Used 2003 Honda Pilot SUV Consumer Reviews
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Honda 1
This is the second Honda I have purchased. My first Honda has 90000 mile and I have not had one single problem. I expect the Pilot to perform as my first Honda has and still is. The Pilot is a very comfotable vehicle. I have also towed several cars and the Pilot was able to maintain 75/80 uphill and down. It handles very well and the gas mileage has averaged 22mpg at 13894 miles. For your dollar this vehicle is the best.
you'll love it!
My first SUV. Lots of room, comfortable 1st & 2nd row seats (haven't tried 3rd row yet), lots of leg room, easy to see out sides/back when turning/backing/changing lanes. Not as sporty as MDX (my initial first choice), but I am definitely pleased with my purchase. DON'T pay over MSRP. You just need to call around, but you can find one for sticker! Did I mention comfortable?! Kids will love DVD and plugging in their PS2 or other game system. I have a recently built Pilot (mid-Aug), and it seems the problems earlier owners were having are being corrected immediately on the line. So far, no problems here!
- EX 4dr SUV w/ LeatherMSRP: $9,99532 mi away
- EX 4dr SUV w/ LeatherMSRP: $3,495437 mi away
- EX 4dr SUV w/ LeatherMSRP: $6,699441 mi away
Honda Pilot EX - Black
Excellent vehicle with the exception of lack of telescopic steering column. Steering wheel column is too short. In order to avoid driving with your arms straight out you have to move the driver's seat up close which shortens the leg room.
Ready for take=off
This SUV rides like a champ-floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. Feels like I'm in a sedan with smooth automatic transmission and comfortable seats. Gages are all easily reachable, and the steering wheel has radio controll buttons to keep my eyes on the road.
New Owner
Granted, I just purchased this vehicle, and have been pleased overall.
Not what I expected
My wife and I just finished reviewing / test driving just about everything that you would look at when comparing mid- sized SUVs before deciding on either the Pilot or the Highlander. The Highlander outhandled the Pilot by a slight margin, but where the Highlander failed miserably (driver visibility, ergonomics, seating comfort, styling (God-awefull cheap looking fake wood in the Limitted model)), the Pilot excelled. And with performance margins virtually unnoticable between the two, it's an easy choice to go with the Pilots great interior vs. the Highlanders cheap Vitara-esque interior and comfort.
Best in class
I've owned several Hondas and an Acura. The first was a 1975 Honda Civic. The Pilot is a worthy successor. It's more comfortable than my top-of-the-line Acura, and it is the first Honda that allows me to sit up straight without my head touching the ceiling. The DVD player is well intergrated with the stereo and the 5 Star crash rating for an SUV makes this vehicle hard to beat.
Excellent SUV
We bought this vehicle last November and we absolutely love it. We drove north to Mont Tremblant in Canada from MA in February (pulling along our snowmobiles) and the ride was great. My brother had recently bought a Yukon and was sorry that he hadn't tried the Pilot first. We have had absolutely no issues with this vehicle to date (15k miles). The ride is just as smooth as the other Hondas I have owned. Our Pilot was imported from Canada so it has heated seats which is a big plus. Definitely worth the money (I only paid a few hundred dollars over invoice).
Comfortable, safe, we love it!
Only a month ago, we went from a mammoth SUV to the Pilot -- great move! So far the Pilot has been fun to drive because it's easy to maneuver and it responds well. Visibility is much better than in taller vehicles or air tunnel-designed cars. Inside the Pilot, changing from the third row to more cargo space is a breeze! The optional cargo mat protects the third row and rolls up easily when the third row is in use.
Pilot
Great vehicle. I would purchase again. Honda really found a good niche with this SUV
chief's review
This suv is everything you read about and more! My wife owns an suv $20,000 more expensive as soon as I got mine she wanted to trade.
Great for Families with Young Children
I wanted seating for more than 5, but I didn't want a truck-based SUV and my husband didn't want a minivan. The Pilot has car-like handling and lots of room for kids and their "stuff". I am very happy with my Pilot and would highly recommend it.
Honda-Quality SUV
Honfa finally has come through with a quality SUV. To me that means reliability, a car I cwill be able to depend on for years to come. And the ride, looks and comfort are also great. I like it so much I took a considerable loss to trade in my very satisfactory, but too-small, 2001 Subaru Forester.
