Long-Term Test: 2003 Honda Pilot EX

Why We Bought It
How It Drove
What It Was Like Inside
Summing Up
Changes to the Pilot Since 2003
Ups and Downs
Recalls and Problem History
Dealer Service Reviews
What Consumers Say

Why We Bought It

Identifying consumers' needs and wants in transportation is something that Honda does well. Then, the company engineers and builds vehicles that satisfy most of these needs and wants at a price most new car buyers can afford. The Civic economy sedan, Accord family sedan and Odyssey minivan are examples of practical, desirable vehicles that set the standard in their respective segments. Oddly enough, though, Honda was not at the vanguard of the sport-utility vehicle movement and wasted almost a decade rebadging Isuzu Rodeos. When the company finally got around to building a high-quality midsize SUV with real Honda genes, we knew we had to have one for our long-term test fleet.

Built on the same platform as the Honda Odyssey and the Acura MDX, the Pilot offers three rows of seating and can accommodate up to eight passengers. Drop its fold-flat, 60/40-split second- and third-row seats and you've got the most cargo capacity in the segment. Under the hood, there's a refined 3.5-liter V6, and a five-speed automatic transmission links up with a standard all-wheel-drive system that distributes power according to traction needs. Like the Ford Explorer, the Pilot has been designed expressly for family duty, but Honda has zeroed in on the configurations that buyers are most likely to want. Its car-based structure, smaller V6 and lack of low-range gearing mean that serious towing and off-roading aren't within its grasp, but Honda has correctly assessed that most SUV buyers don't do those things anyway.

Reading this description you would guess that the Pilot was destined for success. You'd be right, too. The company has sold every Pilot it has built over the last two years, and to date, this SUV has remained one the most researched vehicles on Edmunds.com. We consider it one of the finest SUVs available in its price range and awarded it honorable mention status in our 2004 Editors' Most Wanted voting.

Our experience with the 2003 Pilot EX in our long-term fleet was mixed, however. At the end of its tenure in the fleet, most editors still liked the vehicle and ranked it among their favorite midsize SUVs, but it tested our love. The biggest of these tests happened to come on a remote stretch of Interstate 70 in Utah when the timing belt snapped, stranding our editor in chief, his wife and their two young children. Granted the breakdown was the result of a missed recall notice (that our dealer never mentioned during a regular maintenance visit), but you never expect a modern-day vehicle to leave you on the side of the road — especially not when it's wearing the "H" badge.

Although the Pilot made a full recovery from this incident, our confidence in Hondas was shaken a bit. Fortunately, as you'll read in the consumer commentary section, none of the readers who wrote in to tell us about their Pilots had anything close to a breakdown. For now, it appears that our experience was one of a handful of anomalies rather than a widespread blow to Honda's legendary reputation for dependability.

How It Drove

With few exceptions, driving our Pilot was a pleasant experience. Rated for 240 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque, its VTEC-enhanced 3.5-liter V6 engine is exceptionally refined and adequate to the task of propelling a 4,400-pound vehicle. Most everyday driving maneuvers can be accomplished with ease, thanks to an automatic transmission that almost always served up crisp, timely shifts. Road Test Editor Brian Moody was one of the few drivers who took exception to this assessment of the tranny's fitness, as he commented, "Downshifts are too harsh, and expressway speeds of 40 mph or so seem to confuse it."

Unlike the V8-powered 4Runners, Durangos and Explorers of the world, though, the Pilot doesn't have an abundance of low-end torque and never struck us as an ideal tow vehicle. Moreover, on steep highway passes its hefty curb weight (compared to other car-based SUVs) came into play: It never had any difficulty making the climb, but it wasn't in a position to blow past other vehicles in the left lane. On the plus side, loading it up with passengers and cargo had little effect on acceleration. Another advantage is fuel economy. The Pilot is rated for 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Although our year-long average of 18.3 mpg might seem unremarkable, consider that our V8-equipped 2002 Explorer averaged just 14.4 mpg during its stay in our fleet.

In addition to the timing belt issue, the engine periodically suffered from an un-Hondalike cold start problem, in which it needed two or more cranks before it would start. Curiously, the problem surfaced just after the timing belt repair. It didn't occur consistently, though, even in cooler temperatures, and we doubt our local dealer would have been able to duplicate it. So we adopted a wait-and-see approach. Unfortunately, a quick check of Town Hall suggests that many other Pilot owners are experiencing this problem.

