Used 2009 Honda Pilot SUV Consumer Reviews
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Another Pilot for us
Originally hated the new styling, hoped for more rounder then boxy. Now that I own one, I like the shape, it grew on me. We are very happy with this vehicle. Coming from an 04 Pilot there are many changes, more space, bigger feel, smoother drive, better interior. Plastic dash doesn't bother me, controls are easy to learn. I do find myself sitting forward when driving, it's not the headrest but the support behind my back pushing me forward. Seats are very comfortable. Pick-up can be a bit sluggish when merging onto the highway. Love the radio and the way it displays station, song title and artist. Much better access to the handle for lowering the third row then in the 2004.
My First Honda
I have had this 2009 Pilot for two months now and it has been so far the best I have ever owned. The ride is great and the fuel mileage is better than I excepted for the heavy SUV. My wife also likes this SUV and rather drive the Pilot rather than her Lincoln Crossover. Overall the 2009 Pilot is a great SUV. I replaced a 2006 F150 with this 2009 Pilot EX.
- Touring 4dr SUV w/Nav and Rear EntertainmentMSRP: $6,99583 mi away
- EX-L 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,040122 mi away
- Touring 4dr SUV w/NavMSRP: $9,990125 mi away
One awesome Truck
This truck replaced a 2008 Volvo XC90. I never thought I would love a truck as much as the Volvo. I was very wrong. The Pilot has a very smooth ride and great pickup for its size. The interior is roomy enough for several kids and all of their gear. Road noise seems less than in older models. Gas mileage is not great - 16 mpg on average, but it's mostly city driving. I have black interior/exterior and it's really classy looking. Was mistaken for the big Mercedes SUV the other day!
Off to a very good start
After one week it's a very good car. Economy is good as SUVs go, but too bad it's not even better. The cylinder shutdown feature works as advertised, and doesn't really interfere with driving. Ergonomics in the driving position are excellent. The electronics are really good, and the sensors help with maneuvering at low speeds. Room is very good in back (why we bought it in the first place).
Initial impressions favorable
Nice styling improvements from 2008 model. So far seems to be very well built and drives very well. Also seems to be a good value for the money. In my opinion handles better and contains better electronics than my 2007 BWM X3 and is about 10 grand cheaper !
Don't buy any other SUV
I was going to wait until i had owned my Pilot a month before writing my review - but in this case - why wait! This may well be the best Vehicle (SUV) on the Planet - i traded my 2005 Odyssey (which was the best Mini Van in the world) - loved that one. I expect my Pilot will exceed even that experience. the look, ride, quality, quietness in the cabin, are all superior.
New pilot
After narrowing down the search to the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot we chose the Pilot for its cargo capacity and value proposition. A like equipped Highlander was several thousand dollars more. After a month with the new Pilot we are very satisfied. Comfortable ride, good performance and improved gas mileage (from the previous year). Honda quality is readily apparent everywhere in the vehicle. A great choice
Built for the crowd
I bought this to carry my big family around and it does the job right. The back side look makes it look like a Van rather than an SUV but the front design proves it wrong. All of a sudden, my wheel lights are showing up even though my tire pressure is good. Also, the Oil change light popped up once in a while. The door light also showed up once I was driving and the doors locked.
the best foreign car
This is the first foreign car I have ever bought. I got it at a very reasonable price. It has great mpg, I have got over 30 mpg on the highway and even higher when I'm coasting! I love the bass, it's crazy! You use up a lot of gas when you accelerate really fast, and it kind of sounds like a tank. My son talked me into getting it and I'm glad he did because I love it.
Pleasant Surprise
After testing several mid-sized utes traded in my 04 4-runner. I have owned Hondas in the past so expected the quality. What surprised me was how solid, and capable it feel's driving on rutted out, washboard dirt roads-a big plus for an avid kayaker/mtn. biker/all around outdoor enthusiast in western Montana. On road handling was good enough, but much improved with a set of aftermarket 18 in wheels and upgraded tires, and still rides smooth on and off road! Factory side steps and rack help break up a somewhat frumpy design, and along with the aftermarket wheels gives the pilot a much sportier demeanor. I'm really impressed with the quality, technology, and overall driving dynamic's.
Great Vehicle
I love the Honda. It's very luxurious and has great style inside and out. Fuel Mileage isn't great but it's not too bad. Cool features inside like an ipod compatible stereo.
Best Piot yet!
