Honda officially unveiled the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this month. Once the SUV was pulled out onto the stage its looks left many of us wanting more.
Apparently the automotive journalists at the show are not the only people that feel that the "evolutionary" new Pilot leaves something to be desired. According to a survey by CNW Research the new design is not doing well. CNW surveyed drivers from LA, Chicago and Detroit. The 2009 Pilot received 7.5 out of 12 points from the people that were surveyed, which is off at least a point and a half of what most cars usually get.
Although Honda has labeled this vehicle as a prototype you can expect it to look pretty much the same when it is officially released later this year.
Most of the respondents simply said the new design is boring. What do you think?
Full Story: Inside Line
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Detroit 2008: Honda Pilot Prototype Hits the Stage
Honda Releases Teaser Images of the 2009 European Accord (Acura TSX)
Comments (30)
I like it. Nice and clean. More masculine grille, like the new Accord. What's not to like?
Posted by David Spreefelt | January 29, 2008 10:41 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 10:41
What's not to like? It's huge. I remember when the Pilot was a small SUV. Now it's friggin' huge.
Posted by Polynikes | January 29, 2008 10:45 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 10:45
What.....The Pilot was NEVER a small SUV...the CR-V is a small SUV. Get your facts straight before popping off about something.
Posted by Drew | January 29, 2008 10:54 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 10:54
The exterior looks more like something a Detroit manufacturer would produce = very boring. Although the interior looks "interesting" to say the least. It's certainly distinctive.
If only Ford can produce nice lookin cars like the Verve concept. Honda and other manufacturers who put out designs like these would be in trouble.
Posted by Paranoyd | January 29, 2008 10:55 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 10:55
It's not a sport SUV, it's just a regular SUV. It has the looks of the GMC Envoy and GMC Yukon, a little bit of Pathfinder and some other manufactures.
The people this is targeted for are non luxury wanting people.
Posted by Andrew | January 29, 2008 10:58 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 10:58
Boring, no. Ugly, yes.
Posted by Topper | January 29, 2008 11:18 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:18
Honda = boring designs. Drive German for looks, Japanese for reliability.
Posted by Audi-Inni | January 29, 2008 11:23 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:23
the front end is boring.
the rear end is very nice, very minimalist.
if this pilot wants to compete with toyota highlander, the front end need to be revised, at least make the front end simillar to current acura mdx.
revising this pilot's front end to be simillar to acura mdx shouldn't be too hard, afterall, this pilot share the same platform with acura mdx?
Posted by anon | January 29, 2008 11:29 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:29
Cool - the front is even more ugly than the Subaru Tribeca "flying vagina".
Posted by aj | January 29, 2008 11:32 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:32
I think it looks fine. I'm glad it's an SUV and not a 'crossover'.
If you put normal looking headlights on it I'd like it 60% more.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 29, 2008 11:37 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:37
uhm I've been thinking about my previous comment, if this pilot get some of the acura mdx's styling influence, then it probably won't be good for honda because it might canibalize acura mdx's sale
Posted by anon | January 29, 2008 11:45 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:45
It looks just awful. I hate how the Japanese are trying to "Americanize" their cars for the US audience. The reason many of us loved the imports was because of their revolutionary and break-out designs
First the Scion xB, and now the Pilot. What else is going to go from awesome to boring?
Posted by Coyote | January 29, 2008 11:46 AM
Posted on January 29, 2008 11:46
The Scion xB ? Revolutionary ? It looks like a four wheeled box designed by a 1st grade student, what is so revolutionary about that.
Posted by Ozric | January 29, 2008 12:18 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 12:18
"David Spreefelt:
I like it. Nice and clean. More masculine grille, like the new Accord. What's not to like?"
Yeah...exactly. It looks like the new Accord...the ugliest Accord that Honda has ever made. This Pilot is ugly, boring, and downright uninspiring. Honda needs to quit trying to go the "safe" route for styling (in the US, especially) and step out there with some avant garde ideas.
Posted by Dwayne68 | January 29, 2008 12:32 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 12:32
ok.ok. This THING is not only ugly......but it looks to share too many of its componants with an Isuzu Trooper....
Come on HONDA...I know you have been conservative in the past..and wish not to stir too much Sh*t with the introduction of the "ALL NEW 2009 PILOT," but, COME ON..........
Sales are up...Honda is still one of the most reliable brands to buy..But why do drivers have to sacrifice beauty for safety....
Please, someone tell me that this prototype is somewhat of a mock and that the final production vehicle will kill the explorers, pathfinders, troopers, axioms, forrunners, trailblazers of the world..
Honda, you have the potential to produce REVOLUTIONARY vehicles, stop the conservativeness and create a niche...One that you will OWN...and no others can attain...
Lets not forget what happened with the HONDA INSIGHT...your the first one to bring a hybrid vehicle to the masses, and what do you do....you sell yourself short and TOYOTA beats you with the PRIUS...They now hold the highest selling hybrid vehicle to exhistance....THAT COULD HAVE BEEN YOU!
Hire me...I can promise change...and not in a FORD/CHEVY way! I have over 15 years of automotive consoltation expirience. Trust.
Posted by TheConsoltantC | January 29, 2008 12:34 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 12:34
Seems to me that a Ford Explorer and an Isuzu Trooper got married, had a kid, and it grew up to be this new Pilot.
Posted by r3claim3r | January 29, 2008 12:36 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 12:36
Thanks for the quad-post TheConsoltantC.
I find it hard to believe anyone would consult with someone who can't even spell the word.
