Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #70 - Mazda MX-5 and CX-3; Honda Pilot _ Consumer Reports

**The Honda Pilot: A Compelling Alternative to the Toyota Highlander**

Bill Steen shocked us with his review of the pilot, stating that it still has some work to do on its Body Rolls, but overall, it's an impressive vehicle. The Pilot is a minivan for people who won't buy an Odyssey, which is a lot of people. It's a great option for those looking for a practical and comfortable ride.

One of the most notable features of the Pilot is its interior space. Steen felt that it had more headroom than his own MDX, which is a high-end SUV. He also appreciated the good cow height and visibility while driving. The Pilot promises to be better in terms of safety performance, particularly in small overlap tests.

Honda's latest offering comes with a raft of safety gear as an option, including Forward Collision warning, Lane Departure warning, and standard Blind Spot Monitoring and Rearview Camera. This puts Honda at an advantage over the Toyota Highlander, which forces buyers to opt for Limited trim or Hybrid model to access these features.

The pricing structure will be interesting to watch, particularly if Toyota drops prices to compete with the Pilot's starting point of $39,000. However, the Highlander does have some advantages, such as its powerful V6 engine and more aggressive exterior design. Steen noted that the Pilot's infotainment system and ability control are notable features, but it will be interesting to see what the next big upgrade is.

As with any new vehicle, it's difficult to predict exactly how it will perform in real-world testing. However, the Pilot has certainly made a compelling argument for itself as an alternative to the Highlander. With its spacious interior, impressive safety features, and affordable starting point, it's definitely worth considering for those looking for a practical and comfortable ride.

**Comparison to Other Models**

The Traverse is another model that will be worth watching in this segment. Steen noted that it looks old and may become outdated soon. On the other hand, the Santa Fe is a nice car that has been updated and refreshed recently. It's clear that Honda has made some great strides with their latest offering, but it remains to be seen how it stacks up against its competitors.

**Conclusion**

The Honda Pilot is an impressive vehicle that offers a lot of value for those looking for a practical and comfortable ride. With its spacious interior, impressive safety features, and affordable starting point, it's definitely worth considering as an alternative to the Toyota Highlander. As with any new vehicle, there are always variables to consider, but the Pilot has made a compelling argument for itself as a top contender in this segment.