The Pilot offered a smooth, comfortable ride that just about every editor on staff liked. The suspension did a good job of absorbing ruts and bumps, such that the vehicle rarely lost its composure. Handling was cause for some disagreement among our staff. Although the Pilot is about the same length as other car-based midsize SUVs — the Mitsubishi Endeavor, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander — it's considerably wider. This, along with its heavy frame, can give it a comparatively sluggish and encumbered feel in turns — a big turn-off to a few drivers. "The longer I drive the Pilot, the heavier and bulkier it feels," Brian wrote in his notes. "The steering feels like deadweight most of the time — 'uncommunicative' is putting it mildly."

Others were impressed by the SUV's reflexes, given its above-average size and weight. "I didn't seek out any twisty back roads, but in the course of my travels, I encountered a number of high-speed curves and cloverleaf entrance ramps," Road Test Editor Erin Riches wrote. "In these situations, the Pilot demonstrated exemplary body control and good steering response and weighting. While I was still aware that I was driving a top-heavy SUV (and not a sports car), I was able to get around the turns as quickly as most other vehicles on the road — and with a high level of confidence. If you resign yourself to the fact that you're driving a family vehicle intended for five or more people and their cargo, the Honda does not disappoint."

Road Test Editor John DiPietro mostly agreed, writing, "The Pilot's strong suit in this area is its supple ride. Handling is fine for the most part, if a little lazy when compared to more athletic rivals such as the Murano. Overall, the Pilot is pleasant to drive for a bigger SUV."

Braking performance was above average, also considering the weight of the vehicle. Stopping distances were relatively short — our long-termer needed 134 feet to stop from 60 mph — and pedal feel was progressive and reassuring. The Pilot did have a bout of warped brake rotors with just 23,500 miles on the odometer. This was both disappointing and expensive — $257 plus tax to have the front rotors resurfaced.

The Pilot's standard VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system is designed primarily for all-weather capability, and we had a couple of occasions to test it in snow. In both instances, it proved its worth as a hardy snow vehicle. From Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed's notes during a holiday trip to Lake Tahoe: "As the snow grew deeper — often six inches or more on the road — the Pilot never lost traction, even as the road climbed to 7,350 feet over the Donner Pass on Interstate 80."

The morning after his arrival in Tahoe, Phil and the Pilot were faced with a very steep incline covered in hard-packed snow. "I fully expected the tires to break loose, sending me sliding back down the hill," he wrote in his logbook. "I could hear individual wheels spin and lose traction, but then the power was automatically redirected to the other wheels. It was amazing."

What It Was Like Inside

Inside, the Pilot looks and feels like other Hondas — welcoming and uncomplicated. From John's logbook: "I like the Pilot's simple cabin design that has a few splashes of metallic trim to break it up. Details such as the stitched, soft-touch door armrests and precise feel of the controls continue to endear me to Honda products."

Materials quality was as good as or better than that of top competitors. Editors did take issue with a few of the surfaces, namely the leather upholstery, whose perforated sections had developed small "hairs" only a few thousand miles into the ownership experience. Build quality was top-notch, though, and after 28,000 miles, everything felt as secure as it had when the Pilot was new.

Most controls were familiar and straightforward in their operation from the moment editors set foot in the vehicle. The one exception to this was the stereo head unit, which moves to the bottom of the center stack in vehicles with the factory navigation system. "I don't like the too-low location for the display," John wrote. "I couldn't read it without contorting my head downward, making it virtually impossible (and too dangerous) to look at unless I was stopped. I realize that this atypical lapse in Honda's usually superb ergonomics was due to the presence of the nav system, but perhaps it should have the radio display at the top of the nav screen."

"This location was especially annoying when trying to use the tiny '+/-' seek buttons on the right side of the head unit to advance a CD track," Erin agreed. "I had to train myself to rely only on the steering wheel buttons. It was still a pain to have to look all the way down to the bottom of the stack to read the clock, though."

Seat comfort was deemed average, as editors reported that the seats were OK for short-distance trips but grew tiresome after two hours or so. Unlike other SUVs, you can't get adjustable pedals or a telescoping steering wheel — which proved to be a source of irritation for one of our pickier drivers. "I find it really difficult to find a good seating position in this vehicle — it usually takes about two days of driving it before I get it where I want it," Erin wrote. "If the Pilot had a telescoping steering wheel adjustment, it would be a lot easier. Better contouring for the back cushion would help, too. Ultimately, I can be content in the driver seat, but only if I sit much closer to the wheel than I ordinarily would (with my legs folded up under the dash)."

