Used 2005 Honda Pilot Consumer Reviews
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05 Pilot EXL
Pilot EXL fit my requirement as AWD SUV. The space is good and fold down seat is convenient. There is no crossbar by default is a surprise. I have to buy crossbar in addition to ski rack. The gas mileage is also so- so. Well, it is really enjoy to drive it on snow.
AWESOME SUV
Its like you are driving a car but its an SUV. I love it and my kids are comfy in it. I fit 2 big carseats in the bag and a teenager as well as room for a stroller and other items. Its a great famnily car indeed!!!!
- EX 4dr SUV w/LeatherMSRP: $7,000148 mi away
- EX 4dr SUV w/LeatherMSRP: $7,990197 mi away
- EX 4dr SUV w/Leather and Entertainment SystemMSRP: $3,299210 mi away
Fantastic Auto
The finest ride for a SUV. Comfort is excellent. A much finer auto than my Chrysler 300. I could not be more pleased with the selection we made for my wife.
My Honda Pilot
It's not too big, and not too small. It handles like a dream. I love the ease of the back seats...no seat removal necessary. Need more room? just put the seats down. They nearly flatten out completely. Honda has put a lot of thought and design into this vehicle.
Finally got my Pilot!
I have wanted a Pilot since they first came on the market, but I wasn't willing to pay MSRP. I finally bought one in 2005. Overall, I have been very pleased with my Pilot. It is very roomy, even when I have been in the back seat between my two children in their car seats. The pick up when merging onto the interstate has been great. I love the great visibility to see other vehicles around you. So many other SUV's have very limited visibility out the side and rear windows. Only negative I have found is the gas mileage...I get only 14 miles to the gallon in the city.
15K review, not so perfect
I have owned it for about 11 month and put it 15K miles. Averaged 14mpg city, 20-22mpg highway @75-85mph. The seat is not comfortable. I can not find a configuration that fully support my back. Not a problem for short trips, but I take long trips often and I always have back pain and sour neck after driving 2 hours. Engine is pretty quiet, but wind noise and road noise become annoying @ 80mph. More sound dumpening material should be used. Both my wife (not a good driver) and I find it easier to drive than corolla and accord. The rear backup sensor is well worth the money.
Very good vehicle
This vehicle was a replacement for a Grand Caravan and although we lost some interior space, it is a very versatile, smooth, and comfortable vehicle. We recently took a 12 hour trip and it was very comfortable. I really like the was this bigger vehicle handles, it has good power, and I like the features it has. I'm glad Honda didn't succom to the employee pricing gimmick which would have made all of ours worth less. My only complaints would be its bland styling, and somewhat weak radio. I'm also not a fan of the cruise control button, but this is minor. It drives/handles well, gets decent mileage for a big SUV, has good power, is very versitle, and comfortable - everything you need.
Just bought 2005 Pilot
I bought my 2005 pilot just under a month ago. Originally I purchased the Pilot for its 8 passenger capacity and just thought of it as a good people hauler. It is a very fun SUV to drive. I still have a grin on my face everytime I drive it. I traded in a 95 bmw 325is(very fun car) and I have no regrets. After a month of owning it. I love the way it drives. I do have two compliants though. I can't seem to find the perfect position with the power driver seat. And the steering column shifter takes getting used to. I like have the extra storage space between the driver the passenger seat though.
Great Packaging
This is my 3rd SUV and it rates high on the list. I had a 2002 Mountaineer with a V8 and have not owned another that is that powerful but Honda's V6 does move the truck smartly. Traded in a 2004 Nissan Murano for my Pilot. Although my wife misses her Nissan the Honda has FAR BETTER build quality and seats 8. Gas mileage is a combined 18-20 but you cant expect much more from a 4400lb SUV. Interior is kid friendly with the numerous cup holders and seatback and door holders. Only problem I seem to have is a ticking sound coming from both front windows. I will have that looked at when I bring it for my first service. I would definitely recommend one!!!!
Great vehicle!
I am 100% satisfied with the Pilot EX. Feels like I'm driving a high end car. The vehicle is so smooth and quiet and has plenty of power. Merging and passing on the highway is great. I think this vehicle is the best value for the money in this class. It's also the largest in it's class. Plenty of storage space and room for my kids and their stuff.
Honda Pilot 2005 EX
We owned a 2003 and have a 2005 Honda Pilot. We originally bought the 2003 LX because that was all the dealer had. The 2005 EX has more interior refinement re A/C and audio. We love both cars. We upgraded because of the great deal we got from the dealer.
In just a few weeks..
Excellent vehicle! Yes, it doesn't stand out in a crowd of other SUV's (in terms of looks), but that's not why I bought it. The interior is extremely high quality and very functional, and the smooth ride is great! The steering (handling) could be a little better, as it does feel a bit bulky at first, but after getting use to it you'll never notice it again. Acceleration is slow at first due to the AWD, but then quickly picks up speed. The ride is so smooth, that you sometimes don't notice how fast you're going. Overall, a great vehicle whether you have a family, or are looking for a roomy mid-size SUV.
2005 Honda Pilot - EX
Very comfortable to drive and ride in, mother-in-law passenger rating was - very comfortable. Surprising gas mileage when I followed the Honda Owner's Manual driving instructions, 20 mpg city - 24 mpg highway. My highway driving speeds are 65 - 75 mph.
Best SUV On The Market for the Price
No other suv on the market touches the Honda Pilot for the price. With advanced features, build quality and Honda reliability, Honda offers an incredible vehicle for the price. It drives like a dream, gets incredible gas mileage for its size, and the assembly is perfect in every way. Don't pass this one up!
Love this vehicle!
This is my first SUV - have only driven sedans until now. Was amazed how the Pilot handles like a car, despite its 4400 lbs! It does seem big behind the wheel, but that's because of its height -- and it's not too big to handle -- same length as my old Accord. It gives an unbelievably smooth ride on the highway, and I feel very safe in it. Despite some reviews/reviewers, I love the styling of the exterior. The interior is beautiful too. I am biased toward Hondas, and this Pilot isn't likely to change my mind on that...
New Oilot
Car has fantastic pickup to the point I find myself frequently over the speed limit, yet handles more smoothly than most cars I've driven.
Honda Pilot
Best test drive I have ever had. This SUV drives nice and tight, closest feeling to car that I have found in an SUV. The gas mileage seems to be improving as I break the motor in more. Wish I went for the leather, but other than that, no regrets yet. I would buy one again.
Happy with my purchase
I just got my Pilot at around end of August. I really am happy with my purchase so far. The ride is quiet and smooth even on freeway. It also fits our needs. I like the fact that it is so versatile & roomy. For the most part, i love the improvements Honda has added to the '05 models. (i.e. EBD(electronic brake distribution), VSA(vehicle stability assistance), sunroof, more horsepower (15 horses more than previous models), TPMS(tire pressure monitoring system & lots more. I just think there is still room for improvements but other than that....EXCELLENT SUV!!!
Fun & reasonably inexpensive to operate
I pack everything but the kitchen into my Pilot and then it holds some more. Handles and rides as good as my Accord or Civic Hatchback my commuter car. Much smoother riding than my daughter's 4 Runner and takes reg gas. We moved 17 rescued animals, 2 humans and supplies and was hauling a full trailer from California to Arkansas and survived being driven off the road into a ravine by a 4-wheeler. Pilot remained upright in the ravine and we had not a scratch on it or us. Trailer twisted side ways and was a mess but the Pilot stood firm. Other drivers were astounded. We love it!
Buy it, You won't be disappointed
Had to have it after the first test drive. Very comfortable ride and a good solid feel of the road makes this one of the best SUV's available.
Great Buy! We love our Pilot!
We bought this vehicle to take a 21 hour road trip while my husband was deployed. My daughter (3 years old), our dog and I piled up in the Pilot with enough stuff to be away from home for 8 months. The space inside of the vehicle is great. You can pile a lot of stuff in it and there are many places to store things (like breakables or liquids). We didn't get the Pilot with the DVD player but had one installed at Best Buy and love it. I didn't want to pay for leather seats to get a DVD player. Gas mileage was a little disappointing but it does get the mileage it claims it will. I can get better mileage if I use cruise control. Vehicle has good power. Sits higher then other SUV's.
Love my car other than...
Before I purchased this car, I did my thorough research on the market. Even made a marketing plan for school on this vehicle. This car was absolutely for me. Having owned a previous Honda, I assumed the Pilot's reliability and quality would be as good as my CRX. To my dismay, I've had an intermittent rattle noise in the dash that has not been repaired after numerous attempts at the dealership. Please be warned. Having that said, everything else in the car is wonderful and you won't find a better SUV under 30K.
Jerky ride
Just purchased my Honda and the one problem that is major for me besides not getting the gas mileage it shows on its sticker, is how jerky it is when the motor/engine shifts gears up & down. Feels like you are driving it incorrectly. Was told all SUVs shift like that but I had owned one from another make prior to the Pilot and it was not that way.
Wins for its use of interior space
We test drove all the midsize SUV's looking for one with economical V6 power, good looks, and ample interior space. The Pilot won the contest for its excellent use of space on the inside. 8-person capacity (assuming some of those 8 are kids), a plethora of storage places, and fold-flat rear seats. While I am not a fan of column shifters, it allowed Honda to really make the center console useful. The exterior styling is so-so. The navigation system is touch-screen and fully operable while driving (for better or worse) but otherwise pales in comparison to the Pathfinder's. The Pathfinder also trumps the Pilot with regards to performance. The Pilot can handle light-to-moderate off-road use.
Wow, Big Package - Small Price
What a great machine! Plenty of power. Good Ride. Roomy.... Great purchase.
Happy Owner
Chose the Pilot after considering many competitors in it's class. We have not been disapponted in our choice. We love the style and features and the interior funtionality of the seats. Using the third row is easy, and stowing it is painless. My son loves the entertainment systems, and my wife an I love that we get to hear "adult" music again. We got 20 mpg on mixed driving from the very first tank. Not bad for a vehicle of this size and power. Dealer provided a price at invoice (below Edmunds TMV at the time) with no bargaining. They also gave top value (again based on Edmunds values) for the 2001 CRV that I traded.
Excellent SUV
We took this SUV on a road trip through Yellowstone and the Rockies, excellent gas mileage of 23/28. We never thought we would get such good mileage from a big vehicle. The ride was very smooth and comfortable. According to one of the cons of owning this vehicle is the feeling that one feels to big behind the wheel. I am only 5'2" and didn't have any problems, I did not feel as though the vehicle was to big to handle. I felt very comfortable driving it. Excellent vehicle!
2005 EXL w/Navigation
Just went over 1000 miles with new Pilot. My wife kept her 4 X 4 Chev. Suburban, but I doubt she will use it very much...the Honda is easier to get around in, especially in shopping center parking lots. Great riding car with a great sound system. Looking forward to the Honda reliability. Wish gas mileage was better, but it beats our Suburban hands down!
Honda Heaven
I traded my 2002 BMW 325i for a 2005 Honda Pilot EXL. Although both cars are inherently different, I love the versatility and value of my Pilot. The drive is incredibly smooth and it handles really well, almost like a car. And I love the sunroof and plush leather interior with wood trim. All this from someone who swore she'd never buy an SUV!
2005 Pilot Great value
This suv drives so solid and handles very well. The turning radius is exellent. Compared the Toy Highlander which felt cheap inside,the rx330 and acura MDX were 8-10 grand more-def. not worth it. Got quotes on the internet then asked my local dealer to match the lowest, Paid 30,100. A GREAT VALUE! No negotiating with the dealer, a very pleasant experience.
My Pilot
This vehicle has power when needed. I hit a deer on the highway and the car took the brunt of the impact; I hardly felt it. It didn't look very good until it was fixed but drove great.
Be Your Own Pilot
The Pilot has it all...plenty of room, solid handling and great reliability. It handles just as easily as a car so those who don't like the typical truck handling of an SUV have nothing to worry about. It has met all of my expectations.
So far so good...
Took delivery of a 2005 EXL about 10 days ago. Initial impressions are very good with only a few gripes on this vehicle. The Pilot drives very much like a large car with little of the vague handling you might find with the more common body on frame type SUV's. Power is close to best in class, though torque data would suggest this isn't the SUV to buy if you plan to tow much and there is no hitch installed as standard. Overall styling in and out is a bit bland but can be helped with some of the dealer installed body options. Biggest issue I have is the large and heavy tailgate which opens very quickly and can be a bit of a handful to close. Overall I am very happy with this car.
??
My entire family has enjoyed our 2005 Honda Pilot. The high safety ratings are a must for us. We owned a Honda Odyssey prior to this vehicle. It was totaled when a semi 18 wheeler slammed into the rear end of us. With the protection we had during the accident, I think I will always buy a Honda. We were skeptical about the Pilot at first but we have not regretted it for a moment. During our vehicle shopping experience we drove several SUV's, including the Mercedes. None of the others compaired to the Pilot. My fourteen year old daughter is hoping she will be handed the keys when she gets her licenses in a couple of years. So..... it must be pretty cool to teenagers too.
