tftimm

The non-profit organization that I work for is looking at trading in it's Chevrolet Suburban's (2) for a combination of Odyssey/Pilot. I would like to hear your opinions of both and if you've driven either. I will be driving one of them on an almost full-time basis. I take it home, have it on the weekend, etc. and my wife drives the TSX most of the time. I do get to drive the TSX, but not as much as I wish.

Anyways, the big question is how often will we need the vehicle for more than 5 people? Probably no more than 2-3 times a year. I am not a real estate broker, but do similar work in Economic Development. Sometimes we get large groups, but rarely. Most of the time it is a total of 3-4 people including myself.

My boss wants atleast 1 vehicle that can hold 7-8 people. He hasn't ruled out getting a CRV and either a Pilot of Odyssey. Anyways, he wants them to be reliable and I don't think he really wants an van, I think he'd prefer the Pilot.

I have not test driven either, but from watching video's on youtube, etc. it seems that the Odyssey has considerably more leg room for all 3 sets of seats, especially in the back.

Questions:
1) How does road noise compare?
2) Is the sound system the same (we're looking at the base models)?
3) Gas mileage seems about the same, 17city/21-23hwy
4) Overall comfort, highway driving, around town, driving position etc?
5) Storage space?

I personally could care less. The Suburban's have been a POS and since the warranty is up we need to dump them. I would like to get the Pilot but is there any real benefit? The Odyssey seems to get great reviews and seems very reliable and more practical. They also seem to have great resale.

So I might be leaving the Suburban and start cruising in an Odyssey.

Thoughts?

By the way, they will be 2010 models, probably LX, maybe EX.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I have no idea for the 2010 Pilot. However, my father owns 08 Ody and it is a fantastic vehicle. I'm pretty sure it's the segment leader.

tmnhs81

Odyssey is the only minivan I'd rock...Its one worthy van.. I havent driven one though. My friends parents have a pilot, i think its 08, they just love that thing..

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Not sure who will be able to offer what as far as first hand knowledge... but from looking over your questions I'd say your best bet is to go and test drive each vehicle. Doing that should answer everything you asked...

I do agree with JS+TL though... you'll likely love the Odyssey. Most of the parents in our community have either the Odyssey or the Sienna (Toyota) and they love them both. I have been in each at one time or another as a passenger and both are great vehicles and should likely meet your needs...

tftimm

Thanks for the feedback. How about a road noise comparison?

nokiaman

I haven't been in the new '10 Pilot models but we purchased an 08 Odyssey EX-L last year in August. Like other people have mentionned above, it's a terrific minivan; it's quiet, peppy and most of all spacious. It has been reliable give or take a few issues (that were all replaced under TSBs) My wife wants to upgrade to an SUV but we can't seem to let go of it.

How does road noise compare?
-Couldn't tell ya but it does seem like our friend's 08 Pilot rides a little bit quieter but nothing significant enough to make you pick one over the other imo.

Is the sound system the same (we're looking at the base models)?

-Sound systems are the same unless you get the Touring Pkg which is the top of the line. The one we have works just fine as well.

Overall comfort, highway driving, around town, driving position etc?

-In terms of overall comfort, the two front rows are about the same until you get to the third one. In the Pilot, adults will feel a lot more cramped unlike in the Odyssey. Both are great on the highways and around town, driving position felt good over our long family trips.

Storage space?

-You know the main difference in storage is that if you have the third row up in either vehicle, the minivan will always have the edge. We have a big deep trunk that can take anything we throw at it. Our previous MDX did not.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Have only been in a 2007 Pilot. Compared to that the mini vans were definitely more quiet. The vans I have been in range from 2006-2008 models. Not sure about the new models.

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

My parents have a 2006 Honda Odyssey. It's a kick ass mini-van!! Ride is kinda stiff and the stereo is OK (base model) but overall this thing is awesome. Plenty of storage, power, good steering feedback and the road noise isn't that bad. As long as you have good tires your set.

Sarlacc

Both new Pilots and Odysseys are awesome vehicles. Cant lose with either.

tftimm

I haven't test drove them, but the I spoke with him on the phone and he only asked about the Odyssey and the CRV. My guess is he's leaning towards the Odyssey for me. I take the people around, the other vehicle will be for the other person I work with.