This is my 2nd Pilot. The first one was an 03, and it ran flawless. The 09 Touring is a big step up. Fun to drive, roomy, quiet, decent power, and a lot of fun toys to make the ride enjoyable. Love the Navi and radio. So far, the first tank averaged 15 mpg in all city. Just a great vehicle. Glad to see the Michelin tires on it also.
2 car seats and an adult in the 2nd row!
With a growing family we were in the market for a large crossover. Viewed all the typical competitors and the Honda was honestly last on our list. The deciding factor? We had one requirement that eliminated all of the other crossovers. We wanted to fit a rear facing infant seat, another car seat and an adult in the second row. The Honda was the only car that did it safely and comfortable. We are amazed that so few cars can do that other than the GMC Yukon which is much too large for city driving. So far the ride is fine. Fit and finish leave much to be desired. Already have one panel that doesn't fit right but I hope Honda can fix it.
C/SUV value buy of the decade perhaps?
Thought I would contribute a review to try to assist others with the agonizing decision I made - one that I am very happy I made: to go with a 2009 Honda Pilot 4wd Touring over the Highlander, Xterra and Pathfinder, and CX-9. Many object to the looks of the Pilot - we like it lot; looks like a real SUV. This vehicle is the clear choice for those looking for the utmost utility, safety, modern conveniences, and medium- duty off-road capability (yes, that is what the Pilot's chassis, unibody structural integrity, and suspension are designed for), reasonable fuel efficiency, and highly functional (hopefully reliable) 4WD system. Pilot=best value/content going for the $$$ - mighty beefy S/CUV!
Pilots Rock!
As usual, my new 2009 Honda Pilot is everything that you would expect from Honda - solid, reliable, fun, etc. It has all of the features of more expensive SUVs for a reasonable price. I don't have one bad thing to comment on.
Seats
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?
Our New Pilot
Great SUV - for the feature set, navi, RES, sunroof, leather, Class III hitch, back-up camera, back-up sensors and climate control you will not find a better SUV on the market for the price. I test drove the Lexus RX, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota Highlander and none came close to the price with the Touring models feature set. Add on Honda's build quality and you have a perfect combination.
Great Family Vehicle
Since purchasing this SUV I've been more than pleased. It makes driving fun again. It's roomy but sleek on the inside. I've found that it has plenty of power for everyday driving and I've averaged 20 MPG so far (both city & HWY). After driving domestic cars my whole life I can now see why they are in so much trouble. The Honda Pilot is best in its class in my opinion.
Love it!
We love our pilot. It's strong, comfy and fun to drive.
Love my New Pilot
I have been shopping for a new SUV for 6 months. Almost bought the Toyota 4Runner but decided on Honda Pilot because of 3rd row fold down seat. I love that it does not look like a crossover. The only negative is the 2nd row seats only recline a little. We are a family of 4 coming out of an Odyssey and we loved to be able to recline the 2nd row on long trips. I also like the door cup holders on our 07 CR-V and the 09 Pilot only has them for the 2nd row. There are 2 cup holders in the center console. I love the high tech & luxurious feel of the cockpit. The drivers seat feels very cushy and I love the lumbar support. My kids love the pop out remote control for the DVD. Averaging 17mpg city.
Noise from gas tank
I purchased the car in Aug 08. and was extremely happy with the car until two days later. I noticed that the steering would pull to the right. I was told it was the crown in the road. Having insisted on something being done, a number of adjustments were made and it drives better. The next issue which has me pondering trading the car in,is noise heard from the gas tank. When the gas tank is full, I can hear the gas sloshing around and it makes a loud thumping noise. The dealership stated this was due to the design of the gas tank and a condition of the car. Take the opportunity to turn off your radio and drive around. Otherwise, it has great space, and a comfortable ride. Gas mileage is ok.
More for the money
We originally stayed away from this vehicle due to the so called expert reviews. Sorry boys but you have missed the mark. We went looking for months and at the end of the day the new Pilot is the choice for those with any common since. The Tahoe is supposedly a full size yet the Pilot with all three seats up can hold something in the rear. "like a cooler!!!!!" The Tahoe, with all the seats up, you could not get a full size cooler in the back. Take a hint Detroit.
Couldn't be happier!!!!!
