Filed under: Crossovers/CUVs, Honda
2009 Honda Pilot designer says number-crunchers won out
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot
After reading what Honda R&D Americas Inc. Chief Designer Dave Marek has to say regarding the 2009 redesign of the popular Honda Pilot CUV, we sense that he might not think of the boxy model as his team's best work. We've heard our fair share of comments regarding the new Pilot's design, many of which are less than flattering. It seems as if Marek has heard the same detractors, and he explains away some of the more controversial elements, such as the floating front grille. Marek says of the grille, "[it] was a case of taking something that was on something else... and kind of massaging it to fit. On the mockup, [it] looks good. When you actually manufacture it, oops! That's actually what happened. It's hard to foresee." He follows that statement with, "I think when (the '09) is out on the road, people will appreciate it." Reading between the lines, it sounds like this may be a design of which he's not particularly proud. Thanks for the tip, Robert!
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot
[Source: Wards Auto]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
johnny 4:42PM (5/28/2008)
I saw one in person on Monday. Its not that bad. The fronts ok. I have more of a problem with the rear and the interior than the front.
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Ford Wannup 6:09PM (5/28/2008)
Well, I've been a pretty loyal Honda fan to a fault, and often overlook their external designs to get their other virtues. Lately though, this company has been sprouting nightmare designs rather than from their Power of Dreams. I just can't see how the chief designer can blame number cruncher for what at the very basic, is an ugly design. There are hundreds of much cheaper cars with much better designs. The new Accord's interior buttons and what-nots look and feel cheap compare to its predecessor TWO generations prior! Shifting the blame is more like it.
Robert112 10:10PM (5/28/2008)
I'm with Ford Wannup. Former loyalist, but this generation of design forces me to look elsewhere. Not only that, but they killed off all the Hondas I loved the most: The Integra, Prelude, CRX, and NSX.
Reality_check 10:41PM (5/28/2008)
Jeremy Korzeniewski can you help me out here?
I remember the first, or one of the first posts that featured the final production 08 CRV (Can you post that link here?).
And it was one of the most criticized vehicles to hit the road, here on autoblog readers were merciless when talking about their dislike for it, looking back we were all wrong (me included) we just needed to get used to it, i mean who would have thought that it was going to be the best selling SUV in America?
Jordan 12:54AM (5/29/2008)
Reality Check
did you mean this link:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/13/americans-crave-the-cr-v-replaces-ford-explorer-as-best-selling/
Andrew 4:42PM (5/28/2008)
That thing looks like a Ford Escape with a very ugly grille. What's with the floating chrome ring in the centre of the grille?
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Torrent 4:44PM (5/28/2008)
I think the design is good- but 2 peeves:
1: The older Pilots had a column shifter, which sucked. the 09's have it in the weirdest place I have ever seen, and I'm pretty sure that sucks too.
And 2: The front is mangled. Have you seen Honda's optional grille on the Pilot? It's worse than Acura's Toucan grille.
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geo.stewart 5:22PM (5/28/2008)
i heard that along with the *new* push button start technology and *new* direct injection technology, cars are soon going to have a *new* option of column mounted shifting for automatics....
Dustin 4:50PM (5/28/2008)
I guess it's a pretty damn good vehicle if the biggest complaints are of a rectangular-like silver grille in the middle of a larger chrome grille.
Look Out... What a Hideous Beast! *rolls eyes*
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stratojet 4:58PM (5/28/2008)
Well, this design is functional, modern with a touch of the cubist movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso in the 20th century.
-It is easy to built
-Economical since it shares components with other models
- Modern looking, in the line of the Element, Scion, etc
-Easy to built: square is easy to put together
- Not offending
- Reliable: you will have to look at this many many years in your driveway.
This is what I suggest as a report for the Honda Lovers media. This way, they will not insult Honda and will still be eligible for a trip in Japan.
It would be interesting to read the comments if a CHevrolet badge was on this thing....
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HmmmmmSquared 5:03PM (5/28/2008)
"modern with a touch of the cubist movement pioneered by Pablo Picasso in the 20th century"
It is the 21st century though..
That One Person 11:23PM (5/28/2008)
First off: If it had a Chevy logo on it, it would most likely get slaughtered by the domestic haters....it happens enough on here. Things aren't as one sided as you think.
Also, if it is easy to build, wouldn't that make it cheaper?
And the design sure does have touches of the 20th century. It has design cues of the Escape and also Honda's own 90s SUV offerings.
Also, don't you think Honda's genius designers (who even admit that the front end is ugly) tweak it on pre-production models? Heck, Ford (lightly) tweaked the 08 Focus before it was put on sale...why couldn't Honda tweak the grille?
Chris 4:59PM (5/28/2008)
(cough-damage control-cough)
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broosewee 5:06PM (5/28/2008)
Function over Form.
Way over form.
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elprogramer 7:06PM (5/28/2008)
Did you say Jeep? I'm pretty sure someone said Jeep...
LALoser 5:14PM (5/28/2008)
Looks like the Nissan Trail-X in Asia and Southern Africa.
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Shiftright 5:18PM (5/28/2008)
It's nothing special, one way or the other. Don't see what the fuss is all about. If you don't like the floating grille, I'm sure loosening a few screws will remove it easily enough, or grab a can of matte black spray paint. Mostly, it's just typically Japanese generic/derivative, but decently proportioned, and ultimately, as per usual Honda, well engineered, well put together and ultra reliable.
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Ligor 5:57PM (5/28/2008)
yeah, except for that transmission, which will need replacing at 70k miles and every 70k there after - i hope they got that transmission updated.
M 6:11PM (5/28/2008)
No, don't give the design credibility by saying "...it's just typically Japanese generic/derivative, but decently proportioned...".
It was not designed in Japan. It was styled by an American (Dave Marek) who must have flunked out of Art Center College of Design.
iSpec 5:21PM (5/28/2008)
'Affluence detaches, and in time skews thinking. It gives you the illusion you’re safe.....(a company) can lose its gut this way.'
Honda and Toyota have decontented themselves into the sights of the upstart Koreans and the domestics. Consider the Pilot. Remove the 'H' and put a Chrysler badge on it and you wouldn't know it wasn't a Jeep. The plastic is right up there with Chryslers/
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