Do the automotic sliding rear doors come as standard equipment on the LX? Or do you have to upgrade to the EX?

Speed_Racer

We've got a 2008 Touring and Nokiaman's feedback is spot on. You can't go wrong with the Odyssey for all the traits said above. I know you did mention you wouldn't be going higher than an LX or EX. If for some reason you find a good deal on a Touring make sure it's the Non-PAX version. They started that option on the Tourings in 2008. PAX tires are nothing but trouble on them.

tftimm

I remember reading about the PAX tires on the RL. Thanks for the heads up. Why did Honda/Acura think that was a good idea?

Speed_Racer

I think the concept of run flats on the Odyssey was ok. The PAX system just didn't live up to the hype. Didn't last past 30K miles, had to be serviced by the dealer only, very expensive and you couldn't just change the tires since the rim was specific to the PAX. Lots of owners were just buying MDX rims and new tires when it came to time to replace their PAX's.

Moog-Type-S

You can't go wrong with the Oddy.

tftimm

My wife doesn't want the min-van, but I could care less, I ain't paying for it. I think I'll end up with the Odyssey. I want the EX though with the sliding doors, etc.

tftimm

Auto sliding doors rather, 6 speaker sound system, and wheels instead of hub caps on the EX

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Ody

PPLAPW

tftimm

That's a nice looking Odyssey, but I don't think the boss is going to let me do that to it...

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Both are really solid cars. The Pilot is very roomy, but it will not be as comfortable as the Odyssey if you have to pack it with people.

Shift_Acura

Have u checked out the Mazda 5? 4 cylinder fuel economy and driving dynamics of a car...

Out of the 2 id pick the Pilot

tmnhs81

that odyssey is

Will Y.

Our 2004 Ody's spare tire is a pain to access-- in the middle of the floor between the front and second row seats. At least it isn't very heavy, being a compact spare. I gotta go check the tire pressure on the damn thing now...

I'd vote for the Ody instead of the Pilot because of the easier entry and access for passengers, but I haven't driven a Pilot before to compare driving characteristics.

Speed_Racer

The 2008 has a full size spare in the back hatch area. Now there's a hidden compartment between the front and 2nd row.

LaCostaRacer

As others have pointed out, both Pilot and Oddyssey are good choices. It comes down to how you're going to use the vehicle. A Oddy will hold adults in more comfort than a Pilot and get better highway mileage while a Pilot is more capable off-road, towing, or snow. I can't imagine a non-profit needing to tow or go off-road too much but perhaps you run into snow in Texas. An Oddy is probably the best choice if snow is no issue.

This comes from a Pilot owner that loves our 2005 Pilot, but my family is just 4 people. The back seat in the Pilot is good mostly for teens or younger for extended trips in our 2005- I know the 2010 has grown so it's better than ours in the regard. The Ody is a people mover and would be tough to beat for that role.

DISRUPTV

both are great...pilot is quieter and rides a bit better than the ody due to newer design...however, the discounts are better on the ody and id only recommend the pilot if u absolutely HAD to have AWD...

i'd personally rock the ody w/a set of snows and call it a day

sr4dt

I haven't driven the "new" Pilot yet. However in 2007 while cross checking both, the Ody had a better drive + more storage while seating 8 + easier entry & exit from rear seat + more ergonomic seating for the 2 & 3rd row. Ody also drove more like a car as compared to Pilot which had some what of a truck feel....

And oh ya...we got the Ody...and have loved every mile we put on it.

Also if you are going to get Ody instead of LX try for an EX (if not an EX-L). You will definitely appreciate the added convinience features over the LX.

Legend2TL

Both are great vehicles, we own a 2003 Pilot with 145K of trouble-free miles. As many others have stated, the Odyssey has more room and is more comfortable. Personally i'd rather have a Ody, but my it's my wife's vehicle and she did not want a minivan so she got the Pilot.

Your questions

Questions:
1) How does road noise compare?

I've not been in a 2G Pilot but 2G Odyssey's are much quieter than a 1G Pilot. That goes for wind noise and tire noise.

