2008 Honda Pilot Consumer Reviews

Ok but not up to what I expected

Written by: Steve on 10/28/2009

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I sold a 4-runner when getting this, and despite it being a Honda, it has been far more problematic than it should be. I'll start with the pros though... Pros: Comfortable seats, roomy, third row, good view out, good power. Cons: Handling is boatlike around corners, road noise is more than I would have wanted, the interior has so many squeaks and rattles that I've given up having it at the dealership to fix them, various delivery defect: tire belt problem, warped rear brake rotor, multiple key FOB problems. I am hoping that the long term reliability outweighs the various downsides.

Favorite Features

Room, tons of it for people and cargo. Seats are comfortable, and the kids like the back seat more than in any other car.

Suggested Improvements

Interior integrity, delivery quality control, and road noise. Though the road noise isn't all bad - it does help conceal the squeaking from the interior.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Brakes & radio

Written by: patricia logsdon on 10/27/2009

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I like my Honda pilot but at 25,000 miles my radio went shot, had to be replaced, and then I was told my back brakes had to be replaced at 25,000 miles. That's pretty bad when you can't even get at least 75,000 miles out of a new car. Not really happy right now.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Needs better material, stains really bad, very hard to clean.

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A great People and Stuff Mover

Written by: S Oswald on 08/13/2009

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot Special Edition 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is my favorite vehicle to drive. I'm not sure what is different about my Pilot, but I've got plenty of acceleration on demand. So much so, I've caught myself by surprise and squealed the tires while leaving a parking lot. I've never owned a new car before but I came into this expecting Honda reliability and my Pilot has kept up its end of the bargain. The only parts that have needed replacement or adjustment were minor and the dealer replaced them quickly and under warranty. Fuel economy is better than the EPA estimate with 24 average MPG on the interstate, city mileage is worse at 14 average MPG but I live in a city with quite a few hills.

Favorite Features

The automatic air conditioning controls. I set it for 68 degrees and it makes it happen. I love it!

Suggested Improvements

Honda should offer a Hybrid option for this vehicle. It seems like a simple task and the benefits would drastically outweigh the cost. Also, If a vehicle is sold with a roof rack, it should come with the cross bars so one could actually use the roof rack. Gotta remember that for next time.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Well built but ordinary

Written by: mkarstad on 01/26/2009

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD w/Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Driving in the Canadian winter is not fun, yet the Pilot, even at -45 degrees C runs fine. The traction assist will catch you unaware on ice corners and might cause you to over-correct. The get-up-and-go on ice is fantastic! Cold starts without plugging in are no problem, and the engine warms up very quickly. Feild of view for a tall person is limited by the side pillars I find myself leaning forward and back with a lot of head movement while checking intersections.

Favorite Features

The variability of the cargo space. This vehicle has great pickup.

Suggested Improvements

The entertainment system controls for front and back are confusing. The base is too loud in the back and can not be balanced comfortably for all seat locations. Coffee cup holder is really poorly located for the driver!

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Just what a starting family needed

Written by: Out of 714 on 12/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We got the outgoing 2008 Pilot EX-L at a great deal as the 2009's were coming in later that month. We are glad we went with the Pilot as this is my 4th Honda product. Chose the mocha metallic with saddle leather seats. The lighter color gave it the sense of more room and upscale over the gray available in the darker models. Lots of room for the baby's carseat and easy hook up to the latches. Tons of room in cargo area with 3rd row folded. Stroller and groceries fit with room to spare. Engine is very smooth and eases with on ramps and passing. The interior is a little dated, but after 5 years of this model, Honda has worked out all the bugs by now

Favorite Features

Seat warmers, conversation mirror, tons of storage, center console, XM radio high view of road, overall fit and finish, great visibility throughout.

Suggested Improvements

Needs iPod aux, trip computer, dual climate for front passengers, auto lights, road noise on some rough pavement is loud.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Love this truck!

Written by: Jen on 09/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We traded in my 2001 Honda Civic for the Pilot. Like other reviewers, we looked at the MDX, Highlander etc. This was my favorite by far. I love the look of this truck vs a cross over. I feel like I have a presence on the road and I love looking at the car. The interior could be a little more fashionable It is pretty simple but it has plenty of storage space and room for all passengers. We recently had 6 adults in the car for an hour and everyone was comfortable. Comfortable, fun to drive, great leather and XM. Who wouldn't love this vehicle? I see a lot of complaining about the gas mileage. I am getting about 17- 18 mpg in city and 20 mpg if I am on the freeway. Pretty good!

Favorite Features

Leather, heated seats XM, storage, cargo room, exterior looks.

Suggested Improvements

More plugs, air for third row, power tailgate.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Road Noise

Written by: Vee on 09/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD w/Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

August 27th, 2008, I took my 2001 4Runner Limited to trade for 2008 Pilot AWD w/entertainment. I need more than five seats and like Pilot appealing. I have a big disappointment, ROAD NOISE! Here is my two cents for potential buyer, test drives on freeway, drive on a road with speed 40 mph or more and try to open back windows. It could break your EARDRUM. I learned how to overcome the road noise by turning on radio as loud as I can take every time I get on freeway.

Favorite Features

Great looking car.

Suggested Improvements

reduce road noise, reduce road noise, and reduce road noise.

9 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Airbags failed to deploy

Written by: nguyenlp on 08/31/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot Value Package 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I loved my Pilot the whole time I had it. Recently I was involved in a accident where I rear ended a sedan and another SUV rear ended me. myself and the other 5 passengers were all safe, but my airbags failed to deploy; none of them. My radiator was busted, but still no airbags. I filed a complaint with Honda, but have not received a response. The NHTSA is also looking in to the matter. My insurance company told me that I hit above the airbag sensors. I'm no expert on sensors, but rear ended a sedan! My radiator was busted! The only thing I want to know is where were my airbags when I needed them?

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

More Airbag sensors! or maybe some that works!

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Best SUV of it's Class

Written by: Allan from Maryland on 08/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD w/Rear Entertainment System (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have owned SUVs from Expeditions to Escapes and this was my third Honda purchase (never disappointed with Hondas). I love this SUV. The exterior is nice, nothing too special but as a family man I don't really care. What matters to me is a great vehicle for me and the family. We have two kids and the problem was taking along their friends. This vehicle is large enough for the family with friends and their stuff. I also drive this daily to work through narrow city streets. It's a pleasure to drive. Good acceleration, great handling and fun to drive.

Favorite Features

Drives exceptionally well. Great handling in all weather. Great vision for driver. Easy to use controls. Lots of room. Good rear video. Solid climate control. Okay stereo, won't bust out the windows but I love xm radio (ESPN and BBC are my favorites)

Suggested Improvements

Clearly Honda engineers don't have kids in car seats. The starboard (right) side third row seat belt cannot be clipped because the receiver sits underneath any normal car seat. I ended up buying a $90 car seat because it was the only model that had a narrow base to allow it to work. Shame on Honda

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Don't look for qas mileage

Written by: shoulda checked more on 08/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Honda Pilot Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased our Pilot in May of this year, while we like the ride, although the road noise is pretty bad, we feel safe in it and it is comfortable. However do not expect to come close to the EPA estimates on the window sticker, the last tank of gas was primarily in town driving, we got 10 mpg, the best we have gotten on the road was 18 mpg. We have 6000 miles on it and we are looking for something else in and SUV that will come closer to the EPA est. Our 36 foot motor home gets 8 mpg, so go figure.

Favorite Features

comfort and handling, although cornering is a little substandard

Suggested Improvements

try to eliminate some road noise, put realistic EPA est. on window

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

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