The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt: A Very Competent...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Honda Pilot Review

August 19, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

is beginning to feel a bit dated
Car and Driver

a clean look
Cars.com

This one manages not to look like a minivan
Edmunds

In a world where so many bland SUVs look alike, the bland 2008 Honda Pilot looks an awful lot like a lot of other bland SUVs.

The Pilot has changed little since its 2003 introduction, save for a slight nose job in 2006. Cars.com points out “despite some headlight and grille changes for 2006, the overall appearance is practically the same as when the model made its debut.” They add the 2008 Pilot, which uses only "modest bodyside cladding," offers "a clean look." Its "hood slopes down to a wide grille flanked by wraparound headlights," and all trims "now have body-colored bumpers, bodyside moldings, door handles and side mirrors." Edmunds says “this one manages not to look like a minivan,” but adds that the Pilot is “starting to look its age.” Automobile remarks “its appearance (styling would be too strong a word) lacks character.” Mother Proof observes “while there are no sharp, boxy edges, it’s not all soft and curvy, either. It looks competent and useful, which is how a car should be.” Car and Driver sums it up when it calls the look “anonymous.”

The inside decoration isn't quite so yawn-inducing, and the layout is practical, flexible, and logical. Edmunds feels “the design is getting long in the tooth and looks dated compared to newer crossovers,” though. Cars.com agrees, saying, “The Pilot's need of updating is evident in its interior. Though respectable, the materials aren't as rich as those of some fresher competitors.” Despite those concerns, all the switches, dials, and indicators work with precision and a tactile satisfaction. The column-mounted shift lever can get silly at times (it's easy to pull it down too far, and in Low, it knocks some drivers' knees), but other than that, any criticism of the Honda Pilot’s interior is more nitpick than harsh criticism.

Conclusion

Though the overall design feels dated, the 2008 Honda Pilot's still a clean-looking crossover that has just enough SUV in its shape to be interesting.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:is beginning to feel a bit datedCar and Drivera clean lookCars.comThis one manages not to look like a minivanEdmunds In a world where so many bland SUVs look alike, the bland 2008 Honda Pilot looks an awful lot like a lot of other bland SUVs. The Pilot has changed little since its 2003 introduction, save for a slight nose job in 2006. Cars.com points out “despite some headlight and grille changes for 2006, the overall appearance is practically the same as when the model made its debut.” They add the 2008 Pilot, which uses only "modest bodyside cladding," offers "a clean look." Its "hood slopes down to a wide grille flanked by wraparound headlights," and all trims "now have body-colored bumpers, bodyside moldings, door handles and side mirrors." Edmunds says “this one manages not to look like a minivan,” but adds that the Pilot is “starting to look its age.” Automobile remarks “its appearance (styling would be too strong a word) lacks character.” Mother Proof observes “while there are no sharp, boxy edges, it’s not all soft and curvy, either. It looks competent and useful, which is how a car should be.” Car and Driver sums it up when it calls the look “anonymous.” The inside decoration isn't quite so yawn-inducing, and the layout is practical, flexible, and logical. Edmunds feels “the design is getting long in the tooth and looks dated compared to newer crossovers,” though. Cars.com agrees, saying, “The Pilot's need of updating is evident in its interior. Though respectable, the materials aren't as rich as those of some fresher competitors.” Despite those concerns, all the switches, dials, and indicators work with precision and a tactile satisfaction. The column-mounted shift lever can get silly at times (it's easy to pull it down too far, and in Low, it knocks some drivers' knees), but other than that, any criticism of the Honda Pilot’s interior is more nitpick than harsh criticism. ConclusionThough the overall design feels dated, the 2008 Honda Pilot's still a clean-looking crossover that has just enough SUV in its shape to be interesting.  2008 HONDA PILOT STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "is beginning to feel a bit dated" Cars.com: "a clean look" Edmunds: “This one manages not to look like a minivan” In a world where so many bland SUVs look alike, the bland 2008 Honda Pilot looks an awful lot like a lot of ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The three-row 2008 Honda Pilot has some new competition for the 2009 model year. The Mazda CX-9 is the North American Truck of the Year, and it has sleek lines to go with carlike handling and a third-row seat. The Chevrolet Traverse is mechanically like its GM siblings--the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, and Buick Enclave--but it's the value-oriented version of the big GM crossover and has a Malibu-like interior. The 2009 Ford Flex is the wild card in the group; it's a big seven-seater with a shape like a stretched MINI Cooper, along with a big, roomy interior and V-6 power.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Honda Pilot

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Honda Pilot

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Honda Pilot near you

See the Honda Pilot in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy