2006 Honda Pilot review
#1
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2006 Honda Pilot review
I'm planning on getting a mid-size SUV (yes I know, planet destroyer that I am ) and I decided to look at the 2006 Honda Pilot.
For 2006 Honda has freshened the Pilots front/rear looks, added some new features and options and now offers 2WD as well as AWD models.
The 2WD model is interesting because it also incorporates cylinder de-activation (runs on 3 cylinder when in low load cruising situations like on a relatively flat highway) something GM and Chrysler are also pushing heavily these days to boost fuel economy, but on a V6 it is challenging because running on 3 cylinders can cause vibration and noise, but innovative Honda attempts to get around these issues by incorporating active noise cancellation (ANC) (like Bose headphones only using the speakers) and active engine mounts to try to reduce vibration in 3 cylinder mode. These last 2 features are only on the 2WD models, as the AWD models don't do the cylinder de-activation. This technology has been available in the Honda Odyssey for a year apparently and hasn't been a problem at least according to the Honda dealer salesperson who we all know are completely trustworthy, right?
It's been a while since I was in a Honda though and when I sat in the drivers seat I realized instantly how much I love Honda's ergonomics. The dash and controls were flat out wonderful. Also beautiful to look at. No not wood and flash, that's not the Pilot's thing, but just great design, no bits jutting out or overly complex layouts. Everything falls right to hand. The navigation system, which I was particularly interested in (having enjoyed the one on my GS400 so much) is excellent - far better than my 6 year old one. It can also be voice activated (recognition) although I didn't try this. Apparently this system is the same as the latest one in its cousin, the Acura MDX. The guages are also perfectly positioned, clear, and stylish.
At idle the engine is VERY quiet and smooth. As we pulled out onto a road however, I noticed the overall noise level was higher than I'd expected it to be - perhaps the level of sound deadening is limited because this is already a 4000+lb vehicle.
The engine is more than adequately powerful, even at low rpms (V6's not being known for good low end torque usually) and works well with the 5 speed auto.
The 2006 Pilot features greatly increased safety with 10 (I think!) airbags, including side curtains. A crash in this high tech baby will leave you with more inflated balloons than at a William Shatner birthday party.
The Pilot has 3 rows of seats, the rear row fold into the 'floor' but this really means the floor ends up being high but at least it's flat. The 2nd row seats fold forward to make a fairly flat but sloping upward cargo space all the way to the back of the front seats, a pretty huge volume.
I didn't think the front seat travelled back enough though (for my long legs) and I didn't think the 2nd row and CERTAINLY not the 3rd row (good for amputees) had enough leg room.
The on road ride was comfortable and competent without being overly floaty or harsh - in other words, very good.
In the style of the review-meister mmarshall, I'll summarize some pros and cons
PROs
- price (fully loaded discounted price was about $31000 + tax)
- lots of flexible people and cargo configurations
- rides and drives great
- awesome dash design
- awesome navigation system
CONs
- no telescoping steering column (just tilt up/down)
- peculiar bulging left dead pedal
- not really enough leg room in any of the 3 rows of seats for a tall guy (I'm 6'3")
- it's still homely looking, even after the freshening
Bottom line - would I buy one? No - mainly because of lack of front leg room (I think I'd get cramps on long journeys) with the funky dead pedal, and more road noise than I expected. But it is a great vehicle, just not for me.
For 2006 Honda has freshened the Pilots front/rear looks, added some new features and options and now offers 2WD as well as AWD models.
The 2WD model is interesting because it also incorporates cylinder de-activation (runs on 3 cylinder when in low load cruising situations like on a relatively flat highway) something GM and Chrysler are also pushing heavily these days to boost fuel economy, but on a V6 it is challenging because running on 3 cylinders can cause vibration and noise, but innovative Honda attempts to get around these issues by incorporating active noise cancellation (ANC) (like Bose headphones only using the speakers) and active engine mounts to try to reduce vibration in 3 cylinder mode. These last 2 features are only on the 2WD models, as the AWD models don't do the cylinder de-activation. This technology has been available in the Honda Odyssey for a year apparently and hasn't been a problem at least according to the Honda dealer salesperson who we all know are completely trustworthy, right?
It's been a while since I was in a Honda though and when I sat in the drivers seat I realized instantly how much I love Honda's ergonomics. The dash and controls were flat out wonderful. Also beautiful to look at. No not wood and flash, that's not the Pilot's thing, but just great design, no bits jutting out or overly complex layouts. Everything falls right to hand. The navigation system, which I was particularly interested in (having enjoyed the one on my GS400 so much) is excellent - far better than my 6 year old one. It can also be voice activated (recognition) although I didn't try this. Apparently this system is the same as the latest one in its cousin, the Acura MDX. The guages are also perfectly positioned, clear, and stylish.