We considered the Highlander and Murano, but after we drove the Pilot is was over! This vehicle just oozes quality. The minute I sat in the Honda you could see how much better and thought out the interior was compared to the competition. Also the dealership was far above Nissan and Toyota when it came to friendly and professional service. We bought the Black cherry w/ Black leather and the vehicle is just beautiful!!! It does pull to the right slightly so I'll be taking it back to get fixed. No big deal.
09 Pilot is great!
This SUV is terrific! I love driving it. It rides so quietly and feels so sturdy. I am looking forward to driving it for years to come!
A BIG Upgrade
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!
My first SUV
This was my first SUV and I love it! I've always owned sports cars, so it as a bit tough to choose which SUV was practical. It was a decision between the Ford Edge or the Pilot. After test driving the Pilot, I took it home the same night. Within days i was getting acquainted quite well with my Pilot. The interior is very roomy, perfect especially when you have kids or to jam a bunch of your friends for a weekend getaway. Not too happy with the mileage but expected for an SUV. I've already taken my pilot to the nation's capital from NJ for a break in. It was smooth riding all the way down even with icy and hazardous road conditions on I95. Overall this vehicle is safe and reliable.
Happy Pilot Owner
I've owned my Pilot for about a month now and I love it more every time I put it in drive. It is really smooth and comfortable. I love the the ipod control through the radio, bluetooth capability and great turning radius. For me it is the perfect size. I often drive with 7 passengers (+13 year olds) and it holds them perfectly. I had read previous reviews complaining about the glove box, now I understand - even the manual doesn't fit in it. It's only good for McDonalds napkins.
09 Touring--one month & 4,000 miles
Wow, this was quite the upgrade from our last vehicle, so it was a little overwhelming with all the options that came with the 2009 Touring with RES. Still haven't figured out everything. I was surprised at the size of it when I pulled it into the garage. This vehicle is huge, in a good way. The 8 person seating capability is great. Bluetooth phone is great for my wife who can't drive & hold a phone at the same time. The navigation unit far surpasses the portable one I just bought. I hope my enjoyment of the car continues for many years. I see no major issues yet.
The SUV for car lovers
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!
Love my pilot
I traded my 06 Accord in for a Pilot because of space issues after having our first child. I love my Pilot! The space in the back is amazing (with the back seat laid down). The drive is awesome. My husband keeps saying he can not believe how well it drives. The gas mileage is a bit disappointing but we realized that it would drop drastically from my Accord. we are averaging around 17-18 mpg. One complaint is the fog light inserts. Because of the base model, the just put some plastic caps in them. Not too attractive. And the rear ac/heat controls are only in the back of the middle console, so you can't see them from the front seat to change.
Best Value SUV
Great family ride. Have 2 kids who play a lot of sports, and taking them and their friend to games has been a breeze. Have had 8 people in the Pilot including 6 10 year old boys and everyone fits with plenty of room. Even when I have fewer kids, the kids will elect to sit in the third row. Just goes to show you how much space it has.
Our first Honda
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.
Incomplete Promises
Some of this is about purchase experience, but there are a few issues with the vehicle. Mileage - count on getting a full 1/3 less than promised. Driving as gently and efficiently as I can, I can't get over 12.4. Nimbleness - it has decent turn radius and good handling on the road, but is really over sized in parking, both getting into spaces and opening doors when parked. Stupid remote locking system - must unlock again to open hatch and can't click to lock if any door open. Maybe configurable, but haven't figured out. Finally, watch out for Honda Leasing. Closed with $0.15 per excess mile on 3 year, then called back in to sign new contract at $0.20. Wouldn't have leased at that rate.
Best Honda I have ever owned!!!
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.
2009 Honda Pilot
I bought this SUV after doing a lot of research and I love the fact that the engine converts down to 3 cyl. when not going faster. I had a 2004 Jeep Liberty before and the Honda Pilot drives so much better. It is very comfortable to drive in and ride in. I love it!!!
Best in class SUV Hands Down for the $$$
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
Honda Reliability???
I really wanted a GMC Acadia. Loved the look, but was a little scared with all the financial trouble. I also heard the GMC was not a reliable as a Honda. Therefore, trying to get the best buy for my money I bought a Honda Pilot. BIG MISTAKE. I have had major issues with the alignment. Feels like I go in ever other week. They (Honda Cars of Katy) keep telling me the Pilot was built to pull to the right. After spending 30K+ I thought I was getting a reliable car. Now after only 4 months of ownership, the paint is peeling in multiple places. The leather is already coming apart at the seams. I thought Honda was supposed to have quality vehicles, but I am sadly disappointed.