Another 1st-time SUV Buyer
Purchased the Pilot in Aug,'02. Had no idea it existed; just found it on dealer's lot. Was looking for SUV to replace a large sedan & aging pickup. Biggest plus was headroom & visibility from driver's seat. I'm 6'3" & had to duck my head to see traffic signals in other SUVs. Pilot is fine for hauling passengers, but it's no substitute for a pickup. Boxes & such are fine, but you'll be very limited in large/long items, such as lumber. I'm disappointed with gas mileage. I'm careful to drive for best fuel economy, but have not come close to published ratings. Paid about $500 under sticker, got free crossbars, cargo cover & bunch of oil changes.
Good purchase
All around good vehicle, 4WD works great in snow, gas mileage is about 20. Has area between front seats that collect trash and its almost impossible to clear. The good news is that you can't see this trash unless you know exactly where to look. Would be my first pick if I were looking for a small SUV.
After 1st week
The Pilot is an attractive, versatile "suburban" SUV, geared for highway/city travel. It is larger than most in the mid-size class. It has a car-like turning radius & great pickup. Honda has added so many "little features", like shoulder straps for middle passengers, lots of cargo net hooks, hidden storage, 4 power outlets, 9 beverage holders, storage compartments everywhere. Have not yet tried 4WD feature. Have not travelled in rear seats.
A Great Midsize SUV!
The Pilot is so quiet it is hard to know it is running. At highway speeds, the car is smooth, quiet and stable. It gives a car like ride while still being able to hit a pothole and not worry. The brakes are great, and the transmission shifts flawlessly. I have no regrets after purchase. The sound system is impressive. The fuel economy is not great, but better than the competition. Overal, this is a great SUV that beats the competition. The price is nice, but we could not bargain with the dealer, they aren't giving these Pilot's away for anything less than the sticker!
Near Perfect
After reading a lot of good reviews on Honda Pilot, we finally purchased one. This SUV is everything the reviews said it was: it has good fit & finish, ideal size, nice looks and excellent ride. Having driven Hondas in the past, I do not anticipate any reliability problems down the road.
Do not buy first year model
I purchased this vehicle new. I have 42,000 miles on vehicle. Not typical Honda quality. Warranty items replaced recalled: new vent, new console top, transmission oil cooler kit recal, and finally EGR valve recall. The VTM4 light and Engine service light has been coming on for the last 1000 miles. I have had it to the dealer 4 to 5 different times and it is still not fixed. The last thing the replaced was the VTM4 control module $800 dollars and it did not fix it. This has been very frustrating and you would not expect this from a Honda product that cost $32,000 new. Very disappointing.
Pretty Good
I replaced my 96 Toyota 4Runner with the Pilot EX. The interior design is pretty cool. The metallic finish makes it look smart. It rides pretty well but handling is not as great as the 4Runner since the vehicle rolls too much. Seat comfort is also not too great. But I liked the automatic AC and stereo. The fold down third row is nice too since it folds down into the floor. Climbing into the vehicle is pretty easy as compared to the 4Runner and short people do not need s side step.
Honda Let Me Down
Initially the Pilot appeared to be a great car. However, throughout this past year it has lost its luster. The overall poor quality of the interior design became apparent. The heating system is slow in the dead of winter and cracking the windows in the summer will blow your ear drums out. There are problems with the seatbelts retracting properly driver seatbelt buckle beats up interior plastic while rear seatbelts become curled and wont retract. The chrome finish on parts of interior scratched easily and has worn off excessively only after one year of low use. In short, if you want a quality SUV, dont buy a Pilot its not worth the money.
Love my Pilot
Not as many bells and whistles as the Jeep Cherokee but a far superior ride and comfort. This is a SUV that drives like a sedan. The stereo leaves a little to be desired.
PERFECT PILOT
GREAT VEHICLE. FUN TO DRIVE, BEAUTIFUL CONTOURS. HONDA SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS GREAT SUV. THE PILOT IS ALMOST PERFECT.
Rides like my E300
Solid feel, and quiet - low road noise.This beats out the ML320, Discovery II, X5, Explorer and Pathfinder...and I tried ALL of them! I feel like I was in my MB E300 again. Unfortunately the dealer didn't give me a break on the price - for obvious reasons.
awesome
great acceleration. very comfortable. nice, smooth, quiet ride. best utility, gas mileage, acceleration, expected resale value, cargo space, in its class. this was our first honda. comparison shopped vs. trailblazer and explorer. from bumper to bumper, not as well designed or had the workmanship or materials of the pilot. explorer's workmanship and materials are a joke.
Almost Perfect
It looks perfect so far. I think it is the best SUV in it is class. I am so happy that I purchesed it. It tooke me 2 months of thinking and compairing with the Toyota Highlander before I decided that it is better for a family man.
