‘I’m considering a Honda Pilot. What are my other options?’
The Car Doc says you "certainly can’t go wrong" with a Pilot, but lists some other options.
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I read your column all the time and wanted your expert advice. I have a Honda CR-V and love everything about it (low maintenance, good snow performance, and decent fuel economy). However, my wife and I are expecting our second child. I sit with the front seat all the way back, so putting two car seats in is going to be tough. So my question is, do I automatically go to the Honda Pilot or are there some other brands I should consider? I love Honda, and this has been a great vehicle, but I would consider other options.
A: You certainly can’t go wrong with the Honda Pilot. It has great interior space and works well in the snow but is not as fuel efficient as the CR-V. The Honda Pilot won the official winter vehicle of New England from the New England Motor Press Association. For something a little different, there is the Hyundai Santa Fe. It is a three-row SUV and certainly worth a look. There are also minivans. One possibility is the Toyota Sienna, the only one with all-wheel-drive, an option that makes it competitive with SUVs. The other is the Chrysler Pacifica. Although it does not have all-wheel-drive, it is available as a plug-in hybrid, which makes it a standout in the minivan category and an intelligent choice.
John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, answers questions from drivers every week. He has 40+ years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE certified master technician.
