[stieny]

When you are saying X do you mean MDX I assume?

In 2004 when we had a baby I looked at both Pilot and MDX and decided to go Pilot just because I liked the more utilitarian feel of the interior and dashboard. Felt like wouldn't care as much about having a bunch of little kids and all their mess in the car for the coming years. Now that the kids are older I could handle either one.

This would be my biggest take away from this entire thread - wants vs real world needs and being realistic about both.

My wife and I have been in the market for a new car to replace my ‘10 TL for a few months now. She has a ‘17 MDX and we have had great luck with the brand - we are on our 3rd Acura and I had a civic SI back in my college days so needless to say, we are Honda fans.

We have 2 young kids now and sedans are not practical for us anymore. Up until last week, we were dead set on a new MDX for me - specifically the Type S advanced. I really wanted the family hauler while also getting some of that sporty driving characteristics - just sucked it happened to be the most expensive Acura behind the NSX. But there was always that part of me that wanted the room you get in a larger SUV. My in-laws have a’19 Expedition and it was always so nice to be in that on vacation while hauling around kids. It was just a bit too big to have as a full-time daily driver. We love my wife’s ‘17 MDX but always thought it would be nice to have a bit more space for trips and just around town stuff, we just never liked the other options that much.

The older Pilot just never apealed to us that much because it just seemed too soft / minivan like. Then we saw the new Pilot. This new Pilot is much more up my alley and one that reminds me more of the larger, body on frame SUV’s. It fits our needs to a T and what I am going to give up going from a Type S advanced (and on paper, I’m giving up a bunch) is more then made up with the functionality of the Pilot. No, the Pilot will not be as tech heavy, luxurious or as engaging to drive. But always wanting more room then our ‘17 MDX (and the 4th gen isn’t much bigger) the Pilot just makes sense for us. Not to mention, it has a ton of what I liked in the MDX - the panoramic roof, heated / cooled seats, head up display. I would never try and make a direct comparison between the two as I’m very aware of their place in the market.

So back to your original point of this thread, yes I will be going Pilot even though I don’t yet own a 4th gen MDX. The 3rd gen will stay as my wife’s daily and a backup for kid duty. But it is only perfect for us because of our needs. I’d rather give up what I’m giving up and get the functionality of the Pilot with a bit of luxury (we are getting the Elite) while also saving 20k over the Type S advanced.

 

[Hogan773]

This would be my biggest take away from this entire thread - wants vs real world needs and being realistic about both.
....
So back to your original point of this thread, yes I will be going Pilot even though I don’t yet own a 4th gen MDX. The 3rd gen will stay as my wife’s daily and a backup for kid duty. But it is only perfect for us because of our needs. I’d rather give up what I’m giving up and get the functionality of the Pilot with a bit of luxury (we are getting the Elite) while also saving 20k over the Type S advanced.

Interesting....curious that you have already decided Elite trim.....is that just because you are "trading down" mentally from the more expensive Type S that you were considering and so you want to get the highest trim line available on the Pilot to get as close as possible to MDX luxury feel?

 

[stieny]

Interesting....curious that you have already decided Elite trim.....is that just because you are "trading down" mentally from the more expensive Type S that you were considering and so you want to get the highest trim line available on the Pilot to get as close as possible to MDX luxury feel?

Well said - and that is all part of it but I don’t think I ever cared about trying to feel like we were getting into an MDX or something that I could try to pass off as “high end”. I could care less what logo is on the front of the car - Ford, Acura, Lexus - could care less. I’m not trying to impress anyone, just trying to get into a car that I’ll enjoy driving, will be reliable and that will work well with our lifestyle. I think our minds just went to luxury SUV’s initially because they had a ton of features we enjoy while also being comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

So when we started looking, I was also torn with just going to a larger body on frame SUV because I loved the rugged SUV driving style and functionality almost as much I loved the sporty, driver focused nature of the luxury “performance cross-over” SUV’s. When the new Pilot came out, it kind of checked both boxes - larger SUV functionality and driving characteristics while adding a little splash of the luxury creature comforts all while looking great. And since we were looking at a 73k MDX, I could still swing the niceties of the Pilot while also saving 20kish. Of course it will not drive, handle or have the level of luxury that the MDX does but at the end of the day, I didn’t care. I asked myself, do I really care about a 3 row SUV’s 0-60 times or how hard I can push it into an apex? Or would I rather have a ton of nice features in a SUV that I will actually use more. The Pilot was the clear choice for us.

