On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 23:04:58 GMT, ebco@(nospam)prodigy.net wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I'm looking for owner reviews of the Honda Pilot, as I'm considering
>buying one of the new 2004's. I'm comparing to Highlanders, Tauregs,
>and 4Runners...

Toureg's are a different animal altogether and compete more with the
Acura MDX (a warmed over Pilot) both in price and execution. It also
just won Motor Trends SUV of the year. The 4-Runner is basically a
truck and similar to Honda carries about a 15% price just for the
badge alone. It jumped upmarket this year in price and in size so
it's not really in that group.

The three that fit the target you seem to be aiming at is the Toyota
Highlander, the Honda Pilot, and the Mitsubishi Endeavor. All of them
are based on car platforms, have similar amenities, etc. Motor Trend
and another magazine (automobile?) did a shootout not that long ago
with a few SUV's where the Endeavor came in 2nd behind the Murano
(Nissan), ahead of the BMW X-5 and WAY ahead of the Highlander. The
Pilot? Honda evidently withdrew from both tests when they learned who
they were competing against... Hmmmmm.... The Murano won based on the
new tech though the editors all listed that if you needed the space
(the Murry was the smallest by far) that it would have been 4th.

If you are serious about the market you'd do well to visit the three
dealerships and take all three out for an extended drive (preferably
overnight) and see how each fits what you are looking for.

Good luck and enjoy.