2) Is the sound system the same (we're looking at the base models)?

Only been in the 2G Ody with RES, it's sound system is about the same as our 1G Pilot.

3) Gas mileage seems about the same, 17city/21-23hwy

Reviews in magazines for the new Pilot show it to be pretty thirsty for actual use. Folks I know with the 1G and 2G Ody get ~25MPG highway. Our 1G Pilot is ~22MPG highway.

4) Overall comfort, highway driving, around town, driving position etc?

I'd use Edmunds as a reference. Pilot's handle pretty well for their size and distance off the ground, but Ody have much better CG so they handle better. Ody also have better ride. My only negative on the Ody is the dash and driving postion in the front is typical mini-van being like a bus. I think the Pilot has a slightly higher seat height.


5) Storage space?

Ody is far larger inside the lack of 4WD system and far closer to the ground (~200cuft vs ~140cuft). We've camped with neighbors with their 2G ody and with the rear seat up there is alot of storage.

The last of row of seats in the Ody are far more comforatble than a Pilot, as others have mentioned the last row of the Pilot is for small children or teenagers. The seat to floor distance in the Ody is far more. I sat in a 2G Pilot recently in the showroom and while it's bigger than the 1G, it's still tight in that last row.

westas2

The wife has an 07 Ody and loves it. I am 6 feet tall and find the third row (which reclines!) to be extremely comfortable. Side doors offer easy access and cargo room is great. We can pack up the kids and the dogs and fit more stuff in the van than we ever could in our Yukon. I have not experience with the Pilot but I would recommend the van if you can get past the fact that it's a mini-van.

westas2

PPLAPW - that van is sick, where did you find the pic?

neuronbob

Oddy is the hottest-looking minivan out there. It's the only minivan I'd rock. I have test driven one (2007) back when the wife and I were looking at cars for her. It drives just like a car and with mods actually looks very good. And my goodness, the room!

Like Legend2TL, the wife ended up with the Pilot and has loved it for 2 1/2 years now. She won't part with it at all. I'd rather drive my V, honestly (duh!)

PPLAPW

I found it here at AcuraZine a couple years back!

I knew it would come in handy so i saved it...

F23A4

As we 'speak', the wife and I are shopping a used (ideally certified) 05-06ish Odyssey EX-L. Though I like the Lexus like feel of the Sienna, the only minivan I'd consider is the Odyssey.

As for the Pilot, I can't get past the exterior styling of it and actually prefer the 1G. (Personally, I wish Honda would have styled it to resemble the CR-V.) But, I'm certain that it's a competent vehicle nonetheless....as are most Hondas.

nokiaman

Try to find an already de-paxed Touring, it'll be well worth it; or an EX-L with Nav.

brizey

Our next door neighbors have three kids. They bought a new Pilot about two years ago, then traded it a year later for an Odyssey. Once you hit the fifth person nothing beats a minivan for passenger comfort.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Seriously, the Ody is the way to go!

F23A4

tftimm

As a follow up, I'm going to end up getting an Odyssey LX, base that is. I currently drive an 05 Suburban base and it has been nothing but trouble.

I test drove the Odyssey but not the Pilot. I was impressed with the way the Odyssey drove, more like a car than an SUV. The space for the back passengers, including the last row was really nice. It is definitely more practical that the Pilot in terms of what I need. I wish we could get an EX for the upgraded suspension, power sliding doors, and stereo system, but oh well.
I'm sure I'll prefer drivng around in a Honda vehicle than a GM. The reliability is there and I look forward to getting my Odyssey. My wife doesn't like me in a mini-van but I don't have a choice. It is definitely a well engineered and nice driving van. It also seems to be very reliable.

Will Y.

FWIW, you can upgrade the suspension and stereo for less than the EX upgrade cost. You'll avoid any power door issues and won't have those extraneous, sometimes noisy, roof racks to contend with either!

sr4dt

So what color are you getting !!!

Previously some of the trims on LX such as side mirror etc were not painted to matched the body color. Not sure if Honda changed that ..... In case it still comes un painted you may want to consider Black ext color for LX as then it would match the unpainted parts....