Hello everyone -

Short Story - Main questions:
1) Braking distance: Per Edmunds braking distances on Pilots dropped approx. 30ft between 2011 and 2012, taking performance from not acceptable to acceptable. Any idea what caused this - simple tire/brake pad change? Or something more significant like rotor or caliper upgrade?
2) Reliability: Any other key issues that should sway me one way or the other between 2011-2012?

Longer story..........
- I'm fine with the looks of both versions. I think I prefer the 2011 grille and the 2012 console so call it a wash.
- I'm looking at EX-L AWD models so 2011's should have the better sound deadening anyway. I do like that the 2012's have Bluetooth standard.
- The minor mileage improvement for the 2012's would be nice, but isn't a dealbreaker.
- I intend to tow my track car plus equipment (est. max 4000lbs total) so yeah that's why I'm kind of hung up on braking performance. I have been using my wife's minivan for towing which is only rated 3000lbs so stepping up to the Pilot's 4500lbs would be great.
- I like the utilitarian size/space layout of the Pilot. We don't have a ton of room at the house and I like that the dimensions of the Pilot are a little more tidy than the Ford Flex, Mazda CX-9, GMC Acadia (all about 9" longer). In addition to the two kids my wife sometimes has to take her parents out of assisted living so 3rd row seating is needed.
- For other options, I kind of liked the Flex except for the size but my wife absolutely hates the looks and has veto'd it. Thought about an Acura MDX as I've heard they drive better than the Pilot but that's +$5k or something like that. An Odyssey has been suggested; we have loved the minivan usefulness of our MPV but now that the kids are getting older I think we want to get away from the minivan thing....
- My wife will keep driving the MPV for a little longer, but this will take it out of tow duty and hopefully extend it's life. I will be parting with my 2010 Subaru Legacy GT so it's going to be a little rough - going from a sport sedan to an SUV...I put 300 miles on a rental CX-9 for work recently and was ok with it, hoping I'm ok with the Pilot too...

Thx for any feedback!
- Mark

 

The Pilot switched standard tires from '11 to '12. I believe this has some impact on gas mileage and braking performance as they went from a more "off road" tire to a more "touring" type of tire.

Do you have trailer brakes? If so, then braking performance should not be a deal-breaker either way. You can always upgrade the OEM pads.

Just be ready for gas mileage anywhere from 18-22 though. That's about the only knock I have on the Pilot, but it's about standard for the type of vehicle it is.