Pilot won out over MDX and RX330
Got a 2005 Pilot EX-L with every available option which will be installed in the next week including chrome side step runners, fog lights, mud guards, rear view camera, navigation, anti-theft upgrade, etc. All I can say is WOW! My wife and I have done two weeks of research and test drove the Lexus RX330 and Acura MDX and never imagined we would be buying a Pilot. Fully loaded was less out the door then either RX/MDX. This SUV gets up and goes fast and rides smooth! For all the safety features, accessories, incredibly smart interior layout and USABLE third row, why pay more for less? Pilot is a no brainer after driving and comparing to Rx/MDX (actually more comfortable). We are elated.
20005 Honda Pilot
I find the Honda Pilot to be an excellent quality vehicle. It's interior design gives the driver and passengers exceptional comfort and room. It is a true eight passenger vehicle and affords comfort for all even when loaded to capacity. The Honda Pilot handles well both around town and on the highway. One only needs to sit in the vehicle and close the door to experience the solid workmanship.
cool honda pilot
i love it, it is so much fun to be in. we drove from arizona to virginia in it very comfortably
Maine Pilot lover
Have now had our Pilot for one year. Its been a pleasure to own and drive. We have taken a couple of long trips (Maine to Ohio and back, Maine to PA and back) and have always exceeded the EPA highway mileage of 22 mpg. We get 18 city and 24 highway.
great SUV
Going from a 91 civic to this of course was a huge step up. This is a great SUV. It took everything we gave it on the test drive, went over 90 mph and took it semi-off road, for a non- off road SUV, it did pretty good. The heated seats are great. But i love most that you can feel the power behind it. Some SUV's i tested couldnt get out of their own way.
super value
did a lot looking at about six dealerships. got my best price at sherwood honda in delray beach fl paid invoice. this suv handles very well.fit and finish is excellant. the only thing that could be better is gas mileage.
Fun to Drive
I went from a van to the Honda Pilot and is is so much more comfortable and fun to drive. It is very spacious in the interior and has many cup holders and outlets for cell phones and other electronics. Love it!
I Love My Pilot
This is by far the best vehicle i have ever owned. Very safe and very reliable and so much fun to drive i love my pilot
Too Much for the Money
Just returned from long road trip to Disney and the Pilot made it bearable. DVD is awesome with 1 and 6 yr. old. Gas mileage is okay but performance and room is unbelievable - at least for $33k. I am 6'1, 220 and I immediately astounded at the amount of lateral room. Arguably the best third rower out there that will fit comfortably in garage without killing you at the pump.
Great SUV, just like all Hondas.
This is the 10th Honda our family has owned. First SUV. Have had it 3 months and it performs more like a car than an SUV. Has excellent performance and if fun to drive. So far, no problems, build quality is excellent. I think the transmission "hunts" for gears and downshifts more often than I would like, but I am told this should improve as the transmission "learns" how we drive it. We bought it as a 3rd vehicle to have when we have more than 5 people to take somewhere or need more space to haul something larger than a "breadbox".
Fun and Functional SUV
We bought our Pilot to replace a Yukon XL. We test drove the Pilot and fell in love! The dealership was a breeze to do business with, we got an excellent deal. The ride of the Pilot is so smooth and the shifting of the vehicle is hardly noticable, huge plus from the Yukon. We have two children and they LOVE this SUV! Both have lots of room and seating choices...they DON'T have to sit by each other. The DVD system is a lifesaver on long roadtrips. We can't say enuf about our Pilot!
a real thoroughbred
fun to drive, lots of power, all features are easy to use: radio, cd, navigation. Lots of cargo capacity, tight steering radius, easy to park.
My New Pilot
Great vehicle - never thought I would like driving an SUV, but with typical Honda design, it is a pleasure to drive. It has a very smooth ride and handles just like my Honda Accord. Interior layout is excellent.
Disappointing Fuel Economy
I like the car but do not love it. I am currently getting 16 miles a gallon/highway which I think it is pretty bad. Do not know where Honda got the mileage they advertise because I have been getting this mileage since I got the car brand new. I was planning to keep the car but not with this mileage. I might actually dump it early if gas price keeps going up at this rate.
The best SUV and the best ROI in SUV's
This is the best value for money when it comes to families with kids who do not want to spend thru the roof for a very dependable, fun-to-drive, very reliable, reputed, solid SUV. With its all wheel drive, ABS, leather, and many other features, this is the best choice for feople who really do not care so much about the name.
piolt
Great to drive cornering and pickup just blew away my old Jeep. Plus with all the extra room (seats 8) and still has room to hit the beach with the kids.