2009 Honda Pilot Consumer Reviews

2009 Honda Pilot

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2009 Honda Pilot

Kelley Blue Book Retail $20,700–$27,700  

Best Bet

Average Rating

4.3 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.4 out of 5
Performance:4.1 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.0 out of 5
Interior Design:4.3 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.2 out of 5
Reliability:4.6 out of 5

33 out of 41 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

Page 1 of 5 Next Page

Nice ride love the room

by Piloteer
from FLORENCE, Ky | September 23, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I really like my pilot so far. I have only had it about 2 and a half months. I did not need a 4 wheel drive so I got a front wheel to save a little on gas. At first I thought it was too much of a truck feel but now I don't. I like all the interior space and creature comforts. It rides nice and smooth. I also like its versatility to haul stuff too. Great SUV."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My first and last Honda

by Disappointed
from Orange County, CA | September 6, 2012

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 2 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 2 out of 5
Value for the Money: 2 out of 5
Reliability: 2 out of 5

"Bought a Honda based on reputation for reliability. Owned for 4 years now and must say that reputation is not well-deserved. Really struggled between this and an Acura MDX, really regret settling for the Pilot. Less expensive for sure, but LOTS of cheap plastic everywhere and low and behold does not stand up to the test of time and there are rattles EVERYWHERE. Taken to dealer so many times to fix, they seem to make them worse. Also, the whole car vibrates when braking from highway speed (lots of people complaining about this online) and dealer apparently can't find the issue. Recommeded an expensive brake job that didn't fix the problem. Cheap trim pieces too, have had to replace several brackets and molding that broke off or fell off. Not rugged enough to stand up to kids, which is what an 8-passenger SUV is really made for. Gas mileage is terrible. Not an aggressive driver here and use the cruise control alot to try to save gas, still average about 16mpg (4WD version). On long highway trips only slightly better at 20mpg. Power is decent, 4WD is really a joke off-road. My old Mazda Tribute handled bad weather and snow way better. Not sporty to drive at all, unlike the MDX. The suspension is very "floaty" yet speed bumps and small road imperfections are jarring. Seats are not supportive and make long drives tiring. Bluetooth is buggy, only works about half the time, and often won't let me transfer a call from cell phone (tried on several different phones, same issue). Paint job is faded despite regular car washes and interior stains very easily, leather seats already showing lots of wear with only 50,000 miles. Also underpowered battery for all the electronic gadgetry, I've lost track of how many times AAA has had to jump start after leaving a light on or the DVD player going for the kids for 10-15 min tops. Battery test fine each time, just depletes very quickly. No major mechanical issues yet, luckily. since manufacturer warranty is so short. But overall pretty average and overpriced for what you get."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Love the size - great deal for the money

by Poor after having bought two cars in 1 month
from Morristown, NJ | June 18, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"My wife wanted to replace our Honda CRV with a larger SUV. We looked at a variety of cars - Jeep, Toyota, Lexus, many others. Bottom line, I think the Honda gave us the best bang for the buck Particularly since we bought a 2009 (3 years old car) with only 30K miles for $25,500, we got a great full decked out car - leather, sunroof, entertainment system, etc. Looking at similar cars, we'd either be paying a lot more, getting a car with a lot of miles, or getting a car with a lot less features / luxury/ etc. Overall, we've loving the new car - would recommend it to anyone."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Outstanding!

by Peanut
from Vermont | May 9, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"We were in the market for a large car-based SUV and we shopped the Highlander, the Acadia/Traverse twins and the Pilot. We were already familiar with Honda but didn't know what to expect. This has to be the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven or ridden in. The front seats are amazing. It is incredibly roomy and the third row is comfortable. It also has child seat anchors in the third row. So far in mixed driving we are getting 20mpg and youreally get addicted to trying to keep the ECO light on for the cylinder de-activation. It comes with a factory tow set-up. Drive one and you will be sold."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

09 pilot-miss the on-star :(

by 09 pilot
from new york | April 30, 2012

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"purchased a few months ago,no problems with about 4k driven,feel like we paid a fair price but as someone who has driven chevy products most of the time i felt good about having on-star , other than that i am very happy with the pilot"

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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0 out of 2 found this review helpful

Hidden Luxury

by Penny Watcher
from Canada | April 2, 2012

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I have only had this for a short time, but I love it. Extremely smooth ride and the inside features are great. This vehicle would be comparable to a Lexus or Acura without the finishing touches. The outside is deceiving as it has a plain style that doesn't give any hint to what awaits the driver. The leather seats are extremely comfortable and the layout of the dash is straightforward and easily accessible. Plenty of interior room and has a truck feel on the inside. Exterior is plain but practical. It looks much larger then the previous generations and has a rugged look. Performance is great with a peppy 6 cylinder that has enough available acceleration for the average user. Gas mileage is what to be expected with a firm 21 mpg highway. I was able to squeeze it to 23 with a feather like foot on accelerator and using cruise control. It handles firmly and gives an impression of great traction. I drove this through several snowstorms without that "losing it" feeling."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Great car!

by Caterpiller
from Los Angeles, CA | October 24, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"The car is an incredible awesome car! I love the car because recently had friends visiting from Quebec Canada and fit all eight comfortably in the Honda Pilot."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Great all-around vehicle for large family

by mom of 4
from Foothills of central California | October 4, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I bought this car to car-pool 6 high school students, tow a light horse trailer (with 2 horses), and commute to work. It is a great all-around vehicle to do all those things. With the newer body style (starting in 2009) it has decent leg room in the second and third seats for tall teenage boys. This midsize 4WD SUV has enough power to tow 4500 pounds. It's not fast towing 2 horses up steep hills but it gets the job done. Because I put a lot of miles on my car going to and from work, it helps to have these features without having to buy a giant SUV that guzzles gas. It has nice handling and power on my hilly, winding commute, and the controls are all well thought out. Overall, a very nice pick for my family."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Why stupid complaints ?

by The Rev.
from Pittsburgh, PA | August 17, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Why all the stupid complaints ? This is a great vehicle. Bought used one year ago and its the best vehicle I have ever owned. If you want to get 16 mpg in town and 25 on the highway just let up on the accelerator. Going 68 mph on the highway you should get 25mpg. Rides great, no problems, great interior. Tows my boat fine and has just enough pickup. No complaints !"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Absolutely Horrific

by GMC Lover
from | April 20, 2011

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 1 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 1 out of 5
Interior Design: 1 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"We had traded our Envoy XL Denali for this garbage. If you want to know where all your recycled plastic is going, it's right in here. There's plastic galore, not one hint of wood. Also the car is terribly underpowered, going from a 300hp V8 to a 250hp V6. There is absolutely no insulation, sometimes I can even hear the engine revving over the radio. The navigation is also no good. It tells you when to turn at almost the exact instant the turn has to be made.The exterior is also cheap. If you're going to spend 40k on a car, it better be worth it. The paint is thin, so it constantly scratches. The pin-striping is falling off, and it looks like a box. Also, the trunk is so tiny. You can't put anything in there without putting the third row down. The seating is also cramped. I'm 5'5" and cramped in the second row, and in the third row, my knees are resting against the second row. Overall horrible car. Not one thing I like about it. Can't wait until the lease is up so we can get an Acadia Denali."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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4 out of 33 found this review helpful

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