Now, you could make more of a case on the financial side of it if you compare a lower trim MDX to the Pilot Elite but for me, that really came down to a bit more luxury and a sportier ride but smaller or something a bit less fancy but bigger and more useful for me in day to day family life. Pilot, again, won in that scenario for us. If I wasn’t going to go for full performance, I was going to sacrifice luxury and a bit of build quality for space and size.

To address the specifics for the reason on the Elite, we really wanted the few options that were only offered on the Elite - full digital dash, ventilated front seats and heated 2nd row seats.

 

[Hogan773]

........
To address the specifics for the reason on the Elite, we really wanted the few options that were only offered on the Elite - full digital dash, ventilated front seats and heated 2nd row seats.

Makes sense! I keep laughing because when I read your posts I think you are some time traveler who has come back from 2023 since you keep referring to things in the past tense, as if you already bought a 2023 Pilot Elite If you are a time traveler, please tell us if there are any major issues you've had in your first year of ownership on this new Pilot

 

[stieny]

Makes sense! I keep laughing because when I read your posts I think you are some time traveler who has come back from 2023 since you keep referring to things in the past tense, as if you already bought a 2023 Pilot Elite If you are a time traveler, please tell us if there are any major issues you've had in your first year of ownership on this new Pilot

Haha, I guess in re-reading those, it could seem like it. Poor word choice I guess, I just have been looking at these so much lately, it feels like I own one already. Unfortunately, I have yet to get one. I did talk with my local dealer and they already have one on order for dealer stock. It’s due in sometime in January but it’s black on black. They were placing more orders this week for dealer stock so I am currently in the process of putting my order in.

Fingers crossed that I don’t deal with the first year gremlins.

 

[Hogan773]

Haha, I guess in re-reading those, it could seem like it. Poor word choice I guess, I just have been looking at these so much lately, it feels like I own one already. Unfortunately, I have yet to get one. I did talk with my local dealer and they already have one on order for dealer stock. It’s due in sometime in January but it’s black on black. They were placing more orders this week for dealer stock so I am currently in the process of putting my order in.

Fingers crossed that I don’t deal with the first year gremlins.

Cool! No prices yet I assume

I was hoping to see and touch one by December to make a decision Pilot vs MDX....maybe more waiting ugh....

 

[stieny]

Cool! No prices yet I assume

I was hoping to see and touch one by December to make a decision Pilot vs MDX....maybe more waiting ugh....

Nope, nothing concrete yet - just the speculation based off of the outgoing model.

I would usually wait until I had a chance to go through it in person but I’d like to get into something new sooner rather then later because we are using the wife’s MDX for all travel now and the miles are racking up. And since we only rock one car payment, the sooner we pay off the Pilot, the quicker she can look for her next car.

Plus, I’m not contracted to anything. Once it comes in, I’ll go through it and if we decide it’s a no go, it’ll just go into regular stock. But I’m almost positive it will be coming home with us.

 

[eurojap]

I've got no skin in this game but, out of interest, I did some research on the new Pilot. Very nice vehicle and from the limited info, I can certainly understand the appeal and interest. That said, from an aesthetic standpoint, the Pilot and MDX could have easily been designed and built by completely different manufacturers. The styling is so completely different, I think the decision almost has to start there unless it's unimportant or, much less important than say practical features. The Pilot is a very nice looking conventional SUV. It has the typical squared off look and height of most other typical SUVs. That's not a shot. Not at all. I'm just saying the MDX styling is a departure from typical SUVs and the reason that myself, and I suspect others, were drawn to it in the first place.