The doughnut-style front head restraints were also bothersome to some editors. "They are hollowed-out hard plastic units covered by leather, and they don't articulate," Editor in Chief Karl Brauer observed. "If you just sit in the front seats for less than an hour, you hardly notice them, but recline the seat back and try to use the headrests for support as you catch a few winks (in the passenger seat, of course), and the hard plastic and open center prove extremely uncomfortable."

The second row offered plenty of room for two or three passengers, depending on whether a bulky child safety seat had taken up residence in the center position. The seat's somewhat short seat bottom and the obtrusive headliner-mounted shoulder belt in the center position were the only complaints offered by the adults who sat back here. Unfortunately, the second row doesn't offer fore/aft adjustment (the seat slides but only locks down in one position), so third-row legroom is tight compared to that of the Explorer. We found the rearmost seat a good match for preschoolers and, on short trips anyway, short-statured adults.

Storage space up front is about as generous as it gets in a family vehicle, and every editor who drove the Pilot commented on its ability to swallow up all of the paraphernalia they had on them. "During a road trip, my boyfriend and I found a place for just about everything we had in the center console area — two large water bottles, about 10 or so CD cases, my cell phone, a couple tins of mints, a garage opener, pens, ibuprofen, my small purse, you name it," Erin jotted down in the logbook.

Cargo space is similarly impressive, and with flat-folding seats in both the second and third rows, there's quite a bit of space and flexibility. "I needed to haul some items from Home Depot, one of which was a 69-inch-long (that's just under six feet) box containing vertical blinds," Karl related in his notes. "Short of bolting the box to the Pilot's roof rack, the only way to carry this item involved folding down both the second- and third-row seats, and passing the box between the two front seats. Several shorter boxes also had to be carried on this same trip.

"No big deal theoretically, but a combination of factors required that the Pilot also carry my two children, aged two and four, while simultaneously transporting the vertical blinds. After some brief head scratching a rather simple solution presented itself. By placing both young ones on the Pilot's passenger side (one in the second-row seat and one in the third row), I was able to fold down the "60" section of the 60/40-split folding rear seats. Now one side of the Pilot was serving family transport duty while the other side served as a cargo van."

Although the DVD-based navigation system was not without its faults, we were generally satisfied with its performance. "While some like to argue that 'a $10 Rand McNally map is cheaper,' my wife, Stacie, and I feel the comparison is too hasty a dismissal," Karl wrote. "A map can't give you accurate time/distance updates as you drive. A map can't direct you to the nearest gas station or ATM. A map can't zoom in and out to offer a varying level of road detail when you need to find a quick, alternate route through small rural towns. The Honda's DVD-based navigation system did all of this without fail." Editors also liked the fact that Honda allows you to program destinations while the vehicle is motion. "Several times my wife would be putting in an address while I drove," Brian said, "and it really proved to be a timesaver."

Honda does not allow Pilot buyers to select both the nav and entertainment systems from the factory, so we opted for a dealer-installed rear DVD entertainment system priced identically to the factory system. While the system generally functioned as advertised, there are a few disadvantages to going this route. First, the black headliner-mounted unit didn't match the tan interior of our long-termer and its larger flip-down screen blocks rear visibility. Secondly, watching a movie isn't as simple as inserting a DVD and pressing "play." In order to hear the sound, the stereo has to be set to the 88.7 FM frequency. Additionally, "you must wait for the system to be on and fully functional before attempting to load a DVD or it gets stuck," Road Test Coordinator Kelly Stennick reported. "I had to use tweezers to remove one of my daughter's DVDs. Some systems turn themselves on when they feel the DVD being loaded — unfortunately, this is not one of them."

Summing Up

Although our Pilot ownership experience had a few more ups and downs than we expected, after 28,000 miles, we still felt that it was a solid vehicle that would provide years of reliable service. And we were confident enough to turn it over to another owner.

Selling our long-term Pilot turned out to be much harder than we had anticipated. First of all, we didn't have True Market Value"® information (for a used 2003 vehicle) when we started the process so we couldn't accurately set our asking price. Secondly, we were trying to sell it during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's, so potential buyers were more occupied with other issues such as Christmas shopping. Furthermore, our Pilot had nearly $4,000 worth of dealer add-ons (tow package, DVD player and other goodies). When viewed with other Pilots for sale in our area, our price seemed very high.

After several weeks, during which we had little activity from our classified ads, we decided to hold an eBay auction. Initially, we posted only one picture though, and we got few bids. Later, we posted additional photos, and the bidding became more spirited. Finally, the Pilot sold for a mere $100 over our reserve figure, $25,000, for the bargain basement price of $25,100. Our buyer, from Massachusetts, came out on a business trip to inspect the Pilot. It passed muster, and he gave us a cashier's check. We dropped it at an auto shipper for its trip to the East Coast.

Even in the modern automotive world, there are no guarantees. Our Pilot's timing belt mishap is proof that even good cars are subject to the occasional stumble. "The timing belt problem soured my opinion somewhat of the Pilot," John said, "but not to the extent that I'm writing it off. Like a straight-A student who got a C on one project, it's atypical, and forgivable. It still ranks as one of my favorites in this class."

If you're looking for roomy family transportation but can't see yourself in a minivan and/or require added all-weather capability, the Pilot is certainly worth a look. Of course, so are the Highlander, Explorer, 4Runner, the redesigned Dodge Durango and five-passenger SUVs like the Endeavor and Murano. But if you're looking for the vehicle that can do it all — carry five kids, haul serious cargo, brave winter snows and conserve gas — the Honda moves to the top of the list.

True Market Value at Lease-end: $28,140¹
What It Sold For: $25,100
Depreciation: $11,913 or 32 percent of original price paid²
Final Odometer Reading: 28,798
Best Fuel Economy: 25.6 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.6 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 18.3 mpg
Total Body Repair Costs: $2,920.14
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 15 months): $324.49
Additional Maintenance Costs: $384.71
Warranty Repairs: 2
Non-Warranty Repairs: 2
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 3
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Days Out of Service: 19
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: 1

¹This is the private-party sale TMV for a dark green 2003 Honda Pilot EX (with leather, a navigation system and a dealer-installed entertainment system) with 28,800 miles in the 90404 zip code as of December 2003.

²To calculate depreciation, we compared the original price paid ($37,013) to the actual sale price ($25,100) to a private individual 15 months later.

Changes to the Pilot Since 2003

2004 — Leather-equipped EX models received heated seats and side mirrors as standard equipment. Honda upgraded the navigation system this year with a larger database, and all models gained improved walk-in accessibility to the third-row seat. Finally, an enhanced seatbelt reminder system was added.

Ups and Downs

Ups: Great value, spacious cabin with lots of storage and flexible seating, refined V6 engine, comfortable ride, excellent foul weather capability, outstanding crash test scores.

Downs: Hefty dimensions and curb weight can make it feel cumbersome; disappointing repair history; can't get sunroof, stability control or head curtain airbags.

The Bottom Line: A well-rounded midsize SUV that should be a natural fit for families who need plenty of seating capacity and/or all-weather capability.

Recalls and Problem History

Recalls:
1 — On certain vehicles, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began Aug. 30, 2002.

Problem History:
1. Although generally effective, the factory-installed navigation system incorrectly showed the vehicle's current location on numerous occasions during our 15-month ownership period. In these instances, it had difficulty providing accurate directions to programmed destinations. Nav-equipped Pilots received an expanded database for 2004 — which should provide at least a partial resolution for this problem.

2. In April 2003, we noted a slight pull to the left and suspected that one of the front wheels was out of balance. A visit to an alignment shop revealed that the toe setting was off — and likely had been since we purchased the Pilot.

3. The Pilot's timing belt snapped in a remote section of Utah in May 2003, stranding an editor and his family. The breakdown was the result of a misaligned tensioner pulley on the water pump, which was covered by a recall notice issued shortly after we purchased the vehicle. Unfortunately, we never received a letter from Honda, nor did Goudy Honda of Alhambra, Calif., address it during our 7,500-mile service visit.

4. Immediately after the timing belt repair, we noted an intermittent cold start problem. In cooler temperatures, the engine occasionally required two or more attempts before it would start. Since the problem did not occur consistently, we did not bring it to the attention of a dealer while the Pilot was in our care.

5. The passenger-side rear window stopped working in July 2003 (fortunately, it was rolled up at the time). Initially, we suspected a blown fuse, but later when we examined the fuses, we found the fuse in question simply was not there — we'll never know who removed it and why. In any case, we replaced the fuse before we sold the Pilot.

6. Once we hit about 23,500 miles on the odometer, editors began to report vibration in the pedal and steering wheel during moderate braking efforts — typically a symptom of warped brake rotors. When we brought our concern to the attention of our local dealer, a technician confirmed our diagnosis and charged us $257 to replace the brake pads and resurface the rotors.

Dealer Service Reviews

Goudy Honda in Alhambra, Calif.
"When the odometer clicked over at 7,500 miles, it was time to have the Pilot serviced for the first time. We took it back to Goudy Honda in Alhambra, Calif., where we bought it, intending to use a coupon we had for a free oil change. We were quickly greeted by Agustin Peña, the service advisor, who cheerfully accepted the coupon and made no attempt to rope us into a 'dealer-recommended' service, which are typically very pricey. We were only charged $12.95 for the tire rotation, a very good deal, and we were on our way in only a half-hour. 'This was one of the most painless service visits I've ever had,' Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed noted."

Jim Fuoco Motor Company, in Grand Junction, Colo.
"It took Jim Fuoco Motor Company three days to repair the Pilot after the timing belt snapped, during which time we also had them perform the 15,000-mile service at a cost of $153.53. Included in this service was an oil and filter change, a replacement of the rear differential fluid and a full brake inspection that showed the brake pads to be at 11/32, front and rear."

Santa Monica Honda in Santa Monica, Calif.
"We called the dealer on Tuesday and were able to bring it in first thing Wednesday morning for its 22,500-mile service. We picked it up at noon."

What Consumers Say

"The birth of our second son prompted us to trade in my wife's Acura Legend. Since choosing the Pilot over the Ford Explorer/Merc Mtne'r a year ago, we have been nothing but pleased. We have room for all our stuff, and we don't have to rack our brains figuring out how to pack for a trip, or a run to Home Depot, Ikea or Costco. The third seat comes in handy when we're hauling extra family or friends (kids only). The DVD entertainment system is a life saver on long trips. The short wheelbase makes the thing very maneuverable. A real plus since we drive in town and park on the street. The only 'problems' have been a couple of odd noises from the left rear and in the dash which I haven't bothered to get looked at yet, a slight sagging in the front leather seats, and a green line in the video screen that was replaced under warranty. We wholeheartedly recommend the Pilot to everyone who asks. I think Honda has created the perfect vehicle for growing urban families. In short, the Pilot seems like it was made just for us." — Todd L., Washington, D.C.

"I own a December 2002-built Starlight Silver Honda Pilot EX-L. I wanted to first of all say that this vehicle is a whole lot of car for the money. When SUV shopping, it was impossible to get 8 seats for $30K. I am impressed by the amenities, space and features of this car; I still have to refer to my manual to fully understand some of them. Here comes my big but: I have uneven silver paint (the biggest complaint I have), it wouldn't start one time, and the stereo/clock head unit will occasionally be absolutely dead. I took it in to the dealership and they did nothing. They sent me on my way to monitor it. My perforated leather has strange fuzz coming through it, the driver-side floor mat is poorly designed leaving a carpeted area of the floor exposed. The subwoofer is vibrating, and radio reception is poor. I had her in the shop also for minor things: to fix a light cover that would stick in the on position, a piece of rocker panel that was not installed correctly, broken vents in the rear console and to put body plugs in the frame that should have been installed upon delivery. Fuel economy is a consistent 16 mpg. The power feels good, driving position is perfect. She feels absolutely secure on the road, but the cheap Goodyear Integrity tires make me nervous. The grade logic system seems a bit too intrusive slowing me down as if I've hit the brakes — scary. Anyway, just my .02. Am I glad I bought this car? Yes. I need her with 3 young kids, and it's all I could afford. It suits all of my needs as a stay-at-home mom. I'm sad to say that Honda quality just doesn't seem as great as it once was. My '94 Civic is perfect with 173K on it." — Aimee Pittman, Port Orchard, Wash.

"Best motor vehicle I have owned in 43 years of driving. Superb handling, mileage, room and power!" — David Zitlow

"I have a Sagebrush Pearl EX with cloth seats. I don't have the DVD or the nav system. I've had my Pilot since Sept. '02 and have been incredibly pleased with it. I have nearly 25,000 miles and haven't had one problem with anything. I have to disagree with your comments on the V6 engine in the Pilot. My experience is it's a well-matched engine for a vehicle its size. I would put this V6 engine up against the V8 available in the Ford Explorer any day of the week. This engine is velvet smooth and I think has more than reasonable throttle response. I live in Colorado and spent a considerable amount of time driving through the mountains and I always find the transmission's 'Grade Logic' programming does an excellent job of finding the right gear for climbing and the engine never really sounds too strained. I'm very impressed with the engine/transmission and VTM4. As for handling, I would put the part of the blame on the tires. Yes, the Pilot is a crossover vehicle, but Honda should put some more 'meat' on those wheels. Honda should have gone with at least a 245/17-inch series of tire. I think the editors of Edmunds and owners of the Pilot would have a different opinion of the Pilot's handling." — R.J. O'Connor, Parker, Colo.

