4Runner vs Pilot

L

Larry

New member
Did anyone look at a Pilot before buying a 4Runner?

I was impressed with the room inside the Pilot but not the salesman. It drove well on the freeway, but no better than the 4Runner. Also it had lousy breaks and it really felt heavy, and it is, buy 3 or 4 hundred pounds. Besides fade those tires look kind of small.

I guess the real difference is that the 4Runner is a truck and the Pilot is a minivan. I really wanted to like the Pilot, I have owned many Hondas, but bought the Toyota.

And about the Honda dealers...if they did not have a good product they would be out of business. At the time I bought my 4Runner they wanted about $1k over sticker. And on many Pilots and Odysseys were mandatory accessories that were not what I'd ever buy. I guess that Pilot and Odyssey buyers are really sure they want a Honda.
 
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After I got my '03 4Runner, my father drove it and remembered how much he liked his old '84 toyota 4x4. He really regrets selling that (and I regret him selling it...I wanted to buy it from him...but that's another story.)

Anyways, my parents were recently in the market for another vehicle in addition to their Honda Odyssey and, since this was to be "my dad's" vehicle, he and my mother when to look at the '04 4Runner and the '04 Honda Pilot. They really liked the 4runner, but the ultimate deciding factor was that if my mother drove it, she couldn't see out of the 4runner as well as she could the pilot--such is the curse of being height-challenged.

They've had it for about 5-6 months now and taken it on a couple of road trips. They like it, but every time my father and I are around each other and my mother isn't within earshot, he says how he really would rather have the 4runner. He's tried to trade a few times, too...I told him "she ain't available for barter!"
 
I know how your father feels. My wife and I are shopping for a second suv, she wants a pilot I want another runner this time 4wd. Looks like I will be loosing my battle and will soon be the owner of a runner and pilot. It would be kinda of cool to have two 4th gens side by side.
 
I also considered the Pilot when I bought my 4Runner. The main reason that prevented me from doing so was because the dealers weren't willing to deal too much. They would only go $1000 under MSRP at most.
 
IRS and IFS

The true 4wd system in the 4Runner really creamed the Pilots Inferior Rear Suspension. Originally I wanted the Pilot, I drove both in several different trims, and went with the 4Runner. For the same reason, I went with the v6 trim on the runner due to not wanting the full-time 4x4. Also, I like the ability of the 4Runners Mass Air Sensor for its adaptability to mods on the engine. The Pilot still uses a speed density type system. It doesn't respond well to mods. Milage came into play, as well as interior layout, and choice of interior colors. In the beginning it was hard, in the end it was not that hard to choose at all. The 4 Runner has a legacy behind it, is rugged, dependable, decently priced, has a look all its own, and is very very capable off road, the Pilot has some of those, but in my biased, but educated decision, I chose the 4 Runner.

Trevor
 
Did anyone that drive a Pilot find the brakes spongy or mushy? I guess the problem comparing the two was the smaller tires and brakes on the Pilot.
 
Looked at Pilot until found out rear curtain not even an option. Went and looked at Acura MDX instead. We did not like it very much at all.
 
I was torn between buying a 4Runner and a Pilot. I finally decided on my Mica Gray SR5 V6.

Today, When I got to work I found a new shiny Pilot in the lot. My co-worker bought one over the weekend.

Well. after looking at it far longer than when I was shopping, I no longer have a single regret.

I could certainly live with the Piolt but for me the 4Runner wins!
 
a friend of mine also bought a pilot at around the time i bought my 4runner. i have nothing against the pilot because i think it is also a great suv in it's own way, but it does not look as "beefy" as i'd like. the 4runner is more of a real suv than many on the market right now, and i'm glad i jumped on the wagon.
 
TranceKrayz said:
the 4runner is more of a real suv than many on the market right now, and i'm glad i jumped on the wagon.
Click to expand...

Yup, the Pilot is built on the same platform as the Odyssey minivan - no comparison to the rugged frame of the 4Runner :)
 
I also heavily considered a Pilot but didn't get one because the EX/EX-L models were selling almost at MSRP. I am very happy with my 4Runner.
 
My mom has a Pilot. It's a nice SUV. And it is similar to the Odyssey, my dad has an Odyssey, and I've driven both. I like the Pilot, it has a fun to drive factor that you wouldn't expect, and it's a smooth ride, for times you want that car like ride. But I like the 4runner because it feels more rugged..
 
4R vs Pilot

Way back when, circa Sept03, I looked at the Pilot too, as a very satisfied Honda customer. But the 4R kept pulling me its way, and I ultimately went with the 4R...I have not a single regret...and the more I see of Pilots today (square, boring), and after 20,000 great miles on my 03SR5, I am convinced I made the right decision!!
 
The Pilot didn't even cross my mind. I don't like the way it looks at all. It looks like a wussy SUV when parked next to the 4Runner! On the other hand, almost any SUV looks weak near the 4Runner!
 
As a long-time, very satisfed Honda owner, my natural inclination was to look at the Pilot. Without a doubt, it is a very nice vehicle, and extremely roomy, more so that the 4Runner. But to compare the two vehicles isn't fair to either one, because they are different types of vehicles even though they fall into the SUV category. As previsouly mentioned, the Pilot shares the same frame as their mini-van, and the 4Runner is on a truck frame (not sure if it shares it with the Tacoma). The 4Runner is made for off-roading and the Pilot isn't. The Pilot doesn't have any comparable technology to the 4Runner's VSC, DAC, and uphill assist controls. The Pilot only has one 4WD range (other than all-time which is on all the time). Comparing the Pilot to the Highlander would be more appropriate.
 
Truck vs. FWD platform




Made in Japan > Made in NA




Plus Honda's 5 speed auto is junk.

(edit to fix location ;): )
 
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bamachem said:
Sorry, but I'll have to call you on that one.

The pilot and odyssey are both made in Lincoln, Alabama side-by-side in the same plant along with the engines for each. They ~may~ also make them in Ohio, but I believe that the plant in Alabama is the sole manufacturer for all the odysseys and pilots...
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Yup, that's what I read. I believe all Pilots and Odysseys are made in the US. Maybe Canada too but I could be wrong, but I think they're all made in North America irregardless.
 
bamachem said:
Sorry, but I'll have to call you on that one.

The pilot and odyssey are both made in Lincoln, Alabama side-by-side in the same plant along with the engines for each. They ~may~ also make them in Ohio, but I believe that the plant in Alabama is the sole manufacturer for all the odysseys and pilots...
Click to expand...

Sorry. I thought they came out of Marysville, OH. :o
 
I too looked at the pilot and the 4Runner with my wife. After driving the pilot my wife hated the "minivan windshield" and the van-like interior. The 4Runner made her feel more comfortable and more secure. All I did was say "Yes dear" because I knew the 4Runner was a hardcore SUV, second to none!!!
 
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