At risk of being flamed in this forum, I really don't care for the looks of gen 2 or 3. The gen 3 is an improvement but, gen 2 looks more like what I refer to as an egg-u-v. In addition, the interior space is more restrictive, at least in the case of gen 2. When I drove gen 2s as loaners, while, of course, very nice, I remember thinking I would not buy this vehicle. The driver space is very narrow across your knees. Keep in mind, I was used to gen 1 that has buckets of driver leg space. Again, this is a personal preference, quirk, whatever you want to call it but, to each their own.

When seeing the styling of the gen 4 MDX when first announced, I was truly excited at the prospect but, still skeptical. When I went to the dealer and saw one in person, sat in it, etc., I was sold. Done. Over. The exterior styling fits my taste and the driver space has been opened up. Love at first sight and sit.

If you love the styling of the new Pilot or, are just more interested in the practical aspects and like the styling well enough, hey, it's a Honda SUV. It's likely incredibly solid, reliable, and fun to drive. Also, nothing wrong with spending that $20K in savings on something else you enjoy. A couple vacations, maybe. Whatever.

 

[mdxstang]

. The styling is so completely different, I think the decision almost has to start there unless it's unimportant or, much less important than say practical features. The Pilot is a very nice looking conventional SUV.

How one interprets 'style' is very subjective and what looks great to one person can look not so great or downright terrible to someone else. I had a colleague who actually spent his own money to purchase a Pontiac Aztek, one of the ugliest vehicles in history IMO, but he liked it and thought it looked great.

When I bought my 2014 MDX the Pilot at that time was a non-starter for me due to its styling both outside and inside but especially outside because at that time it was basically a box with wheels - no attempt at styling whatsoever but I'm sure plenty practical. Since then the styling of the Pilots has improved and from the website view the 2023 Pilot styling looks like an improvement and seems decent.

Some people actually like the styling of Lexus with their overly large hideous front fascias but as you can tell, I don't. Ditto with some of the trend of Audi with the large mouth fascias.

I like the styling of the 3rd gen MDX more than most SUVs, even with mine with the beak so many dislike. I also like the styling of the 4th gen MDX although I think they went a little overboard with the fascia side cutout holes that could stand some improvement but is overall much more nicely done than Lexus, Audi, and some others. As it stands now I think the 4th gen MDX is one of the sharpest looking mid size 3 row SUVs currently being sold.

 

[Hogan773]

How one interprets 'style' is very subjective and what looks great to one person can look not so great or downright terrible to someone else. I had a colleague who actually spent his own money to purchase a Pontiac Aztek, one of the ugliest vehicles in history IMO, but he liked it and thought it looked great.

When I bought my 2014 MDX the Pilot at that time was a non-starter for me due to its styling both outside and inside but especially outside because at that time it was basically a box with wheels - no attempt at styling whatsoever but I'm sure plenty practical. Since then the styling of the Pilots has improved and from the website view the 2023 Pilot styling looks like an improvement and seems decent.

Some people actually like the styling of Lexus with their overly large hideous front fascias but as you can tell, I don't. Ditto with some of the trend of Audi with the large mouth fascias.

I like the styling of the 3rd gen MDX more than most SUVs, even with mine with the beak so many dislike. I also like the styling of the 4th gen MDX although I think they went a little overboard with the fascia side cutout holes that could stand some improvement but is overall much more nicely done than Lexus, Audi, and some others. As it stands now I think the 4th gen MDX is one of the sharpest looking mid size 3 row SUVs currently being sold.

Oh GAWD the Aztek. Totally Fugly car for sure! It reminds me of the car that Homer Simpson designed.

Agree MDX very sharp dressed SUV. Also agree that the catfish-mouth look on so many cars is somewhat overdone these days.

