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Hi,
Thought I'd start a new thread to share my (and wife's) thoughts about our drives yesterday in both the '16 Pilot and '15 Durango
Pilot:
We were looking to drive a Touring (second from the "top of the line) but they did not have on in stock, so we drove the EX-L.
The interior is fine; standard Honda fare. We liked the center bin between the seats, but it is not an arm rest - instead each front seat has a thin ratcheting arm rest. There are *many* buttons on the steering wheel to control various functions, to the point where I think we'd need to be looking down to see what we're pressing. Maybe, maybe not. The standard leather seating surfaces were fairly soft, unlike the hard plastic trim that covered both the doors and third row arm rests. I mean, hard.
The new center panel - a horror show. I can't believe they put this in the car. There are no knobs, only a highly reflective glossy surface. So, for example, to turn the volume on the radio up, you drag your finger up. It is more of a fingerprint magnet than any mobile phone I've ever used, and is far less intuitive than the much-maligned idrive in my BMW. A near deal-breaker for both of us. Oh - there is only a digital speedometer display for the driver.
The driving experience is competent. The engine is sufficient and makes nice noises. The steering is light and mostly non-communicative. The brakes are responsive. The suspension is adequate, but transmits more road imperfections into the cabin - especially the second row - than expected. Wind noise at highway speed is noticeable, but the Touring and Elite have laminated windows that should reduce it.
Honda claims three can fit in the third row, I'm not buying what they're selling.
The exterior design is basic, intended to offend the fewest buyers possible, and makes the vehicle nearly indistinguishable from a CRV or Odyssey.
Durango:
We drove an SXT and Limited with Rallye packages, and an R/T with the Blacktop package.
We found the interior to be very comfortable. For the size of the center tunnel and with a rotary shifter it seems like there should be even more storage space. We found we prefer all leather surfaces over the suede inserts of the SXT with Rallye package. The Rallye package - which I prefer, along with the blacktop - seem to require a black interior, resulting in a bit of a sober, business-like experience. It would be nice if they could have broken up the dash a bit more with some contrasting colors and textures. The R/T contrast stitching really helps break it up a bit (and I'm sure the Redline would).
Unlike the Honda center screen, we found the Dodge version to be very well implemented. It's at a better angle with a matte finish, so no glare, no fingerprints. The menu quickly responds to touch, and the dedicated, simple controls for radio and HVAC are as they should be. The driver's gauge cluster is its equal - just super.
The driving experience in the vehicles equipped with V6, standard suspension, and 20" rims was far better than I ever expected. Quiet, confident, responsive while muting most road imperfections. Just a super set-up. The six cylinder with the 8 speed moves the D along quite smartly. Negligible wind noise at 65MPH.
The driving experience in the R/T was... surprising. The V8 and exhaust makes great noises, but didn't seem *that* much "faster" than the V6 - I'm probably way off base on this.
As for the suspension, I was shocked to find that I didn't like it, as it felt somewhat nervous - to me - over minor road imperfections that the standard suspension did not transmit to the cabin. As a reminder, I drive a 530xi, so I prefer a firm, "sporty" ride. Maybe it was just this one R/T, but unfortunately - I was pretty into it - the suspension seems like it's not for us.
The exterior design is clean, yet interesting. While it certainly reflects the Dodge corporate design, it doesn't look like other vehicles in their product line. It looks like a Durango.
All in all, the Durango is the next vehicle for us. After driving an '88 Taurus SHO, I swore I'd never buy another American-made vehicle, but here we are.
We could go with either the six or eight cylinder engine - seems to be a difference of about $12 per tank fill, which we can swing. We'd like the Limited with Blacktop or Rallye along with the Beats premium group - I'd really prefer a Citadel for the vented seats, but it doesn't seem to be available with the blacktop or rallye packs.
Opinions are like you-know-whats; everyone's got one. None of the above are intended to offend anyone who feels differently; it's all good!