At idle the engine is VERY quiet and smooth. As we pulled out onto a road however, I noticed the overall noise level was higher than I'd expected it to be - perhaps the level of sound deadening is limited because this is already a 4000+lb vehicle.
The engine is more than adequately powerful, even at low rpms (V6's not being known for good low end torque usually) and works well with the 5 speed auto.
The 2006 Pilot features greatly increased safety with 10 (I think!) airbags, including side curtains. A crash in this high tech baby will leave you with more inflated balloons than at a William Shatner birthday party.
The Pilot has 3 rows of seats, the rear row fold into the 'floor' but this really means the floor ends up being high but at least it's flat. The 2nd row seats fold forward to make a fairly flat but sloping upward cargo space all the way to the back of the front seats, a pretty huge volume.
I didn't think the front seat travelled back enough though (for my long legs) and I didn't think the 2nd row and CERTAINLY not the 3rd row (good for amputees) had enough leg room.
The on road ride was comfortable and competent without being overly floaty or harsh - in other words, very good.
In the style of the review-meister mmarshall, I'll summarize some pros and cons
PROs
- price (fully loaded discounted price was about $31000 + tax)
- lots of flexible people and cargo configurations
- rides and drives great
- awesome dash design
- awesome navigation system
CONs
- no telescoping steering column (just tilt up/down)
- peculiar bulging left dead pedal
- not really enough leg room in any of the 3 rows of seats for a tall guy (I'm 6'3")
- it's still homely looking, even after the freshening
Bottom line - would I buy one? No - mainly because of lack of front leg room (I think I'd get cramps on long journeys) with the funky dead pedal, and more road noise than I expected. But it is a great vehicle, just not for me.
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Nice job, bit.
You are correct about Honda's ergonomics and interior quality....some of the best in the industry.
The Honda NAV systems, as you found out, are also some of the best.
The most likely reason that the AWD models don't get the cylinder deactivation is the added weight and drag of the AWD hardware....this is already a lot of vehicle, even in the FWD mode, for three cylinders to be lugging around.
In fact, it's really hard to fault Honda products except for the fact that most of their 4-cylinder engines don't have much torque and that Honda has the shortest warranty of any Japanese manufacturer.....3 years/ 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, without a 5/60 drivetrain like other Japanese companies. The only exception is on some of the hybrid parts, which are guaranteed up to 8 years, and of course the Federal emission reqirements. Hondas also tend to be sold by an rather elite group of salespeople that are hard to bargain with...it is generally not a customer-oriented company.
You are correct about Honda's ergonomics and interior quality....some of the best in the industry.
The Honda NAV systems, as you found out, are also some of the best.
The most likely reason that the AWD models don't get the cylinder deactivation is the added weight and drag of the AWD hardware....this is already a lot of vehicle, even in the FWD mode, for three cylinders to be lugging around.
In fact, it's really hard to fault Honda products except for the fact that most of their 4-cylinder engines don't have much torque and that Honda has the shortest warranty of any Japanese manufacturer.....3 years/ 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, without a 5/60 drivetrain like other Japanese companies. The only exception is on some of the hybrid parts, which are guaranteed up to 8 years, and of course the Federal emission reqirements. Hondas also tend to be sold by an rather elite group of salespeople that are hard to bargain with...it is generally not a customer-oriented company.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-01-05 at 04:27 AM.
#3
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Hondas also tend to be sold by an rather elite group of salespeople that are hard to bargain with...it is generally not a customer-oriented company.
As far as Honda not being a customer-oriented company, I'm not sure what you mean.
#4
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A picture of the nice Interior:
#6
Speaks French in Russian
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
A picture of the nice Interior:
Oh nice review. Taking cues from the CL Test Driver I see.
Soooo...since this is not an option anymore, what is??
#7
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Originally Posted by magneto112
Hmmm....did they update the interior as well??
Oh nice review. Taking cues from the CL Test Driver I see.
The other difference is I'm actually interested in purchasing what I test drive.
Soooo...since this is not an option anymore, what is??
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
Well the salespeople comment may have been true in the past, but the guy I spoke to at least was definitely hungry for my business and offered $500 over invoice right off the bat.
As far as Honda not being a customer-oriented company, I'm not sure what you mean.
As far as Honda not being a customer-oriented company, I'm not sure what you mean.
Toyota took a different route out. Instead of changing at the Toyota level, they created a whole new line of luxury cars, superb customer-oriented dealerships, and a whole new way of doing buisness....partially inspired by Saturn. Yes.....you guessed it..............LEXUS.
Honda had already started with Acura but it was really only a new line of cars. The Acura dealerships themselves just more-or-less copied the Honda ones.
I hope that clears it up a little for you.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-01-05 at 03:59 PM.
#9
Nice write-up Bit. For the money, you can't beat the Pilot - especially if you need a good third row. They go for $29,500 here in Chicago with the DVD Ent System. Unbelievable.
Unfortunately, as you point out, it is still very short on looks. So much so my wife will not even consider it as a replacement for her RX300. She loves the XC90 however.
