The word is out that the 2011 Honda Pilot is not much different than the 2010 Honda Pilot. Many rate it as a carryover from last year’s model. Reviews can make or break a product, but a consumer must make up their own minds. However, when a certain key feature or complaint comes up continuously there may be cause for concern if one plans on purchasing that particular item.

First let’s begin with the pros. Upon first glimpsing the 2011 Honda Pilot it seems the perfect family vehicle. There’s lot of room for kids and storage, it supposedly rates excellent in crash scores plus it’s protected by Honda’s genuine reputation for dependability. The ride is pleasant, there’s adequate third-row seat space and smart inside storage features. Only minor changes from its predecessor. The 2011 Honda Pilot has been put in the minivan alternative category, along with the conventional Pilot qualities such as a comfortable ride, a no-fuss power train and elective four-wheel drive are also in the Honda 2011 Pilot model.

The 2011 Honda Pilot only has minimal adjustments in two features; navigation is currently an alternative on EX-L models and an in the back DVD entertainment system is included on the uppermost Touring trim. The 2011 Honda Pilot may ignite many consumers’ curiosity, but once the fuse has been lit the spark goes out pretty quickly. There seems to be a bit of trouble in Honda paradise. We’ve mentioned the pros, so it’s only fair to give the cons a fair shake. One of the most notorious complaints about the 2011 Honda Pilot is that it’s noisy. There’s nothing worse than cruising down the highway in a noisy “new” jalopy that begins to fall apart at the seams too. It has been reported that the 2011 Honda Pilot is riddled with cheap plastic and poor workmanship. For instance the shifter is in a very odd location, the transmission is on 5-speed where most of the 2011 Honda Pilot’s competitor vehicles are 6-speed. It’s also been noted that this year’s Honda Pilot doesn’t accelerate well and only gets 15-17 MPG not much different from the 2010 model. To sum up the most prevalent negatives the 2011 Honda Pilot has weak brake functioning, sluggish speed increase and so-so fuel savings. If these liabilities were separate incidences it would be defensible, but altogether it’s almost like a conspiracy. Maybe when this Honda model was being put together one of their competitors snuck in to rig the final product?

All in all the 2011 Honda Pilot is an o.k. selection for a midsize or large crossover SUV. More clever consumers may turn the other cheek once they test-drive the competition though. Outside of the crash safety scores and family-friendly appeal, this Honda comes up short.