Anyone else tempted to switch to the new Pilot?

IanCH said:

But by the time you are buying a new pilot, in its first model year, you'll be getting later production second model year 2023 mdx.

Forums are an absolutely terrible way of detecting the frequency of problems. If you only read car forums (for any car) you would think that they are all poorly made unreliable pieces of junk.

So far there is only 1 actual systemic issue in the 4g mdx that needs new parts, and that's the sunroof seal.

Tie rod ends fix is actually just tightening them back down correctly, no new parts.

That said, I'm sure there will be other small issues but these acuras are astonishingly reliable compared to their German counterparts.

Literally every 2010-2014 audi s4 ever made has a faulty water pump design that fails 100% of the time and leaves you stranded on the side of the road when it happens.

20,000+ 4g mdxs made so far and all we have is super minor problems....

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mdxstang said:

As you know, it's the nature of car forums to highlight and focus on an issue even if it's only on one out of a thousand units built. Just look at all the 'one and done' posters here who started a thread about some issue and then it's the last you hear from them - i.e. they only post about the issue and not the ongoing reliability or driving experience. Fortunately there are some posters who post a more complete picture.

Given that, my takeaway from these forums is to glean recurring problems and their resolutions. The 4th gen appears to have a few but otoh I realize that the recurring problems may be on only a small subset of actual units and may have already been addressed at the factory so newer units (within a model year - not waiting until a new year) have the fix already. The tie rod nut torque is likely an example of this.

However, I don't have any expectation that the Acura is a better assembled, better engineered, or higher quality vehicle than its Honda cousins. I think the extra cost goes towards different functions, features, sometimes higher end materials, and the extra warranty coverage (which has some cost to Acura to support). People here with experience with both brands can speak to the point but I think the assembly lines and processes are all setup by the same people - Honda corporate engineers and process people. The engines and trannies all come from the same Honda assembly plants I believe.

I think once one has a chance to test drive the 2023 Pilot and the 2023 MDX they'll know soon enough which one they'll want based on how it feels to them, what they think of the feature differences, and taking into account any cost differences. A couple of examples - if they want the go-fast one with massaging seats they may end up limited to the MDX-S but if they want a little more ruggedness for dirt road for camping, etc. they may choose the Pilot (Honda states it'll be more suitable for rough roads than prior Pilots). Even the available color combo differences between the two might be enough to sway a person form one to the other even if it means a price difference (look at how people get rid of perfectly good brand new wheels/tires and spend thousands extra for some different ones).

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mdxstang said:

I made this comment a little earlier but - there's very little info on the Honda website about the 2023 Pilot but I noticed they're hawking the 'trail ruggedness' of the Pilot with available (option I assume) steel skidplates, perhaps tunes in the AWD and axle towards rougher trails, and even an extra inch of ride height. The 'Trailwatch' sounds like it might be interesting depending on what that turns out to be (I assume maybe some video of the trail immediately where the front tires would roll or something like that). These changes alone are quite different than what the MDX currently offers and would make the two vehicles target different niches - unless the MDX gets a mid model change that offers similar functionality.

I'm not saying one is better than the other but I imagine they'll behave, ride, and handle somewhat differently, at least depending on the options one goes for - ex: an MDX Type S versus a somewhat trail capable Pilot - they'd be targeting different niches. Just having differently spec'd shocks, springs, sway bars, tires, tranny tune, engine tune, steering response, and the like, despite being a similar platform, can change the seat of the pants feel of a vehicle even if they're on the same basic platform.

From the Honda website for the 2023 Pilot -


And inside -

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Matztrk said:

I went from 3 pilots to MDX , most definitely will not go back we are talking about 2 completely different vehicles
MDX sporty refined feel
Pilot more of a utility vehicle
MDX fun and very responsive to drive
Pilot may have better off-roading capability in Trail sport but that's what's targeting cheaper off-road utility vehicle
MDX is targeting more road feel European feel fun vehicle to drive with some utility capability
Pilot great on long trips you do get tired in it as seats are not as nice
MDX amazing comfort on long trips

So for me no kids but I do like some utility capabilities MDX perfect fit with amazing luxury finishes

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