"I purchased my Honda Pilot last September, which probably makes me one of the first Pilot owners in Houston. Although I consider myself to be a big fan of the vehicle, there are a few things that bother me. The road noise is much louder than in any of the comparable Toyota SUVs, and the gas mileage in my (mostly) city driving is barely better than my previously owned Jeep Grand Cherokee V8. I am also disappointed in the lack of a couple of basic safety features: no automatic door locks and no automatic headlights. These negatives are far outweighed by the positives: smooth and comfortable ride, good acceleration, perfect size of the vehicle and excellent fit and finish. Personally, I love the 'looks' of the vehicle, too. I have had no reliability problems to date, with the exception of a blown fuse (perhaps caused by my aftermarket sound system). This vehicle is my first Honda, and will most certainly be the first of many in the future." — Scott Sperling, Houston, Texas

"Bought in early December 2002. Currently have 7,600 miles. Overall very pleased with Pilot. Replaced Goodyear Integrity tires with Michelin Cross Terrain. Vibration between 68-80 mph disappeared with new tires. Seatbelt beats the post between doors. Plastic full of dings. Dealer replaced the plastic post cover but no fix for problem — belt tension appears to be too loose. The Pilot is my 11th Honda vehicle since 1984. I think the overall quality has slipped a notch, but I am still partial to Honda vehicles." — David Combs, Mason Neck, Va.

"I'd like to share some of my thoughts regarding my Honda Pilot, which I've had since the first week of December, 2002, and 15,000 miles later. As you might expect, I read with great interest each monthly installment of your long-term test to see if your experiences and opinions matched mine. My Pilot replaced a leased 2000 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.7 V8. And while I like the quiet, smoothness and extra space of the Pilot, I really miss the torque, pulling power, and the 'nothing can hurt this vehicle' feeling the Jeep had. And frankly, the Pilot does no better on gas than the Jeep did, provided you drove it sensibly. For example, in April, I had to pull my 2,200-lb bass boat 200 miles to deliver it to a buyer. It was a fairly windy day, with a 10-15-mile-an-hour headwind. I got, and this is no exaggeration, 10 mpg, at 70 mph. Most of the time it was kicking in and out of 5th and 4th (and even sometimes to 3rd) gear with the torque converter not knowing to lock up or not. You could just feel the vehicle working 'hard.' Forget using cruise control when towing with this vehicle, too. Even with my light utility trailer empty, it constantly shifts out of 5th gear…the vehicle is geared just too high. Suffice it to say, Honda's tow rating of 3,500/4,500 lbs is a joke. Perhaps having a 'D4' setting which you could lock in would've helped. Other minor gripes…no compass! Really depended on that in the Jeep. Second row of seats don't fold FLAT. Yeah, they go down, and make a great deal of space, but not folding flat??? Tires: My Pilot came with the Bridgestones. At the rate they're wearing, I'll be lucky to get 25,000 miles out of them. Why weren't Michelin 'Cross Terrain' put on as factory OEM? Column-mounted gearshift is not driver-friendly, either. Would I buy again? No, though I've always been a Honda fan, and have had 3 previous ones (my wife currently has a '96 Accord EX with 86,000 miles on it)." — Gordy Dybdahl, Green Bay, Wis.

"I purchased my Honda Pilot EX model last year in October. So far it hasn't disappointed me or my family at all. During the bad snowstorm in the early part of this year, I was able to safely make it to my workplace (hospital) and back. It is very comfortable inside and also fuel economy is impressive. Hope to keep it for a long time." — Kyaw Naing, Carbondale, Ill.

"I have had the Pilot for more than a year now and I have almost 15,000 miles on it. So far it has been problem-free and I consider it to be the best SUV out in the market now. Smooth with excellent interior design and of course excellent engineering. Read Pilot's engineering and you will find out. I have driven all other SUVs out there, [and] nothing comes close to the Pilot. What I don't understand is that when Road Test Editor Brain Moody says that the Pilot has a 'choppy ride.' What has he been driving?" — Praneel Chand, Calif.

