2005 Honda Pilot EXL 3.5 from North America

Summary:

Best vehicle I have ever owned

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong. Had a front leather seat crack (2") at 30k miles. The dealership replaced the leather with new at no charge to me.

General Comments:

I purchased this SUV new in May 2005. It is the only vehicle I drive. I am a salesman, I drive 90% city miles and I stop, park, start, and drive 10 times a day, 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week (18 MPG). On weekends, I tow a boat (4,500 lbs) or a small trailer that I use for home projects and some house remodeling I do on the side. I have taken long trips with four adults comfortably with luggage (24 MPG) loaded. I put plastic down in the back and I have used it to haul building materials, landscaping, mulch and you name it. I always vacuum it out, and run it through one or two car washes a week, change the oil and transmission fluid and all maintenance by the book. I am on my third set of brakes (counting OE) and the third set of tires (counting OE), new shocks and struts, and timing belt maintenance at 105k miles by the book. That is it. No repairs ever. Only maintenance. It still looks great.

The 2 negatives I have experienced:

1. Every three years (45k miles) I have had to replace the battery (I buy the best battery I can find too. Not cheap).

2. Road noise. On the highway it is loud. Wind and some tire noise basically. There is very little sound proofing, and that is a shame, because besides that, this has been a perfect vehicle for me.

I am starting to think about buying another new vehicle, only because it will be ten years old soon and I have the itch to drive something else. I believe this one will go for at least another 100k miles, no doubt about it. I'm just looking for a change, and the new 2016 Honda Pilot is coming out this summer. I only hope it is quieter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st January, 2015

2005 Honda Pilot EX from North America

Summary:

Do not drink the Pilot Kool-Aid

Faults:

Radiator coil failed, leaking fluid into the transmission at 70k miles. Transmission ruined due radiator issue. Over $6,000 spent in towing and replacing the transmission and radiator.

Air bag sensor failed twice.

Paint peeling.

Battery impossible to change in key fob. New key from dealer about $100.

General Comments:

Cheaply made.

Road noise is seriously bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th November, 2010

10th Nov 2010, 19:05

Well okay, you've had one major problem with this truck but why the low performance and comfort marks? I think you are just miffed at the problems you are having. Why would you have bought this vehicle if you only rated it a 3 out of 10 for comfort?

Overall, has it really been that bad? Yes, the radiator design is a flaw if it affects the transmission. Do you have a tranny cooler on this truck? The whole vehicle can't be that bad from one problem.

2005 Honda Pilot LX 3.5 V6 from North America

Summary:

A very good SUV

Faults:

Rear driver's side electric window died.

General Comments:

Pluses:

Easy to drive and park.

Seats are OK, but not overly comfortable.

Space for 8 is a major plus, and a big reason I bought the car.

The car feels solid and safe. Has loads of room.

Gearbox and engine work well. The car has good acceleration, and can cruise at 80mph for hours.

Honda reliability.

Negatives:

Road noise higher than any other car I have had.

16 MPG about town fuel consumption.

The passenger cabin feels cheap compared to the Volvo XC90 we had before.

Conclusion:

A very good SUV. A great used purchase for the money. If you want / need 8 seats, then this combined with the Honda reliability makes it a good candidate.

I am very happy with my purchase. It's not perfect, but it's good enough for me. If anything happens to it, I will buy another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th October, 2010

1st Jan 2013, 16:57

Update by owner, Jan 1, 2013. We still have the car and have recently crossed the 100k miles mark. Still runs fine. Problems have been door window motor, oxygen sensor and TPMS sensor. I consider those to be minor for the mileage.

Overall, I remain happy with the car and continue to recommend it.

16th Feb 2014, 20:57

4 years of ownership, 120k miles now on the clock and still going strong. No major problems and the car remains reliable. The car has a few squeaks here and there.

15th Mar 2017, 16:52

Can we get an update?

Thanks.