2009 Honda Pilot Consumer Reviews Page 6

Holy monkey!!

Written by: Spectre357 on 04/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

For something with the aerodynamics of an apartment building, this thing is a nice ride. It's exceptionally quiet, even over marginal pavement or at higher speeds. Seats are extremely comfortable even after several hours of driving. Interior is very roomy - even the 3rd row. I had a 6-foot co-worker back there, and with the 2nd row shifted forward slightly, he said it was comfortable enough for a cross-town jaunt. Engine has a enough grunt to cruise very nicely at 90MPH. Ride is smooth with minimal body roll on turns. The build and design are typical Honda - everything's well laid out (overall), and controls and surfaces have a good tactile feel - some minor styling quibbles (IMHO.)

Favorite Features

1. Ultra quiet ride - you can clearly hear two people in the third row having a conversation while doing 85 on the freeway. 2. USB port for audio ROCKS!! I have a 120GB SSD with ~800 CD's plugged into it. 3. A/C can cool a small house, and quickly at that. Good to have here in SoCal.

Suggested Improvements

1. Get rid of the circa 1980, K-car pseudo-frosted glass trim on the console center stack. 2. Put another 115V receptacle in the cargo area. 3. Give us HD radio - it's 2009 for crying out loud, it's time. 4. Glove box will hold a PB&J sandwich and that's about it. 5. Audio system has harsh treble.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report It

2nd Pilot - Worth the Wait!

Written by: Valerie on 04/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is the 2nd Honda Pilot that I have owned. Previously, I had the 2005 Honda Pilot under a lease program. I ordered my 2009 Honda Pilot in Feb 2008. It arrived in June 2008. It was worth the wait. I purchased this one, it was better than leasing it. I have been a Honda fan since 1994. This truck has everything I wanted in a truck and more. Look no further!

Favorite Features

Bluetooth handsfree while driving, automatice seat adjustment, rear-view camera, remote start

Suggested Improvements

I had a remote start installed when it arrived. You have to use the key in the door in order to unlock and get in the vehicle. In my other pilot, you were able to unlock while the vehicle was still running. Need to work on the remote start with the 09 Honda Pilot, add as feature, & add running boards.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report It

Best Honda I have ever owned!!!

Written by: Hondalover on 04/15/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV w/Nav (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is the 4th Pilot I have owned and it is by far the best one yet!! I can't believe all of the extra features on the 09 model. The ride and drive is awesome. I love the automatic back hatch. The bluetooth is great once you have it set up. It is very roomy and comfortable. The navigation system and backup camera are much bigger and clearer. You will not find a car with more features and comfort for the price.

Favorite Features

Navigation system, bluetooth system, automatic back hatch, Ipod and backup sensors.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage - but what do you expect from a SUV.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report It

Functional Delight

Written by: Mick on 04/14/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV w/Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is my second Honda after owning a '90 Accord LX that I've long touted as the best vehicle I've ever owned. It was an easy choice after shopping the Toyota 4Runner that didn't have the interior space or standard 3rd row seating and the Nissan Pathfinder that lacked interior refinement and the confusing array of packages that came standard with my EX-L. Honda has definitely put a lot of thought into this vehicle. It has been a thrill learning all the things this vehicle is capable of and with all the interior space it keeps my two boys separated and comfortable on long excursions.

Favorite Features

Rear view camera, XM Radio, Opening rear hatch glass, Detachable rear remote, and auto up/down front windows.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy and maybe mirror turn signals on the EX models.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report It

Best in class SUV Hands Down for the $$$

Written by: Wes on 04/14/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have had this vehicle close to 3 months now and I love it!!! I test drove the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, and the Pilot. The Pilot blew away the competition in the areas of ride quality, ease and accessibility, to the 2nd and 3rd row seats, well thought out storage. This Touring model has everything you would need. I love the instrumentation cluster, the integrated IPOD capability, heated seats, NAV. It's actually pretty easy to park this big rig because of the parking sensors and slick rear camera. My daughter enjoys the DVD rear entertainment system with wireless headphones. The 3 zone Climate control is great. Voice command, Hands free link, bluetooth are a dream come true

Favorite Features

Great looking instrumentation cluster, Storage throughout the vehicle, Integrated IPOD connectivity, heated seats, NAV, bluetooth, hands free link, voice commands, great controls on the steering wheel. Smooth ride. A breeze to flip down 2nd and 3rd row seats. Auto angle down mirrors on reverse.