Unfortunately, as you point out, it is still very short on looks. So much so my wife will not even consider it as a replacement for her RX300. She loves the XC90 however.
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by doug_999
Nice write-up Bit. For the money, you can't beat the Pilot - especially if you need a good third row. They go for $29,500 here in Chicago with the DVD Ent System. Unbelievable.
Unfortunately, as you point out, it is still very short on looks. So much so my wife will not even consider it as a replacement for her RX300. She loves the XC90 however.
Unfortunately, as you point out, it is still very short on looks. So much so my wife will not even consider it as a replacement for her RX300. She loves the XC90 however.
The only thing, Doug, that the XC90 really has that is worth buying is the roll-stability control that almost no other SUV has. Other SUV's have regular VSC but without the Volvo's roll-sensor in addition to the yaw ones, though Ford, Volvo's owner, plans to adapt it to Ford products. Other than that, XC-90's are unreliable and I wouldn't recommend them....I won't comment on looks because that is a matter of you and your wife's personal taste.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-01-05 at 05:19 PM.
#11
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
What I meant by that term is that Honda dealerships, starting in the early 1980's, for many years lived in a little elite world of high-demand and low-supply for their cars. Hondas and Toyotas in those days were the best and most well-known way to get a quality car....Detroit was literally bulding junk ( and I mean JUNK...trust me ). Mercedes, unlike today, then built what was probably the best car in the world then but was outside the price range of most people. Mazda, Subaru, and Nissan also built quality vehicles but did not have the huge demand that Toyota and Honda did. Add to that the " voluntary " restrictions and quotas from the Reagan Administration on imported Japanese vehicles ( most of which, then, were not built in the U.S. ) and a situation developed where there were waiting lists and markups for Japanese cars of almost every company...but especially Honda. Demand for the Accord, especially, was tremendous. So....the salespeople got used to getting what they wanted from people and not having to treat people with any real courtesy. if Customer A did not like the terms of the deal of the dealer attitude, Customer B right behind him would be knocking the chair over to get the deal himself. Eventually the auto market changed, and some other companies started to build good cars like Honda and Toyota, but the Honda, and to a lesser extent Toyota, salespeople and dealerships continued to live and bask in the glory days that no longer existed. That is one of the prime reasons why, even today, Honda does not offer much in the way of incentives and only gives a 3 / 36 warranty.
Their vehicles, for years, sold themselves without any incentives, but those days, hopefully are finally changing. The $500 offer right off the bat from your salesman is a good sign for the future.
Just as late as last year Odysseys were going for more than list.....as were Civic Hybrids.
Toyota took a different route out. Instead of changing at the Toyota level, they created a whole new line of luxury cars, superb customer-oriented dealerships, and a whole new way of doing buisness....partially inspired by Saturn. Yes.....you guessed it..............LEXUS.
Honda had already started with Acura but it was really only a new line of cars. The Acura dealerships themselves just more-or-less copied the Honda ones.
Honda had already started with Acura but it was really only a new line of cars. The Acura dealerships themselves just more-or-less copied the Honda ones.
I hope that clears it up a little for you.
#13
Originally Posted by mmarshall
Agreed.....the Pilot and Highlander are the best mid-sized car-based SUV's.
The only thing, Doug, that the XC90 really has that is worth buying is the roll-stability control that almost no other SUV has. Other SUV's have regular VSC but without the Volvo's roll-sensor in addition to the yaw ones, though Ford, Volvo's owner, plans to adapt it to Ford products. Other than that, XC-90's are unreliable and I wouldn't recommend them....I won't comment on looks because that is a matter of you and your wife's personal taste.
The only thing, Doug, that the XC90 really has that is worth buying is the roll-stability control that almost no other SUV has. Other SUV's have regular VSC but without the Volvo's roll-sensor in addition to the yaw ones, though Ford, Volvo's owner, plans to adapt it to Ford products. Other than that, XC-90's are unreliable and I wouldn't recommend them....I won't comment on looks because that is a matter of you and your wife's personal taste.
The exterior looks of the Volvo are OK to me - but the interior is where it really shines. Love that dash. Also, interestingly enough, the 2.5T prices out only $3K lower than the V8 when comparably equipped.
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
And Priuses weren't/aren't? Or any number of vehicles in high demand? It's just a normal market at work, nothing Honda-specific.
.
And with that, I'm going to call it a day. Good night, people...I'm dog-tired.
#15
Speaks French in Russian
Originally Posted by doug_999
She loves the XC90 however.
MHmmm...dont get me started on the XC90. Thats one of my favorites. I truely love that truck. Unfortunately the middle grade T6 engine is gone this year, however the V8 is soooo much better. The I-5 isnt too bad. Whats great is that is revs rather quickly and the very low torque this engine provides makes it quite good for everyday driving. I always like the XC90, since the first one we got at oiut dealersihp/