 

[eurojap]

How one interprets 'style' is very subjective and what looks great to one person can look not so great or downright terrible to someone else. I had a colleague who actually spent his own money to purchase a Pontiac Aztek, one of the ugliest vehicles in history IMO, but he liked it and thought it looked great.

When I bought my 2014 MDX the Pilot at that time was a non-starter for me due to its styling both outside and inside but especially outside because at that time it was basically a box with wheels - no attempt at styling whatsoever but I'm sure plenty practical. Since then the styling of the Pilots has improved and from the website view the 2023 Pilot styling looks like an improvement and seems decent.

Some people actually like the styling of Lexus with their overly large hideous front fascias but as you can tell, I don't. Ditto with some of the trend of Audi with the large mouth fascias.

I like the styling of the 3rd gen MDX more than most SUVs, even with mine with the beak so many dislike. I also like the styling of the 4th gen MDX although I think they went a little overboard with the fascia side cutout holes that could stand some improvement but is overall much more nicely done than Lexus, Audi, and some others. As it stands now I think the 4th gen MDX is one of the sharpest looking mid size 3 row SUVs currently being sold.

I totally agree that style, like taste in food, is purely individual. I wasn't trying to say the MDX style is superior to the Pilot. I mean, it is for me but, I totally get that someone else could have the opposite opinion and I fully respect that. Just wanted to clarify my overall point. If you like the Pilot styling and the overall vehicle, then by all means, don't hesitate! I'm sure it's a great vehicle!!

 

[wrxdev]

I am another one who is waiting to test drive the Pilot and also the new Mazda CX90 and then make the final decision. I understand the Pilot and the Mazda CX90 are a class below the Acura MDX, but that does not mean I won't cross shop them. Am intrigued by the new CX90's switch to a RWD architecture (with AWD of course) and an in-line 6 cylinder.

 

[Icculus]

What evidence do you have of the new Pilot being quicker than the MDX………

I said the current/outgoing pilot, and this is based on C/D test results. The 2022 MDX is slower than both the current/outgoing Pilot and the 3rd gen MDX, since it has the same powertrain but is heavier.

 

[crankasaur]

What I consider above ALL ELSE in any car purchase is safety. Passive government instrumented crash tests might show a Pilot and MDX are equal in “safety” (I don’t know for sure what their test results show but my assumption is that they are equal)… but that’s PASSIVE safety - what happens once you’re in a crash. What matters even more is a car’s ability to AVOID an accident. In that regard, an MDX will “drive circles” around a Pilot with tangible, measurably better metrics in crucial areas such as shorter braking distances, higher levels of grip and more more controllable, more stable levels of handling. That makes an MDX safer than a Pilot from an “active safety” perspective. That’s also why most of my car purchases almost always include whatever optional sports/handling packages are available on the given cars I choose.

 

[shin702]

Nah. Practicality was important but not at the top of the list when choosing the MDX. I think if I were considering vehicles like the new Pilot, I would have thrown the Palisade/Telluride, or maybe a Traverse / Acadia in the mix.

 

[Someonemdx]

Pricing was just released on the new Pilots. With this pricing, i think spending a few extra bucks for the MDX is well within most shoppers reach.

From Alex on Autos:

Sport: $40,445
EX-L: $43,245
Touring: $47,745
TrailSport (AWD only): $49,645
Elite (AWD only): $53,325

That puts the base model $3,685 more than an Explorer, +$4,000 vs Highlander, +$4,755 ovs Telluride, +$5,195 vs Palisade, +$5,445 vs Pathfinder, +$5,925 vs Traverse.

 

[Hogan773]

Pricing was just released on the new Pilots. With this pricing, i think spending a few extra bucks for the MDX is well within most shoppers reach.

