrong with a Pilot. (The MDX does tow more by 500 pounds if you think you'll be doing any towing.)