Pilot vs Acadia/Enclave

[emmababy]

Ok, I am officially over my Minivan! I am in the market for a Crossover style SUV. Thought for sure I wanted Acadia or an Enclave, leaning more towards the Enclave. We have a Buick Rainier and never had a single issue with it.

But the price for the options is shocking.

So, I started looking at Honda Pilots and was surprised to see that the price on them is lower than the American made. When we bought our Minivan, it was the opposite. The Odyssey was FAR higher than the T&C we ended up with.

So, I am asking my DIS faithful- if you own these- do you like/dislike them and why? Thanks!

 

[crjack]

We have a 2011 Honda Pilot and bought it over the GMC Acadia due to pricing. We previously had an Odyssey so pretty much your same situation.

I loved the layout of the Acadia, especially the access to the third row because it was like our minivan and didn't involve flipping seats forward. (We looked at the 7 passenger) It drove great and I loved the visibility.

Unfortunately there was no or very little negotiating or price discounts and it was significantly higher in price with less features than the Pilot.

Honda happened to be promoting Pilots when we bought ours and in the end it was just over 7K cheaper than the Acadia so I couldn't justify not going with it.

We have had many other Honda's and have had great luck with reliability and overall value so my DH was concerned about the Acadia matching up with that. The Honda dealer also gave me a great trade on my mini-van which helped to seal the deal.

I know the Acadia is popular and around my area the dealers weren't offering very much. The pricing was just too high for me and I have been very pleased with my Pilot. It's loaded and other than being a little boxy in shape it has flexible seating and lots of room. I have older teens now so no car seats to worry about.

Good luck. I think Honda is having some deals on Pilots now so it could be a good time to shop around.

 

[fcole12369]

I had an Acadia and loved it. It was the best riding car I've ever had. It was terrible on gas though.

 

[Kellydelly]

We have a 2011 Honda Pilot and bought it over the GMC Acadia due to pricing. We previously had an Odyssey so pretty much your same situation.

I loved the layout of the Acadia, especially the access to the third row because it was like our minivan and didn't involve flipping seats forward. (We looked at the 7 passenger) It drove great and I loved the visibility.

Unfortunately there was no or very little negotiating or price discounts and it was significantly higher in price with less features than the Pilot.

Honda happened to be promoting Pilots when we bought ours and in the end it was just over 7K cheaper than the Acadia so I couldn't justify not going with it.

We have had many other Honda's and have had great luck with reliability and overall value so my DH was concerned about the Acadia matching up with that. The Honda dealer also gave me a great trade on my mini-van which helped to seal the deal.

I know the Acadia is popular and around my area the dealers weren't offering very much. The pricing was just too high for me and I have been very pleased with my Pilot. It's loaded and other than being a little boxy in shape it has flexible seating and lots of room. I have older teens now so no car seats to worry about.

Good luck. I think Honda is having some deals on Pilots now so it could be a good time to shop around.

I was also over the minivan thing after driving mine for 11 yrs. I was looking at the Durango, Explorer and Pilot (looked at GM products but they were a bit higher in price). I was sucked into the Pilot by the 8 passenger seating, the idea of owning something none of my friends had (live in the Big Three country!), the features and options (rear camera, built in hitch, blue tooth). I liked that the LX had chrome on it and I could add upgrades and make it look like an EX without too much money (roof rack, fog lights, chrome tips for exhaust, etc.). If I bought a base Explorer it would have zero chrome on it and would scream BASE MODEL and that was for a couple grand more.

So I have been driving it since mid-March. Don't love it. The seats are very stiff. So stiff that I may spring for $1000 to upgrade them to leather. I seriously feel like I am sitting on no cushion when I drive that thing, I feel like the driver seat is turned outwards to the left and not forward, which makes me sit funny in it (Dh says right bolster makes it feel that way, he is a seat pallet guy/engineer). I also am freaked about my kids wrecking the seats, my interior is very light grey. I already sprang for $300 seat covers to try to protect them. I can't see myself driving this car for a long time, it just doesn't "fit" me (guess my butt was molded pretty good into the minivan driver seat!). So make sure you get one with comfy seats if you buy one! I paid $26730 for my 2013 LX. I kind of miss my minivan . Oh, my kids also don't like it . They miss the van too. I just didn't want to buy another Caravan and the one I did like (Sienna) they weren't dealing much if at all on price. My husband was trying to get me to buy a used loaded Town and Country or something like that and I was very resistant. Now whenever I see a new scratch or mark on the Pilot he reminds me that I wouldn't fret so much over a used car . So that is my review.

 

[ICF]

We test drove the Pilot and liked it, however went with the Ford Flex.

The Flex had a ton of room (more so then the Pilot - at least when real people are in the 2nd row) and a 3rd row that wasn't built for people the size of a 5 year old.

When the kids are gone and we need a new car, I'd definitely take a look at the Pilot again.

