2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Honda Pilot

I didn't laugh, I barfed when I saw this.
 
Just when I thought Honda could design a decent looking car after seeing the Accord, they bring out this monstrosity, which is uglier than the Civic and CR-V combined.

The body paneling is...ok. That grille better not make it to production, though.

LOL. What makes me laugh is the headlights. Looks like something from the Beetle.

that looks terrible.

Like everyone else, I'm not wild about the front styling. I do like that it remains boxy, as that has real-world practical ramifications.

Baltimore ,MD ........ This fish looking thing will not make it to production.

Seattle WA United States of America
  
The pictures here on this blog make it look goofy. The grill is a bit much, but if you go to the Honda site, it looks much better. This SUV will definitely cater to those looking for a more truck-like SUV that doesn't drive like a truck. I also hear that Honda might introduce a more swoopy stylish 6-7 passenger SUV for people who are turned off by boxy truck-like SUVs and prefer more stylish ones a la the Mazda CX-9. No matter what, it is going to sell because it is a Honda. Everyone blasted the CR-V because of its quirky styling, and yet it is praised from establishments like Car and Driver and Consumer Reports. As I recall, it is also the #1 selling SUV in America. You can't blame Honda for trying to inject unique styling into their cars.

Oh god this is awful!
It's like a total nerd with swirly confused glasses!
 
Only a total stereotyped book nerd would ever be proudly seen in this nerd car!
 
This is an abomination!
Look at that last picture, where the nerd daddy with his glasses is so very proud of his nerd child!
"mm, mm I approve! Son you will do well in the mathputer olympics."

Haha, nice description billt9. It looks like some nerd's been on his computer for too long and is now all wide eyed or something.
 
As for it being boxy, I dont think that's something to be proud of. The CX-9 and the GM Lambdas arent boxy, but are really spacious. Sure the Pilot can haul cargo but does it have to look so fugly?

I am a little disappointed too. The first place I did see it unveiled is on the Honda site then I came here for more details and reactions.
  
I guess I expected more because of the hype. Hopefully, it's performance will be what the hype is all about because the appearance is not something I'd rave about.

The CX-9 and the GM Lambdas arent boxy, but are really spacious.
 
And I bet they're much longer than the Pilot too, as that's the only way they'll get that extra room. Sorry, but I prefer shorter and boxy. It's much easier to maneuver and parallel park.

wow. unless the production model looks better, i will end up with the new highlander.

Honda are you f**in' serious??? Step your game up!!! This is the ugliest thing I've ever seen outta the Honda camp. I'm a fellow car design enthusiast and I understand trying unexpected new ideas, but c'mon!!! Please scrap this! I'm mean, you scrapped the HSC concept, and that was perfect!!! Honda better walk away from this one. I'm not a domestic lover either, I hate 'em, I love imports. But I gotta give credit where credit is due (2008 Chevy Malibu...HOT DESIGN) and sh!t where sh!t's due (Honda Pilot Prototype...NOT design!!!) Fugly as hell!

DISAPPOINTING...if the production version looks anything like this. I actually considered waiting for this since it might have a diesel engine. After seeing this, I'll keep waiting ...hopefully for the Hummer HX diesel!!!

rsholland,
The CX-9 and Lambdas are indeed longer, but that also means they're BIGGER than the Pilot inside.
 
2008 Pilot: 188", 87.6 cu ft behind 1st row.
CX-9: 199.8", 100.7 cu ft behind 1st row.
Outlook: 201.1", 116.9 cu ft behind 1st row.
 
So you like the MIDSIZED SUV that the Pilot, Murano, Highlander are.
 
The fullsized crossovers are for someone else, but they are bigger inside and out, and have a higher starting price.

DISAPPOINTING...if the production version looks anything like this. I actually considered waiting for this since it might have a diesel engine. After seeing this, I'll keep waiting ...hopefully for the Hummer HX diesel!!!

This thing is scary ugly,those eyes keep following me ,blink one eye and i swear those eyes blink with me,i think i'll sleep with the lights on tonight thank you.

The side profile and the rear is acceptable but the front end certainly needs work. It comes accross as "happy". Honda this is a SUV not a Neon.

okay, i don't think i need to really add much more to this flame-fest since everything i was going to say has already been said. (probably in a much nicer way too). Honda: where are you hiring your designers from!?! first, the partial rip-off from the FJ Cruiser headlamps isn't flattering. second, did you think designers from maytag, frigidaire, or whirlpool would honestly make good automotive stylists???

I read that Honda was going to redesign the pilot from its current boxy shape, saw the drawing or sketch for the past week on the honda website and I really was looking forward to see something not exactly like the mdx but with a similar shape and appeal...now I see a picture of what could possibily be the new pilot...yikes...I really hope honda changes the design once they read all these entries and really us serious, otherwise you may be able to get a really good deal on a really uglier pilot.

I just gained a new appreciation for the 2008 Highlander. And even if I didn't particularly like the new Murano's headlight/grille treatment, I'm warming up to it. But this? This is awful.

Wow am I disappointed. I was hoping for a more streamlined look like the MDX but at a cheaper MSRP and gas price. This reminds me of a boxy Jeep Liberty. Ugh.