"I'm the owner of a metallic blue Pilot with DVD system. I drove the Nissan Pathfinder, comparing it to the Pilot that I was buying. For me, the Pilot felt sturdier, more solid, drove and handled great and I have found the gas mileage to be very good. I did not want to buy an SUV I could not afford to drive. Gas mileage is as good or better than the van I previously drove. The only thing I wish I had added to my Pilot were running boards. I like the wide stance of the Pilot as well. I am a solid Pilot fan. Both of my children love the Pilot, the entertainment system is factory installed and easy to use from the front or controlled by my son with the remote in the back, just like the DVD player at home. I like to listen to the movies that they watch at times as the sound system is quite good. They love to put their headphones on and cruise along, I can listen to my music and we are all happy. It was a very good thing to have on our first long distance trip. We don't use the 3rd seats unless we have to, but they are a nice advantage in a pinch. I use the cargo area instead, which is more than adequate and wide. I have even employed the handy outlet in the back to fire up an air pump to blow up beach toys! This winter it handled great in the snow and as we live on a long, dirt road that is rarely maintained, the Pilot is my best friend…seriously. In traffic it handles well and I have been pleased with its performance on the highway. The passing gear can take over when I am getting around semis and gets us through the highway miseries with grace. We did add a few years to the warranty and I have the Honda Roadside Assistance Plan, just in case. I had to add my two cents worth…I LOVE my Pilot." — Colleen Stapley

"I have had a red Pilot EX since June 8, 2002, when they came out. I have had some minor things the dealer needed to fix…the lenses for the rear lights were not on right…the window tracks were dirty so the window rattled a bit. Nothing major. I also have driven the Pilot off-road already. Taking it to Death Valley and driving to a place called the Race Track. It is 27 miles one way of a washboard and sometimes sandy road. The Pilot handled it quite well. I would have not driven it in my old car. I also had the foglight kit installed and I must say the headlight on the vehicle and foglights are quite bright. I have about 22,800 miles on the car as of today. When I head out camping, I can sleep inside the back of the vehicle with both sets of seats folded down. I am about 6-foot-1 tall and I can lay down right in the back with no problems." — Eric, Los Angeles, Calif.

"Just a few comments. One, the air-vent flaps right behind the console when brushed or hit come out of their little hinges and the vents look like they are all broken. You have to manually put each little flap back into its slot. Two, you have to be careful when getting into the driver side so that your knee does not bump into the cruise control or cabin light rocker switches and turn them on or off accidentally. And third, and mostly when you first start out the driveway and hit the brakes, there is a noticeable clicking in the braking system. What's with that? I've owned Hondas before and usually it's those little attentions to detail and quality that impressed me and millions of others, but this time I'm not so sure. I'm wondering if others out there had these little annoyances?" — Ron Schmude, Oshkosh, Wis.

"I got my sagebrush Pilot with DVD back in Thanksgiving 2002 and it is by far the best car I've been in. The Pilot is so much better than the 2001 Civic that I traded for this car. But then again the Civic is an economical vehicle, so I guess you get what you pay for. I'm surprised that the size of the vehicle can get into little tight corners and spaces. The fuel economy is pretty good, I always average about 20 mpg, and I usually drive in the freeway during gridlock traffic. I just wish that the liftgate glass in the back could go up and down like the regular windows just like the 4Runner. Acceleration is really peppy especially when the engine runs at 3,000 rpm, but I usually don't go that high to save on fuel, so 2,000-2,500 rpm is just as good. What I like about the engine is that I can drive at 75 mph and the engine still runs under 2,000 rpm, well maybe 1,950 rpm. But I do have one odd problem. Sometimes on the freeway when I'm traveling about 60 mph, the back of the car feels like it sways left and right a bit. When I took it to the dealer, they said they didn't find anything that threatens the safety. So it might have been the grooves in the road. Honda has certainly built a genuine vehicle; the car's reliability certainly lives up to the Honda name." — Howard L., Anaheim, Calif.

"I've had my Pilot since January and am very pleased overall. I'm happy with the handling characteristics, especially when compared with my previous car, a '98 Bravada. I also have a window problem. My driver window won't go down. Have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to address this." — Don Weeden, Orlando, Fla.