Kill yourself.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | January 29, 2008 1:10 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 13:10
LMFAO...
n00bz
Posted by tEh r0x0r | January 29, 2008 1:57 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 13:57
Is it too boring? that's like asking if the sky's blue, of course it's boring, it's a Honda, Honda only makes boring vehicles, they don't really seem to try cause people just buy them cause it is a Honda, I mean seriously the Element is proof they can slap that H on the front of a box (a box they didn't even finishing painting at that) and people will snatch it up from the lots.
Posted by Sandra | January 29, 2008 3:18 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 15:18
This pilot concept isn't any more boring than the current pilot, I don't hate it or love it, if you want good looks, get a f$&cking Acura.
Sandra: Wtf are you talking about, honda only makes boring vehicles? Look at the styling of the civic compared to any other car in its class, it's the least boring of anything in its class. The same goes for the honda fit, the least boring of any other small car. And look at their Acura line, the TSX, TL, RDX and MDX are all very distinct, good looking automobiles. You want boring, look at EVERY American car. I didn't even realize the "new" CTS was new at all, it's ridiculously boring. I don't think there are any American cars that aren't atleast bordering boredom, and if you want ugly like the element, don't forget the ever popular pontiac Aztek, which is still on sale to this day. The reason why people buy the element is because it's purely functional, element buyers are not concerned with good looks obviously... but it's still not generic as f&%* like all american cars are.
Posted by Reggie | January 29, 2008 3:54 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 15:54
Yes.
Posted by Allen | January 29, 2008 4:32 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 16:32
The designe is just so so but the competition arent puting enoug presure on them to make a evolutionary leap, and unless someone saw somthing wrong with the designe i suppose honda wont fix what aint' broke.
Posted by dennisil | January 29, 2008 5:36 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 17:36
Sandra:
Really go drive the Element and use it like most of the owners use it and your preception of the vehicle will change. For a compact 4 seat utility device the Element has no equal in its price range. Is the exterior sexy? No. Did Honda ever sell it on its looks? No. Does it work for weekend home project types, hobbyists, gardners, people who have the vehicle double as a person carrier and true utility vehicle? Yes.
It was not until the introduction of the Element SC that Honda even tried to add some styling to the vehicle. It has served its intended purpose with only one complaint from many of its owners, and that is somehow add a third seat in the back.
Posted by Turkle | January 29, 2008 6:51 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 18:51
It is not that boring, but that color with chrome rims and a chrome grille don't look so hot together. Honda is never really that outrageous with its designs. If you want an edgy SUV look to Nissan as they aren't affraid of changing things up. But yeah the things getting to the sherman tank size now, and its going to have to get a V8 option soon which is just retarded. We have enough v8 rwd/awd mini buses on the market, Honda shouldn't feel like it needs to join the fleet.
Posted by carluver57 | January 29, 2008 6:52 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 18:52
I'm sure it'll be a fine riding vehicle and I'm sure it'll be perfectly friendly in terms of usability. But I've said this before and I'll say it again, from the side, it looks too much like a Jeep Patriot.
And no, that's not a good thing.
Posted by Jim | January 29, 2008 6:58 PM
Posted on January 29, 2008 18:58
It's a brick. Some people like bricks; I don't. I can just look at it and imagine the awful handling and the strain of trying to push that box to 75-80mph. That's the cruising speed on I-285. Stay out of the fast lane please.
Posted by Kell | January 30, 2008 9:44 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 09:44
I find it 'unobjectionable.' It doesn't attract me, but it doesn't repel me either.
Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on the demographic they are shooting for. For example, I like cars whose appearance is more interesting than this. My wife, otoh, is all about functionality. I think she'd prefer this Pilot over the current CRV, as it looks like it has better visability through the windows and makes better use of interior space. She also loves the Element, which tells you she's not at all put off by blocky styling.
So, if the interior bits feel solid, and the price isn't too high, I think this Pilot will sell.
Posted by kw | January 30, 2008 10:06 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 10:06
There really isn't much that I can say that hasn't been stated already. The design is uninspiring nor thought provoking. The exterior hasn't really been redesigned, it's more of a mild refresh. The vehicle looks very much like the last generation and I don't see why they would expect reviews to think otherwise. It'll sell just fine though, probably just as well as the last vehicle if not better. I won't be purchasing it though because personally I do require a vehicle with a bit more flare.
Posted by D! | January 30, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on January 30, 2008 11:22
Can't believe it 's more cubic looking than current model. The interior appears to be more contemporary. Hopefully the suspension got revamped so it's not as bumpy as current AWD EX-L I have; they better have audio system improved, the one in EX-L sounds worse than my 92 Nissan Sentra previously owned
Posted by Zigzag | March 4, 2008 9:20 AM
Posted on March 4, 2008 09:20
When Honda first redesigned the Civic, that was a very attractive car. Then came the Accord. I was hoping for a big more, along the lines of the Civic. Its not boring, but not exciting either. Now they redesigned the Pilot, and I agree it looks like a re-engineered version on the Isuzu Trooper (not good). It now seems like Toyota is getting better with designs (slowly), as I do like the Highlander (regardless of what anybody says). Honda seems to be following the old Toyota recipe of designs. Unless this new Pilot drives better, is roomier (esp. 3rd row), and gets good MPG, I may give it consideration. Otherwise I may end up with the Highlander. It supposedly took Toyota two years to redesign the Corolla when the Civic came out. I don't think Honda will do the same with the Pilot.
Posted by fast_lane | March 19, 2008 11:01 AM
Posted on March 19, 2008 11:01