We are looking at both of these as a upgrade from are 2013 edge. Lot of knowledge here so I thought I would ask for any reports on these you might have. Looking at awd and the exl package. Daily driver as I have a truck for the heavy stuf. Thanks all.

The Pilot can hold a crapload of stuff despite being smaller. The AWD should serve you well in Michigan and the weight difference would also be a huge plus.

Guess I'd vote for the Pilot.

Do you need three rows or the extra space beside the 2nd row in the pilot? My understanding is that the passport is just a slightly smaller, 2-row version of the pilot.

Also, with the passport being a brand new model, I doubt that they are dealing much on them.

The Passport is new for 2019.

Never buy a vehicle in it's first model year. The Passport would be disqualified in my household.

The Pilot is a 3 row midsize, the Passport is only a 2 row. The Pilot will be bigger.

The Passport and Pilot have the same towing capacity, likely meaning that the same style of hybrid unibody and similar drivetrains will be available for both vehicles. Accordingly, the Passport will likely feel a little (probably negligibly) more sporty because of its smaller size and lighter weight.

The Pilot might ride smoother because of its longer wheelbase. The Passport may have a tiny bit better departure/approach/and break over angles. It might have a slightly more "outdoorsy" wheel and suspension package--but don't really confuse it for anything that can handle much more than a dirt road.

My experience is wih a 2010 Pilot with 160K on the odo. It has been rock solid. I get 21.0 to 21.5 mpg at 80 mph. I do get the maint done religiously; cam belt, etc. It survives MT winters without a whimper. Starts at well below zero reliably.

I run Blizzaks and it's unstoppable in snow.

I vote Pilot.

quote:

The Passport is new for 2019.

Never buy a vehicle in it's first model year. The Passport would be disqualified in my household.

However, last year's model maybe available at a significant discount.

Get the pilot if you want 3 rows of seats or the passport if you want 2, I wouldn't worry too much about "new model first year" as the passport basically a Pilot underneath, with one less row of seats and a more aggressive design language.

if you do decide on the pilot, I'd compare to the Subaru Ascent

My experience has been with Pilots, so I have to go with that.

I've had a 2004, 2006, 2012 and now a 2016 Pilot. I guess you could say I love them; and have driven Pilots exclusively for the last 9+ years. I only upgrade because I tend to get bored and want the newer technology and body styles.

My ex still has the 2004 and it has around 240,000 miles on it. I just recently (3 weeks ago) upgraded to the 2016 EX AWD and think it's the best one I've had yet. I got it as a CPO Honda with 51,000 miles on it and have a 100,000 power train warranty and a 12 month/12,000 miles bumper warranty. Even so, that didn't stop the dealer from trying to sell me an extended warranty With all 4 Pilots I've had, I've only had to replace the wear out items: brakes, shocks, tires, oil changes, tune-ups & timing belt.

Traded my wife’s 2013 Pilot for a ‘19 Pilot two months ago. Quite a lot of technical improvements in the interior electronics and a better ride. Didn’t get AWD. Went with Touring edition with 7-seat configuration - buckets for the front 4 and folding rear bench. Really like it.

Michael

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
Get the pilot if you want 3 rows of seats or the passport if you want 2, I wouldn't worry too much about "new model first year" as the passport basically a Pilot underneath, with one less row of seats and a more aggressive design language.

if you do decide on the pilot, I'd compare to the Subaru Ascent

Re: first year models, you should also consider parts availability, depreciation, and unwillingness to deal.

If the car ends up with a warranty issue, you may have to wait weeks or months for a replacement part.

A dealer may not deal on a new model on the first year due to limited supply.

And when you turn around to go sell it, you may yourself be trying to sell it to people who tend to avoid first model years--you also take the gamble that the vehicle becomes a poor seller, never gains popularity, and it's resale value drops off.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
Get the pilot if you want 3 rows of seats or the passport if you want 2, I wouldn't worry too much about "new model first year" as the passport basically a Pilot underneath, with one less row of seats and a more aggressive design language.

if you do decide on the pilot, I'd compare to the Subaru Ascent

Re: first year models, you should also consider parts availability, depreciation, and unwillingness to deal.

If the car ends up with a warranty issue, you may have to wait weeks or months for a replacement part.

A dealer may not deal on a new model on the first year due to limited supply.

And when you turn around to go sell it, you may yourself be trying to sell it to people who tend to avoid first model years--you also take the gamble that the vehicle becomes a poor seller, never gains popularity, and it's resale value drops off.

again, it's a pilot in a different suit. resale might be affected but I expect it to maintain some parity with the pilot if only because of the value of the pilot parts it's built from.

It depends on your needs. I have a 2017 EX-L AWD RES. I keep the 3rd row down most of the time and it gives you a ton of cargo space. When we have family visit, we can use the 3rd row and I got a hitch mounted carrier for luggage.

Check the 2019 4-Runner before you buy.
It doesn't have lane-departure and braking software, and it still has a keyed ignition.
That's my preference.
These are excellent SUVs, still body-on-frame construction and still being imported from Japan. High quality vehicle.

ETA: And it still looks like an SUV!





Redesign coming in 2020 and it will have all that stuff, so if you like the lane-departure and braking software you would have to wait.


...

The passport is smaller than the pilot and yet still costs the same money.

The only real reason to get the passport is because it's the 'cooler' model and doesn't have the mommy mobile stigma the pilot has.

T4R would get my vote.

I haven't driven one, but have read that the 9AT Honda/Acura V6 isn't all that great. Most complaints I've read are related to the TLX, not sure if the Pilot shares its J35 & trans with the Acura.

I have owned 3 Pilots and enjoyed them all but I should mention that I traded them in right before owning each for about 3 yrs.

The Pilot is the only vehicle in its class that can hold 8. Yes the back is only suitable for kids / short rides for adults but it's actually doable.

Get a CR-V

My wife and I drove the CR-V prior to my buying an Accord. We were both unimpressed, it felt clunky compared with a Mazda CX-5. The Pilot and Passport are heftier vehicles with V-6 engines, same as on the Ridegline and in the Odyssey. Bombproof, good pickup, gas mileage not as good as a 4-cylinder but I would definitely go for either Pilot or Passport over the CR-V.
Give them a try.
I agree the Passport is mechanically the same as the Pilot, just sold as “sportier”.

I have a 2017 Ex-L AWD purchased new. Currently have 22,340 miles on it. Average calculated mpg is 22.69. Note the car computer mpg reads approximately 8% optimistic.

0 problem with the Pilot. The EX-L has the 6 speed transmission which ha a better reputation than the 9 speed in higher model Pilots. The 9 speed is also in the Passport.

The Passport is basically a shortened Pilot. Same wheelbase as the Pilot. From pictures the interior under rear floor storage is better (no third row seat).

I have read too many articles on the problems with the ZF 9 speed transmission that I would not buy a car with it.

Www.piloteers.org is a good Pilot forum. They also have discussions on the Passport.