"Bought a new EX-L in May which replaced a 2000 Explorer XLT. The difference is night and day. Never felt all that safe in the Explorer. The ride was horrible, the interior ergonomics even worse. The Pilot is rock solid. Interior is not spectacular but just what you need. The ride is carlike in our opinion. The outside styling is growing on us. As usual, when Honda steps into a niche they hit a home run. It just takes them a while to get there." — Heather & Tommy, Louisville, Ky.

"Except for one issue, I like the Pilot's solid feel and handling. Given its weight and size, it's very maneuverable and well designed. The SRS light (side airbag off) has been going on/off every 10-15 minutes when no one is sitting on the front passenger car seat. Nothing is placed on/near it either. I understand that the light is supposed to go off if a small child (or an object whose weight is close to that of a child) or someone leans into the path of the airbag. However, none of that applies. After having taken it to my original dealer — who couldn't fix it. (He took the battery connector off and reset the computer.) I am hesitant to take it to another dealer who may waste more of my time or break something else." — L.K.

"I have only had my Pilot less than a week having traded in a Mazda minivan. Comments: The driver seat, while big and cushy, is not designed well for 5-foot-4 woman. I can't drive the car unless I'm less than a foot from the airbag and the seat feels tilted awkwardly downward which makes me nervous. I would like to have adjustable foot pedals. The 'car' does feel rather large, which while I was looking for highway safety, makes for rather an over compensation for around town. Once we take it on a cross-country trip, though, I will probably be applauding our choice of safety and space. One other comment, was hoping luggage area, rear windows would crack open like Mazda minivan's. Was a handy, secure way to vent car while we were at the beach/shopping. Electric pop-open, venting rear windows would make my day!" — Katy Beemer

"I am the 17-year-old son of a Honda Pilot owner, but I also drive it. I've been reading about your adventure with your Pilot since we have gotten ours in November. We live in Orlando, Fla., so we don't have to go through snow and mountains, but we do have more than our fair share of rain and floods. There isn't much not to like about the Pilot. It looks very nice for a 'family' vehicle, very smooth with nice lights. It drives well around town and all right on rough pavement. The engine is just perfect for the Pilot. The seats (the first and second row, anyway) are comfortable. The third row is pretty good for adults but only for short trips. I actually used the third row for a trip to Pensacola Beach and Panama Beach. Since I was the only one back there, I picked up the larger seat (60/40-split second and third rows) and stretched out. It's great for one person like me (5 feet 11), but kind of pushing it for two. Everything is easy to find in the driver seat and I still get a good view of my surroundings. There is a huge cargo compartment/armrest with a strategically placed outlet for a cell phone or PDA. I like how everything has a place and there's more space to spare. There has been a minor problem with the driver's automatic power window. It [only] wants to be automatic when it feels like it. Another thing that upsets me is that there isn't a sunroof. All the other Honda EX models have a sunroof except for the Pilot." — Darrell, Orlando, Fla.

"I am an owner of a Honda Pilot EX-L and have been a Honda lover for some time. I live in Canada, so I have the heated seats and mirrors. As much as I LOVE Hondas and have been very happy with all of mine, I am wondering why my Pilot is not up to par. I was expecting a lot better from Honda.

"Good things:
Lots of room
Love my Havasu color!
Great resale
VERY quiet engine
Good power

"Not so good:
Stereo/CD is cheap at best, surprised Honda would put this system in a $43,000 Canadian SUV.
I also agree with your road test regarding handling. Great in a straight line but turning corners sucks.
Cheap interior moldings/door pillars, They scratch and nick VERY easy. (What's up with that, Honda?)
Seats are OK, but I find them a little hard (you can't even sit in the second row/middle, the backing is way too hard due to the activity center). Now it seats seven instead of eight.
Road noise is a little high on the highway, and also notice it is rough on normal paved roads.

"Problems:
My Pilot does NOT like to start and have sent Honda Canada a letter regarding this issue. Honda has finally phoned me and is investigating this as they have admitted that more owners are having this issue turn up. Honda is replacing an AC pulley that makes a clunking noise whenever I start up the Pilot with the AC turned on.
Honda also looking at fixing clunking sound when I apply the brakes, also could be the struts.

"All in all, I am still happy with my Honda Pilot. I hope to keep my Pilot for 10 years or so, but am disappointed in some of the features and the cheaper way Honda slapped the Pilot together. I hope they can make some improvements in years to come. I will be taking a harder look at the new Hondas before spending this type of money again." — Rob Viveiros, Canada