Apologies in advance for the lengthy post - no one made you read it
Thought I'd start a new thread to share my (and wife's) thoughts about our drives yesterday in both the '16 Pilot and '15 Durango
Pilot:
We were looking to drive a Touring (second from the "top of the line) but they did not have on in stock, so we drove the EX-L.
The interior is fine; standard Honda fare. We liked the center bin between the seats, but it is not an arm rest - instead each front seat has a thin ratcheting arm rest. There are *many* buttons on the steering wheel to control various functions, to the point where I think we'd need to be looking down to see what we're pressing. Maybe, maybe not. The standard leather seating surfaces were fairly soft, unlike the hard plastic trim that covered both the doors and third row arm rests. I mean, hard.
The new center panel - a horror show. I can't believe they put this in the car. There are no knobs, only a highly reflective glossy surface. So, for example, to turn the volume on the radio up, you drag your finger up. It is more of a fingerprint magnet than any mobile phone I've ever used, and is far less intuitive than the much-maligned idrive in my BMW. A near deal-breaker for both of us. Oh - there is only a digital speedometer display for the driver.
The driving experience is competent. The engine is sufficient and makes nice noises. The steering is light and mostly non-communicative. The brakes are responsive. The suspension is adequate, but transmits more road imperfections into the cabin - especially the second row - than expected. Wind noise at highway speed is noticeable, but the Touring and Elite have laminated windows that should reduce it.
Honda claims three can fit in the third row, I'm not buying what they're selling.
The exterior design is basic, intended to offend the fewest buyers possible, and makes the vehicle nearly indistinguishable from a CRV or Odyssey.
Durango:
We drove an SXT and Limited with Rallye packages, and an R/T with the Blacktop package.
We found the interior to be very comfortable. For the size of the center tunnel and with a rotary shifter it seems like there should be even more storage space. We found we prefer all leather surfaces over the suede inserts of the SXT with Rallye package. The Rallye package - which I prefer, along with the blacktop - seem to require a black interior, resulting in a bit of a sober, business-like experience. It would be nice if they could have broken up the dash a bit more with some contrasting colors and textures. The R/T contrast stitching really helps break it up a bit (and I'm sure the Redline would).
Unlike the Honda center screen, we found the Dodge version to be very well implemented. It's at a better angle with a matte finish, so no glare, no fingerprints. The menu quickly responds to touch, and the dedicated, simple controls for radio and HVAC are as they should be. The driver's gauge cluster is its equal - just super.
The driving experience in the vehicles equipped with V6, standard suspension, and 20" rims was far better than I ever expected. Quiet, confident, responsive while muting most road imperfections. Just a super set-up. The six cylinder with the 8 speed moves the D along quite smartly. Negligible wind noise at 65MPH.
The driving experience in the R/T was... surprising. The V8 and exhaust makes great noises, but didn't seem *that* much "faster" than the V6 - I'm probably way off base on this.
As for the suspension, I was shocked to find that I didn't like it, as it felt somewhat nervous - to me - over minor road imperfections that the standard suspension did not transmit to the cabin. As a reminder, I drive a 530xi, so I prefer a firm, "sporty" ride. Maybe it was just this one R/T, but unfortunately - I was pretty into it - the suspension seems like it's not for us.
The exterior design is clean, yet interesting. While it certainly reflects the Dodge corporate design, it doesn't look like other vehicles in their product line. It looks like a Durango.
All in all, the Durango is the next vehicle for us. After driving an '88 Taurus SHO, I swore I'd never buy another American-made vehicle, but here we are.
We could go with either the six or eight cylinder engine - seems to be a difference of about $12 per tank fill, which we can swing. We'd like the Limited with Blacktop or Rallye along with the Beats premium group - I'd really prefer a Citadel for the vented seats, but it doesn't seem to be available with the blacktop or rallye packs.
Opinions are like you-know-whats; everyone's got one. None of the above are intended to offend anyone who feels differently; it's all good!
Apologies in advance for the lengthy post - no one made you read it