Pilot-no problems
My wife drives the car the most, especially in town. I drive on the highway. While the gas mileage is low compared to a sedan, she feels that the in-out comfort and the high view the car affords her are wonderful. The engineers and designers have invested a lot of thinking into the interior design of the car and have come up with another winner. There was one small glitch involving shifting to a lower gear(automatic), but we figured it out.
Good overall SUV
I've already put down the 2G for the MDX. When the Pilot came out and a friend working at a Honda dealership told me about a cancellation, I promptly snapped it up. I had a Chevy Blazer in the past and that was a nightmare. My wife and I took the Pilot up to Mackinac Island in Michigan over the Labor Day weekend. It's big enough that we didn't need to rent a motel. We got a campsite and didn't even pitch our tent. We simply folded down the seats and we got a queen-size bed. From Chicago, the trip is about 1000 miles (round trip) and we spent a less than $65 in gas. I guess we were averaging over 25 miles/gallon. Overall, I really like this vehicle.
Couldn't be happier!
I love my Pilot. I read all these reviews before I bought mine in 10-02. Best things about the Pilot are-it's a Honda, very reliable! The center console area has tons of storage, plus a place to set my purse w/o it being on the floor. There is a lot of head room, and space on the back seat for 3, plus the 3rd row seat lays perfectly flat for storage. For the amount of space, power, smooth ride, and resale value...the Pilot is worth every penny!
Get one if you can
I've been waiting for Honda to come out with a larger SUV for years. They finally came through with a great product as usual. Strong performance, great ride and Hoda reliability - you can't go wrong!
30,000 mile pilot driver
I have had my Pilot since June 8 2002 the week it was officially released. I Have only had to bring it in for the 2 major recalls . Other than that i have only had some very minor nits. i.e. the driver side windshield washer nozzle sometimes leaks without using them. I have driven my car in Death Valley and on the dirt roads around Southern California. Works great to me. One thing though is I take my Pilot to Acura for the major services since Honda dealers around here seem to nickel and dime you for certain things that are supposed to be done. Acura does everything for one price with no extras.... Eric the Desert Rat
Pilot or Sequoia
Can't believe I found a SUV for a decent price. Restricted my choices to Toyota & Honda having endured poor Chevy Blazer & Dodge car reliability since 1987 (owned Toyota before either of them and it was great - so I am going Japanese again). GM & Dodge had 15yrs+ to win me back-they failed. Pilot: a landmark vehicle blending SUV & car characteristics for a decent price. Instead of buying more SUV than I need (Sequoia), I got the Pilot. Sit in one, then sit in a Tahoe - you will see.
Fine SUV
Overall the Honda Pilot sure beats the 2000 Toyata SR% I traded in for it. Seating is excellant for tall drivers and the visibility is outstanding. Fast, smooth and handles great at Interstate speeds with pleanty of reserve for passing. Miliage is consistantly 20 aroound town and 23-25 on the Interstates. Very stable in high winds. Outstanding for the price.
What a SUV
What a SUV. Without a doubt it is the smoothest driving SUV on the market. I have had SUV's in the past that would never pass a gas station, this one will! It has all the room any family may need, and with the Honda quality it is the best. If your in the market in Virginia contact the people at Pohanka of Fredericksburg, I have never had a better purchase experience.
Highly favorable review of Pilot
The Pilot rides well for a medium sized SUV. It has good pickup when entering a freeway, and feels more like an Accord than a truck. However, the vehicle requires more stopping distance than an Accord (the laws of physics rule).
A Real Pleasure to Drive
I realized that the Pilot drove more like a Honda (car) than a truck. I was aware of the convenient placement of the gauges, and the audio,heating and cooling controls. The interior of the Pilot was - well thought out, well constructed and pleasing to the eye. The configuration of the seats and the ease of converting the rear ones to allow for more space is a definite plus. The V-6 engine does its job well on the open road Overall my Pilot has lived up to my highest expectations.
Why get anything but a Pilot
I've purchased my Pilot in Dec. 2002. I ordered it back in July 2002 and it finally arrived. Its a great vehicle! I used to drive an Accord and the transition is very well received. Its a solid car. It accelerates well and drives smooth. The space is great. I can fit my dogs large crate in the back with room to spare. For the price it handles just like the MDX for less. If you can live without the luxury of an MDX go for the Pilot. Its a practical alternative. If your a woman and would like a SUV that drives like a car consider the Pilot. I recommend it! :)
Pilot - Big Win for Honda !!
Amazing how much room has ben engineered into the cabin. Very spacious and comfortable design. Ride quality is excellent, 4WD performed very well during winterstorms. Fuel mileage is excellent, with regular fuel! Has won so many awards most notably from Consumer Reports 2 years running.
