2009 Honda Pilot holds the line on pricing
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot
After getting a short stint behind the wheel of the newly redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot, we declared it a pretty thorough improvement over its predecessor. Regardless of how you think it looks, the newest crossover from Honda is a pretty darn good vehicle. So, we're rather happy to report that Honda saw fit to hold the line on pricing compared to its previous-generation 2008 Pilot. Starting at $27,595, plus destination and handling, the base model Pilot for '09 starts off at exactly the same point of entry as the 2008 edition. Next up is the Pilot EX at $30,395, while the leather-equipped Pilot EX-L will run you $33,595. At the top, the new Pilot Touring edition, which includes standard navigation, starts at $36,795. Four-wheel-drive adds $1,600 to the price of any trim and takes a small bite out of EPA fuel economy with the Pilot coming in at 17/23 (19 combined) miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22 (18 combined) miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models.
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot
[Source: Honda]
Press Release:
The all-new, completely-redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot is set to debut at dealerships nationwide on May 22 with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $27,595, plus destination and handling, for the well-equipped Pilot LX - the same as the 2008 model's price entry point, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The upscale Pilot EX starts at $30,395 and adds alloy wheels and an upgraded audio system; the Pilot EX-L, equipped with additional premium features including leather-trimmed seating surfaces and a moonroof, starts at $33,595; and the luxury-oriented Pilot Touring edition, an entirely new premium trim level for 2009 with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ as standard equipment, starts at $36,795. Pilots equipped with the available Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel-drive (VTM-4®) system have an MSRP starting at $29,195 for the Pilot LX; $31,995 for the Pilot EX; $35,195 for the Pilot EX-L; and $38,395 for the Pilot Touring.
"The timing is right for a vehicle like this as fuel prices drive families out of larger SUV's even though their lifestyles still require the type of functionality that Pilot delivers," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Advanced engine technologies help improve fuel efficiency while the interior has become even more comfortable and accommodating than the previous model."
Designed to occupy a unique position within its segment, the second-generation Pilot combines traditional SUV attributes of ruggedness, standard towing capability and functionality with the fuel economy, handling and refinement characteristics that have made crossovers popular.
The 2009 Pilot offers an authentic SUV exterior design while further enhancing on-road refinement and increasing interior functionality. A modern, stylish and spacious interior provides room for up to eight passengers while also providing more space behind the third row for items as large as a mid-size cooler or a folded stroller.
New standard engineering features on all models include a more-powerful, 250 horsepower, 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with the latest generation of Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) that works in 6-cylinder mode for performance and 3- or 4-cylinder mode for fuel efficiency. Additional new standard equipment includes a Class III hitch, hill start assist, larger 17-inch wheels and tires (+1-inch) and a lift-up glass hatch as part of the tailgate. New interior features include a telescopic steering column, enhanced audio systems and much more. The Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System™ is available on the Pilot EX-L and Pilot Touring. The new Pilot Touring edition introduces upscale features that include a power tailgate, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® and a USB audio interface. Keyless entry, power windows, power locks and cruise control are standard on all models.
The Pilot achieves an EPA-estimated city/highway/combined fuel economy of 17/23/19 miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22/18 miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models. The available, fully-automatic VTM-4 four-wheel drive is designed to deliver decision-free operation for all-weather traction and medium-duty off-road capabilities.
Standard safety equipment includes the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE®) body structure; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also commonly referred to as electronic stability control, with traction control and ABS; three-row side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor; dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags; a driver's front side airbag, and a front passenger's side airbag with an occupant position detection system. The Pilot is equipped with four Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) positions - more than any other SUV currently in the segment.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 2:07PM (5/21/2008)
Almost 28,000? Who prices something that ugly-that high? Well just ask the Highlander.
I'd even consider the Kia Boreggo before considering this.... this monster.