Suggested Improvements

Not much - this truck is SOLID with a CAPITAL S!!!! - Add Blind spot detection for the outside mirrors with audible and visual alerts and it would be purrrrrrfect!!!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report It

Bluetooth phone not very good

Written by: Nancy on 04/11/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have had my Pilot since Sept 08. It is my 5th new Honda but my first SUV ever. I was a little unsure if I'd like a larger vehicle, but I really like driving the Pilot. Being higher makes it much easier to see, plus I feel safer on the road. I love everything about my Pilot EXCEPT I was really looking forward to the hands- free Bluetooth phone integrated into the navigation/stereo system. I am very disappointed in its performance. The quality of the phone call on the other end is bad...I always have people telling me they can't hear me very well at all - they say I sound like I'm in a cave. Other than that negative, and the gas mileage which I don't love, I really like my Pilot!

Favorite Features

Comfort, safety, the XM. I also really like having the gearshift on the dashboard - it opens up the center console nicely!

Suggested Improvements

Something needs to be done about the Bluetooth hands free in order to bring it up to the quality that the rest of the vehicle has. It is most definitely sub-par.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report It

Our first Honda

Written by: Mike L on 04/05/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought our Pilot in October & have 11000 miles on it already & love it. It hasn't even had a squeak! Just returned from a 4850 mi trip from the Midwest to CA & return & ave 20.5mpg on Interstate, mountain & city driving while having the cargo area quite full, very pleased with that. Wish it had another 35HP in the mountains. Found the Nav MUCH easier to use than the 2005 Sienna we traded.

Favorite Features

Radio & Nav very easy to use. Second & 3rd row seats fold very easily. On long trips, driver's seat is very comfortable. Normally with a sun roof I don't get enough headroom, but on the Pilot I do

Suggested Improvements

Front cup holders poorly placed, they swallow up a 16oz cup & make it difficult to retrieve. Make memory seats go all the way back when key is removed. Make accessory outlet HOT all the time, not just when key is on. When interior lite is left on battery dies, need to fix this. 35extra HP for passing.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report It

Seats

Written by: tory on 04/01/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I just purchased this vehicle. I have had 2 other Honda's a 2003 Pilot and a 2006 Odyssey. I loved both of them and the seats. This new pilot has the worst seats, I can actually feel the wire in the back that is for the seat heater. I contacted Honda and they said to go look at another Honda Pilot 2009 and see if it had the same thing or if this was a defect. I did and I could also feel the wire. Has anyone else had this problem?

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Seats that do not have wires that you can feel. Glove box is too small.

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report It

A BIG Upgrade

Written by: Piloteer on 03/31/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This is my 3rd (and best) Pilot. It's basically a luxury car (feel and look) on the inside and a truck on the outside. I took mine fully loaded with four adults and gear on a 700-mile round trip and got 22mpg, primarily due to the variable cylinder management. The added dash displays make the driver smarter and more cognizant of maximizing opportunities. I'm very satisfied with this vehicle all around and recommend it highly. It's a buyer's market and mine (fully loaded with crossbars, all-weather mats, side steps, wood trim interior, appearance package) out the door with all taxes, tags, delivery, prep, etc. was under $35,000. Leverage your buying power and get one for yourself!

Favorite Features

Additional hands-free dashboard information, smoother ride, quieter cabin.

Suggested Improvements

Would like to see a hybrid option and larger wheels in the near future.

4 out 8 people found this review helpful

Report It

The SUV for car lovers

Written by: YJHB on 03/31/2009

Vehicle

2009 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)

Review

If I could give Honda/Acura a "20" in reliability, I would. My 06 Acura TL was feeling cramped with 2 car seats lodged in the back. We looked first at bigger cars, then sat in the back of a Honda Pilot and looked around. The thing has a LOT of family friendly amenities, and the rear temperature control is superb; it heats up quickly and stays at the set temperature. Driving it was a pleasant surprise to me, a gearhead car devotee. In short, it feels tight and light; body roll feels minimal, and it brakes and corners competently under moderate usage. It's the most car-like SUV I've ever driven. Acceleration is leisurely compared with my fast TL, but the kids are oh-so-much happier. TY HONDA!

Favorite Features

Eight comfortable to sit in and easy to get in seats. Although its large on the inside, it heats up quickly (I haven't had it long enough to know how quickly it cools down). Love the plentiful cup holders. You mash a button, and the tailgate opens - alternatively, you can also pop the rear glass.

Suggested Improvements

Come on, Honda - $40,000+ sticker on the top of the line Pilot, and you can't see clear to spring for the currently optional, nicer chromed grill to make it stand out???

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report It