This is not an
I have owned an Acura MDX for 5 months which I absolutely love. As a result, I ordered a Pilot. I was surprised at the $31K price, which is within $4K of my MDX, despite the fact that the Pilot has no sunroof and 1 year/14,000 miles less warranty, etc. The exterior looks like an oversized CRV. The quality of the interior was not even in the same universe as the MDX (too many things to list, just compare for yourself). It did drive comparably to the MDX. In my opinion, the Pilot is a total rip-off compared the MDX. Before you buy a Pilot, check out the MDX. We ended up with a new Sequoia for only $750 more.
52,704 miles so far
I can't believe I've taken this car to 52,704 miles so far. It has never been in the shop for anything other than scheduled maintenance. They took care of recalls during sched maint. Honda of Santa Monica takes care of me big time. California doesn't offer harsh winter weather to really test the vehicle but it has been to Tahoe(winter), survived pretty bad rains and even the nasty fires of so cal., and the dreaded heat of Las Vegas, NV. I've been getting 20mpg highway lately. I took a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee to 242,000 miles and I sunk so much money into it by the 50,000 mile mark. The Pilot so far has been its weight in gold.
Value & Versatility
Very satisfied (except for bizarre positioning of headrests)so I will comment on 2 misconceptions about the Pilot. #1: Too expensive. Those who say its overpriced, I defy you to match overall value against any other SUV. If you paid over MSRP, well, there is one born every minute... #2: Gas mileage criticism. Does anyone know of a non-mini SUV that gets over 20 mpg average besides the Pilot?
Honda does it again
This is a great vehicle. I test drove the Acura MDX(which was a good ride) but the Pilot feels more smoother and car-like than its luxury counter-part. Exceleration is great, gas mileage is good, and there's plenty of space for family trips. Great truck! I'm waiting for upgrades, or a full size Honda to compete with the Toyota Sequoia and Nissan (Pathfinder) Armada.
We like our Pilot
My family of four took delivery of our new Pilot on June 10 and we've put about 600 miles on it since. We had looked seriously at the Acura MDX and decided for the price of a used MDX we could get a new Pilot. The Pilot feels very similar to the MDX. I recently had to do some serious and quick steering to avoid a sports car that was trying to share the lane with me and I was very pleased with the Pilot's response. Fit and finish is quite good. There is plenty of room in the front for my 6.4 foot friend. Middle seats roomy as well. It's nimble around town. This is great alternative to minivans and huge SUVs.
1st time SUV Owner
The Honda Pilot is my very first SUV, but my 3rd Honda vehicle. I traded in my perfectly fine 2000 Accord because there is finally an affordable SUV on the market that rides like a car. A week after I purchased this vehicle, my wife and I drove over 2000 miles roundtrip and into the mountains for vacation. Would drive 5+ hours before stopping - very comfortable and loved the storage space. On this same trip we became the chaufeur of choice at a family reunion - not a problem - tons of room for passengers. I would highly recommend this SUV.
nice car. happy owner.
like the car a lot. have owned about 6 hondas now and they have all proven to be reliable and solid. like the interior styling a lot but still getting used to gear shift and backing this big thing up. 8^) being used to a 2000 accord, great outdoor vehicle. rode nicely over field and bumps. liked my salesman, didn't care for the "sales manager". agreed to the deal then said they couldn't do it but then changed their mind again as my wife and i were 2 feet from the exit. typical stupid and insulting sales tactics. no fault of Honda though.
I can't believe this oversight!
Definately a quality vehicle! Good buy compared to luxury SUVs. Comfortable, spacious, good ride, etc. THERE ARE BUGS!! SEE BELOW!
Great Car
Rides great, suffiect power, lots of cargo room. Handles well for minor offroad challanges
First SUV
I like this Pilot on most SUV I test drive due to price and over all performance.
A good buy
We had our pilot for 350 miles when we took a 1000 mile round trip through the mountains of Pennsylvania. We averaged 21.4 mpg. Commuting to work the average is 16.7. I am 6'4", the headroom enables me to wear a hat if I wish. Everyone who rides in the pilot (even in the third seat) comments on the good ride. Areally good buy that won't depreciate quickly!
New Honda Pilot
We are very pleased with our recent purchase. Lots of storage space, well thought out compartments, very nice interior trim. Ride comfort is excellent, engine is smooth. Nav system is very good although the software is several years out of date. Audio system is good, dash mounted tweeters are a little shrill. Excellent visibility, large mirrors and good over the hood view. We compared ML350, RX330, MDX, Murano, Touareg.