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roar 2:10PM (5/21/2008)
Buy a Saturn Outlook, Consumer Reports Recommended Buy, least expensive vehicle to own over 5 years in it's class, great styling, great price points and Saturn still delivers the best buying and ownership experience in the business.
roar
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TBlueMax 2:56PM (5/21/2008)
+1
If you absolutely have to have a 7- or 8- passenger vehicle, the Outlook/Acadia is probably the best vehicle in this segment based on price, performance, and equipment.
Chris 2:16PM (5/21/2008)
Here's hoping the Cougar Ace will be bringing these pigs over.
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Jared 2:22PM (5/21/2008)
Did Honda really have to beat it so badly with the ugly stick?
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Xcountryflyer 4:02PM (5/21/2008)
The grill is the absolutely ugliest thing. The interior is not so great either. Looks like they decided to mate a Pathfinder and an old Isuzu Trooper.
iSpec 2:28PM (5/21/2008)
Considering my 06 Pilot's value has plummeted in value, due to our oil companies refusing to buy oil for us and keep supplies low, demand for these vehicles is also plummeting and prices are soon to follow.
Honda is not 'holding the line' on prices on this vehicle, they would have trouble giving them away.
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CBESSEMER 2:31PM (5/21/2008)
First off, why is it that all SUV's are now called cross overs? The Pilot and Outlook are both enormous and weigh as much as most Full Size SUV's, the industry is turning the CUV into a joke...
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Dan 4:47PM (5/21/2008)
It's a crossover because it's a unibody vehicle without aspirations of heavy towing or significant offroad ability.
As far as the weight, the safety at any cost crash mandates have made every vehicle a pig. Yeah this is very nearly as big and heavy as a Tahoe was 5 years ago - but look how big a new real SUV is.
Disgruntled Goat 1:13PM (5/22/2008)
Why is anything called something different than it was in the past? Because that thing has negative connotations tied to it so once the label gets poisoned you must jettison it and get a new label. Then when that one gets tarnished you jettison that one and get a new one, and so on and so on and so on...
SUVs are old, crude and offensive.
CUVs are new, hip and trendy.
And don't you dare call them SUVs or station wagons. They're all CUVs.
Travis 2:39PM (5/21/2008)
SUV = no care.
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Dustin 4:06PM (5/21/2008)
Good thing you posted, then.
k.w.a 2:43PM (5/21/2008)
about '09 Pilot's styling: Honda has taken one step forward above the rest in efforts to prevent vehicle theft. Pioneered by the Pontiac Aztek, Honda has resurrected this technique to insure that the owner will never again walk to a parking lot and discover their Pilot missing.
Also prevents:
-Your teens from sneaking out with the Pilot while you're away
-Valet taking your Pilot for a "test drive"
-Strangers who ask questions about your car as you walk towards it
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Lithous 2:43PM (5/21/2008)
Very GMC Envoy meets Chevy Tahoe.
Then again, the new Accord looks a lot like the Saturn L-Series so it shouldn't surprise me the GM influence on Honda.
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3cubed (4squared plus 2squared) 4:03PM (5/21/2008)
Actually its Honda meets the Nissan Xtrail. You can see these in Mexico.
http://www.niot.net/niot_570/nissan%20x-trail.jpg
psu48187 2:50PM (5/21/2008)
The styling is starting to grow on me a little bit, but couldn't they have tried to hide the sheer size of this vehicle (i.e. streamlining the exterior design).
The interior is an entirely different story. It's ugly and appears very cheap.
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MrMorix 2:54PM (5/21/2008)
This thing makes the Focus looks good.
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ugg.tryptophan 3:21PM (5/21/2008)
im going to assume you mean the american focus
Tricky dicky 3:27PM (5/21/2008)
Gross...
It is easy to get one now for 2k under invoice, and I don't see that changing with this bionic turd.
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Wolf 3:37PM (5/21/2008)
Beyond the looks, the content seems to be lacking. My '08 Highlander has more power, more towing capacity, better looks, better fuel economy, and similar pricing. I'm glad I didn't wait for the '09 Pilot to come out.
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