2012wagon

Looking for some real world ownership experience . I keep reading on the forum that the ilx is rebadged civic and tlx is rebadged accord .

Is the mdx a rebadged pilot or is there significant differences to warrant the extra money ? Not the jewel headlights but substantive differences in living with it daily and carrying passengers ?

Also how is the leg room in the 3rd row ? Is it just as easy to get into as pilot or easier or more difficult ?

How about the cargo area behind third row ?

Thanks

musty hustla

Other than the obvious difference in interior and exterior design in materials, I would say the biggest difference is driving dynamics. The Acuras generally feel and drive sportier in comparison.


I can personally speak to the huge difference in the Accord (previous gen) vs. TSX and RDX vs. CRV.


If you're the type that thinks a car is just a box with 4 wheels, there is no appreciable difference.

2012wagon

Well if we thought cars wee box with wheels we wouldn't be on an auto forum

So you are saying mdx is faster drives better quality better and handles better ?

Type X

The 2016 pilot definitely gives the mdx a run for its money

Pano roof, all new styling etc

musty hustla

I preferred the look of the old pilot. Now it looks like a fat CRV. However the MDX looks like a fat RDX.

I bet the MDX still drives better.

Stu's2004TL

I owned a 2007 Pilot. It was a good SUV, very truck like vs. the MDX which rides more like a car. We also test drove a 2012 Pilot a few years ago and the current generation rides like a truck too. Very large. I would say no comparison.

2012wagon

^^
Aside from the better driving experience, how do you feel towards the quality and interior space packaging?


Thanks in advance

Stu's2004TL

Being a family of two younger teenagers, there are several Pilots parked at the weekend sport's games. I know several people who own them and love them. Only negatives I hear are the truck like ride and really poor fuel economy. It is an 8 passenger truck, MDX is 7. The MDX has the new direct injection engine, the current Pilot does not.

The current Pilot has been around since 2009 I believe, it is tested and true. With the current incentives, you can get a pretty good deal on it as well if you don't mind have the old body style and can live with the poor MPG.

I recently took my MDX on a 150 mile road trip, just me with no load. I received 31.7 MPG highway. The Pilot , on the same trip, may hit 21 or 22 if you are lucky.

Quality...you will be fine...should be flawless. Interior space, probably the largest in its class.

As to my 2007, we never had any issues with it. We traded it in 2010, my wife tried a Highlander for a year...we then moved to the MDX.

2012wagon

Holy crap 31 mpg on mdx that is amazing

My friend has a new $50k hybrid highlander limited and only gets 28mpg

Stu's2004TL

Yes, strictly highway with no passengers. Steady at around 60-65 mph. The new Earth Dreams engines are great. My Accord 4 cylinder gets 38-40 on the highway.

RC1991

Had a 2002 MDX then went to a 2011 Pilot Touring and now to a 2016 MDX Advance. The Pilot was a nice reliable vehicle - major differences were the more truck like ride, cheaper feel to the interior materials (plastics used on dash easily scratched), rather poor fuel economy even with VCM and especially when loaded down, and it was underpowered. I do agree that the new Pilot may give the MDX a ru. For its money but wouldn't be surprised to see the '17 MDX gain the pano sunroof and Blueray option for the entertainment system. We also have an Audi Q5 with a pano sunroof and that is actually one of my favorite features. I do prefer the driving of the MDX over the Pilot as does my wife who has been the primary driver. I think the SH-AWD makes the MDX handle very well and is maybe a half step below the Quattro on the Audi with the caveat that the Q5 is a smaller vehicle.

2012wagon

Thanks so much

Seems like the extras $$ for mdx surely worth it

YZ450

I traded my wife's 11 Pilot EX-L for a 2014 MDX Tech more than a year ago... we love the MDX but my kids hates it. We live in Orlando which is hot 90% of the year and the MDX has no 3rd row A/C vents. So... when we've people over (which is a lot) the kids seating at the 3rd row won't stop complaining, all I hear is how hot the back is which is understandable but annoying. You either freeze the people on the 2dn row or bake the 3rd.

Don't get me wrong the MDX is a great vehicle but for me the selling point was its combination of sportiness + 3rd row but in hot climate the 3rd row is not to practical.

2012wagon

I live in very hot climate and ac vent in rear is a must