A Hard Choice
Our family had been looking at replacing our mini-van (Honda) for about 6 months. When our 2003 Odyssey sold in less than 24 hours, we ended up having to make a quick car purchase. Thankfully I had been doing lots of research. My 1st choice was a Chevy Tahoe, but I wasn't that thrilled with the size and lack of cargo space. We drove the Mazda CX-9, Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander, and the Honda Pilot. Of all of the vehicles, Honda had the smoothest ride. My husband and I are both very tall, and we fit comfortably in both the front and second row seats. The gas mileage isn't great, but it wasn't any different in any of the vehicles we drove (I'm not sure why it is constantly brought up).
Happy with Pilot
We've been happy with our Pilot. We're hooked on the XM radio, love the dual zone climate controls and are very impressed with the overall room of the interior. We were looking forward to having the class 3 trailer hitch, but were sorely disappointed with the fact that just the Honda trailer wire harness is $181 dollars for a 2 foot harness under the bumper(?!). Even more disappointed that the connector under the bumper is a goofy connector that NOBODY carries yet. Happy over all though. We'll just wait to buy a harness from someone not trying to rip off a customer for an overpriced set of wires. Happy with the handling, but our Pilot pulls to the right on level ground at constant speed
Blessed and Beautiful
This new vehicle is so exciting to drive and to ride in. Comfort and safety are hallmarks. One feels so secure in traveling in this truck. Being a truck, one feels confident to be able to haul heavy without loosing control due to overweight. I could not have purchased a better vehicle.
Roar baby Roar
I got my first Honda Truck in January. My PILOT EXL 4WD 500.00 a month. I love my truck quiet powerful roomy and well design. I like everything about the Pilot. You get your money's worth.
What happened Honda?!?
I had some pretty high expectations after happily owning two prior Hondas. And let me tell you, I have been pretty disappointed with my Pilot purchase. We placed both Honda and Toyota on top of our list for cars to look at, due to their good designs and quality ratings. We have worked with the dealership to TRY to fix several issues: 1-Known alignment issue with no fix. 2-Interior parts not installed correctly. 3-Rattles in the interior. 4-Steering vibration. 5- Temperature gauge stuck at reading 56 degrees. 6-AC display does not show on or off when running unless you press the button twice. Again, deeply disappointed with all the problems so far, and there is only 2500 miles on it!
Excessive Road Noise
I really like the 09 Pilot with the exception of the excessive road/tire noise at highway speeds. A vehicle in this price range should be reasonably quiet - this vehicle is not! The noise has become a real issue with my wife and me to the point that we may have to get rid of the vehicle, which is too bad, as I think it would be a great car it not for the noise
Functional Delight
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.
Love my new Pilot
After looking at the 2008 Pilot, Highlander, CRX-9, Santa Fe (any and all 3 row seat SUVs in the market to be honest) we decided to wait for the 2009 Pilot. It was so worth it! It has everything that we were looking for and more. We got the Touring with NAV and RES (more bang for our bucks) and LOVE all the features and xtra space it gives us. We need the space for family and camping trips, etc. The ride is really smooth and quite. I really feel we are safe in it (tons of safety features). So far it has been the best car that we have ever owned! If you are looking at this type of SUV you have to look at the 2009 Pilot, you won't consider any other car after this one.
Bluetooth phone not very good
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!
First Pilot
My wife wanted an SUV this time around since we drive in various weather conditions. Love the Pilot so far. It's surprisingly roomy and the features are outstanding. We had looked at most SUVs on the market and chose this one. We've had it 1 month now and I'm watching to see what the mpg will be. Got 20.5 avg on our first 500 mile trip at 73 mph. Like to see a little better but I'll give it time to break in. Still have to read the book occasionally to figure things out.
Holy monkey!!
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.)
2nd Pilot - Worth the Wait!
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!
No buyer's remorse
This vehicle has been great and I have recommended it to friends. The tire pressure, fuel and service notices are very helpful. This car is smart and takes the headache away from the driver. The turn radius is impressive. This car is smooth to drive and the entertainment including speakers and listening to music makes travel fun from taking kids to practice to driving coworkers at lunch. Reliable, easy to drive and park and looks and feels like a luxury vehicle. The new grille looks good. I also have the leather seats that are heated which I think not only look good but are also comfortable.