 

[shell8558]

I liked my pilot so much , i traded it for the newer version last year! Im on my second one and i will never drive anything else ! It drives like a dream , has plenty of space for the family and traveling and has great features ! We have taken 7 trips to disney and the leg space in the passenger seat is great , more than in other SUV I have been in. I absolutely love the automatic hatch and the Bluetooth in my new pilot!! I have not had any problems with either vehicle, only oil changes and routine maintenance.

 

[momof3ds]

We went with a hyundai veracruz (now it's the santa fe). Got a decent deal since they were phasing out the veracruz model.

Have had it for 6 months now and no complaints so far. One issue with the windshield wipers but it was covered by the warranty.

 

[emmababy]

Thanks everyone! So, I just got back from test driving a Pilot and an Enclave. From the outside- I love the Enclave. Was SOOO sure that would be my next vehicle.

BUT, from the inside- the Pilot wins. The console is soo much bigger in the Pilot, more storage all over the place. I didn't think I would like the bench seating in the second row-but it would be nice to haul one more person when needed and for the 2 in the second row to have a spot to put books and such...

What a dilemma----body style vs function.
Plus the price is weighing heavy. Where I was the 2011 Buick Enclave CX (base model, cloth) was 26,500 and the Pilot EXL (leather, camera, Bluetooth, etc) was 27,500. I think the miles were the same. So- a decked out Pilot was about the same as a base Enclave....

 

[wiigirl]

We test drove the Pilot and liked it, however went with the Ford Flex.

The Flex had a ton of room (more so then the Pilot - at least when real people are in the 2nd row) and a 3rd row that wasn't built for people the size of a 5 year old.

When the kids are gone and we need a new car, I'd definitely take a look at the Pilot again.

 

[melwill530]

Ok, I am officially over my Minivan! I am in the market for a Crossover style SUV. Thought for sure I wanted Acadia or an Enclave, leaning more towards the Enclave. We have a Buick Rainier and never had a single issue with it.

But the price for the options is shocking.

So, I started looking at Honda Pilots and was surprised to see that the price on them is lower than the American made. When we bought our Minivan, it was the opposite. The Odyssey was FAR higher than the T&C we ended up with. So, I am asking my DIS faithful- if you own these- do you like/dislike them and why? Thanks!

In case it matters, The Pilot is American Made. They are made in Alabama. I've had mine since 2006 and I love it. I have well over 100,000 miles on it and I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off.

 

[garnetandblack]

My sister has an Acadia - transmission was replaced under warranty and the car has left her stranded 3 times. She also had to replace the transmission AGAIN after the warranty expired.

DH's cousin bought an Acadia and they got rid of it because of transmission problems.

I know several people that love their Pilots - I've never heard a complaint.

 

[Li Li]

Another vote for Pilot here. We really like ours. We have navigation and leather seats. Bought it over Acadia and Enclave for price and drive reasons.

 

[Ladcassidy]

Our Acadia is comfortable and has all the bells and whistles. But the gas mileage is horrible, and we've had to replace the water pump (under warranty, but apparently a standard problem).

 

[dhop]

We had an Acadia for just about 3 years but decided to get rid of it because it seemed like the transmission was acting funny and the warranty was about to expire. Ended up going back to a mini-van. They just seem roomier.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I went thru the same process 2 years ago. I thought I wanted an Enclave. Didn't love the way the Pilot lookes, then I drove it and really liked it! The price sold me. I got a 2010 Pilot with a lot of bells and whistles. I REALLY LOVE IT! I really like the cargo room and storage inside. I would totally buy another one.

 

[momof1princess]

In case it matters, The Pilot is American Made. They are made in Alabama. I've had mine since 2006 and I love it. I have well over 100,000 miles on it and I plan on driving it until the wheels fall off.

Yep, my DH makes Pilots at the Honda plant in Lincoln, AL. Can't wait to get one!

 

[emmababy]

I went thru the same process 2 years ago. I thought I wanted an Enclave. Didn't love the way the Pilot lookes, then I drove it and really liked it! The price sold me. I got a 2010 Pilot with a lot of bells and whistles. I REALLY LOVE IT! I really like the cargo room and storage inside. I would totally buy another one.

Thanks for that! How has it handled since? We were looking at 2011 EXL with 27k miles for about 26k price but then they offered a 2013 for only 33k....trying to figure out if 6k is worth buying new...

 

[shell8558]

My mom has a 2011 and I have the 2012 - so I can tell you the differences between the two - the newer model has the automatic hatch , Bluetooth , recordable CD player , and the rear camera is much larger, and I believe the tires and rims are a little nicer . if these things appeal to you then buy the newer one , if not then the 2010 should be just as good.

 

[runsandjumps]

I would go with the Pilot simply because I think Hondas are way better and have awesome resale value.

Ana

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

My sister has an Acadia - transmission was replaced under warranty and the car has left her stranded 3 times. She also had to replace the transmission AGAIN after the warranty expired.

DH's cousin bought an Acadia and they got rid of it because of transmission problems.

I know several people that love their Pilots - I've never heard a complaint.

We had the traverse ( the sister car to the enclave) and while it looked nice and drove nice it was always in the shop! Ended up trading it after a year and half for a Honda odyssey because it had been in the shop 14 times! For big repairs. I say go with the Honda