From Alex on Autos:

Starting to discuss this over on the Piloteers sister site. Really need to lay out the feature sets at each trim to see what aligns with what. "A few extra bucks" may mean $9000 though if one assumes that a Pilot Touring is somewhat similar to an MDX Tech. Both would have the removable center seat, panoramic moonroof, leather, etc. The interesting thing will be how the EXL compares to MDX featurewise

 

[wrxdev]

Starting to discuss this over on the Piloteers sister site. Really need to lay out the feature sets at each trim to see what aligns with what. "A few extra bucks" may mean $9000 though if one assumes that a Pilot Touring is somewhat similar to an MDX Tech. Both would have the removable center seat, panoramic moonroof, leather, etc. The interesting thing will be how the EXL compares to MDX featurewise

I would subjectively compare the EXL to the base MDX and there is a difference of about $7k to $8k. As Hogan indicated, a good approach is to compare spec by spec and also test drive and figure out which one meets an individual's needs. The EXL and Touring, at least on paper have the potential for being good value.
However, if you can stretch for the Elite Pilot, just pony up and get the TECH MDX. The difference is a lot less and I feel the MDX TECH is no-brainer.

P.S. I consider only the AWD versions. I will also judge people who buy FWD MDXs. Even if you live in FL, GA, or AZ, get the SH-AWD. It is totally worth it.

 

[Hogan773]

I would subjectively compare the EXL to the base MDX and there is a difference of about $7k to $8k. As Hogan indicated, a good approach is to compare spec by spec and also test drive and figure out which one meets an individual's needs. The EXL and Touring, at least on paper have the potential for being good value.
However, if you can stretch for the Elite Pilot, just pony up and get the TECH MDX. The difference is a lot less and I feel the MDX TECH is no-brainer.

P.S. I consider only the AWD versions. I will also judge people who buy FWD MDXs. Even if you live in FL, GA, or AZ, get the SH-AWD. It is totally worth it.

Yes, although one wrinkle is that I have been told that getting a "Base" MDX is somewhat impossible, and so the Tech is sort of the "base" in MDX line in terms of what you can actually purchase. I haven't really tried to push that to see if totally true or not. The Base MDX has vinyl rather than leather though, so in that metric is "below" even the EX-L Pilot. EX-L Pilot may not have Panoramic moonroof while MDX does, and maybe MDX has some standard items you don't get on EX-L. So my assumption about not being able to get a Base MDX means we are at minimum $58,145 (including Destination) just to get ANY MDX, while we are at $43K for an EXL Pilot or $47K for a Touring, and you will certainly be able to buy Pilots in the EXL model easily (maybe the "Sport" Pilot will be the unicorn they aren't making many of, like the Base MDX). So difference could be $11K between Touring and Tech, or $15K between EXL and Tech, which is still "real money"

EDIT - the post above for Pilot pricing INCLUDES the destination, so I have fixed the quote on the MDX accordingly above, which adds another $1K to the differences (also adjusted in the above)

 

[wrxdev]

Yes, although one wrinkle is that I have been told that getting a "Base" MDX is somewhat impossible, and so the Tech is sort of the "base" in MDX line in terms of what you can actually purchase. I haven't really tried to push that to see if totally true or not. The Base MDX has vinyl rather than leather though, so in that metric is "below" even the EX-L Pilot. EX-L Pilot may not have Panoramic moonroof while MDX does, and maybe MDX has some standard items you don't get on EX-L. So my assumption about not being able to get a Base MDX means we are at minimum $56,950 plus Destination just to get ANY MDX, while we are at $43K for an EXL Pilot or $47K for a Touring, and you will certainly be able to buy Pilots in the EXL model easily (maybe the "Sport" Pilot will be the unicorn they aren't making many of, like the Base MDX). So difference could be $10K between Touring and Tech, or $14K between EXL and Tech, which is still "real money"

I heard that from a couple of Acura dealers as well. The base MDX is very hard to find. Even a quick search of the inventory shows the majority are Advance, A-Spec, and Tech. Makes sense as these higher end versions have higher profit margins.
You're right on the vinyl seats aka "Leatherette". They're aren't as plush as the leather in the Tech model and above.