I'm left wondering what happened. I read all the hype and was hoping for more aggressive styling cues like the MDX but with the lower MSRP of the Honda. I have been anticipating these pictures for weeks. I drive an 06 Odyssey right now and love it but the style is just not me. Very functional though. So I figured I'd trade in for the new Pilot. (more me). Then this morning I woke and saw this. It almost looks like the old Isuzu Trooper. The one that Acura borrowed and rebadged until they had their own SUV. Why so boxy? Where's the aggressive styling? From the front shot, you see slight cues of the MDX with the bulging wheel wells but that's about it. The interior dash looks good but the outside is so... blah.
I can't tell by all the writing I've found if this is the model we'll see produced or a prototype. Can someone in the auto press world give us the real scoop? Is this it or is Honda gonna wow us when these puppies roll off the production line in Alabama? Please, for heaven's sake, surprise us. At this point, I might as well just keep my Odyssey. Tons of room (I can fit 4x8 sheets of plywood in there and 5 mountain bikes with all wheels on). Great technology. (both the NAV and DVD at the same time). Great power (not an S2000 but no slug). Refined drive but it's just a mini van (driving it due to divorce so please stop laughing). But if I hit the lottery, I can look at the MDX.

I guess I will be buying a GM Lambda. Was hoping to love the new Pilot because of the sketch pictures.

Having driven hondas for the last 20 plus years (an 87 integra and a 97 crv), and needing a bigger suv in the next couple years to get my kids back and forth to college, I have been hoping that the pilot would be decent-looking so I could buy one when my crv is ready to go. I was excited by the sketch photos, but if the pilot looks anything like the prototype I will not be buying another honda. This thing is as ugly as they come. Very disappointing. Not even close to the sketch, and worse than the box on the road now. I will have to give Mazda and GMC a hard look, as they are much more attractive. Even the nondescript Highlander is better than this ugly.

I liked he sketches too, but I don't like the prototype at all. I like the boxy SUV looks in general, but this is Nitro/Liberty boxy which is too much on the Pilot.
On another hand, in general, people don't buy Hondas on looks and performance and the CRV is the best example; people buy them on perceived quality, fuel economy and resale value that are associated with the Honda badge.
The bottom line is that Honda can put their badge on any car and it will sell in good numbers and will get good reviews, which is a shame but also a reality.

Quotes from around the office.
 
"Oh god, that can't be right."
 
"Oh dear no. That's awful."
 
"The headlights look like the eyes of an anime Japanese seisure-inducing robot."
 
"After the MDX, Honda's just intent on uglifying all their grills."
 
"Uhhh."

LOL... I like this one:
 
"The headlights look like the eyes of an anime Japanese seisure-inducing robot."

Boy, oh boy. I hope that face doesn't make production.
 
Looks like a wall-eyed Anime character.
 
The rest looks OK, so tone down the front and it will actually come out OK for production.

Honda... if you are paying attention then scrap this ugly design... the MDX is bad enough but this goes overboard...

An Element on steroids meets the bastard child of a Pathfinder and Commander soiree...I just hope it looks better in 3D...or I'll have to hang on to my 2004 Pilot EX-L with 90,000 miles on it...or go to Toyota.com and build/price a new Highlander...

Honda must be in trouble. Isn't there anybody in the company who stood up during the development process and indicated this is one ugly car. What type of kool-aid is in the company cooler. Did the stooge who wrote the pre-press release see the actual car. Man, what a build up, what a BS description and what an ultimate bomb. I am excited this car has knee room in the third seat. Great, I'm proud Let's make a car for the third class passengers not the driver. Wow!

I'm sorry I'm back. I realized what is the problem is for me. It reminds me of a Chryler K car. Did Honda get the Commander molds cheap?

I realize I'm being the boring family guy, but they are making a huge mistake not to offer 2 bucket-type seats as an option in place of the second row 60/40 split bench. Our friends have the Saturn Outlook crossover SUV (like the GMC Acadia ) and it is so much easier to get people in the 3rd row when you have two carseats occupying the 2nd row buckets and a pass through lane in the middle. Someone needs to point this out to Honda.

Oh, so plain. Oh, so bland. Sadly, oh, so Honda. That front end needs work!

just purchased 04 pilot for half the money of a new one...glad i did...couldnt live with another box for all that money

This new Honda Pilot is so damn UGLY I can't believe it! This vehicle looks like it was designed in Russia and not by Honda.
 
Honda introducing something this repulsive must mean the end of the world in at hand. What are they thinking (or in this case not)?

EWWW. THAT IS THE UGLIEST CAR I HAVE EVER SEEN!! THE REAR 3/4 VIEW IS BLEECCH....

I gotta pipe up on this, too, that to my eyes the front end is hideous. I am don't have such a problem with the profile, but, overall, I hope that have some serious tweaks in store before the production version rolls out.

I dont have a problem with the rear or the side as its no more boxier than most Jeeps but the front grill and lights HAVE TO GO!

Dear Honda,
  
I have been a loyal Honda owner now for about 11 of your vehicles, starting when I was 21 years old - I am now 47. I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey and have been waiting for Honda to come out with the new Pilot, which has taken 1 year longer than the normal 5 years of a Honda body style. I have been very patient thinking Honda must have something awesome for us Honda junkies. I was even more encouraged with the drawing of the Pilot. But after seeing the prototype, I hope this isn't the vehicle I've held out for. If so, I will not be buying one. This is the ugliest vehicle I have seen, it appears Honda is taking a step back building this one. I have brochures and have taken a test drive in the Toyota Highlander (Very Nice), the BMW X5 (Exceptional), the Acura MDX (Expensive Honda)and the Hyundai Veracruz (Very Nice). HONDA, LISTEN TO YOUR CUSTOMERS (LONG TIME CUSTOMERS) YOU HAVE JUST TAKEN YOURSELF OUT OF THE RUNNING WITH THIS ONE - IT IS JUST SIMPLY UGLY. DID YOU GUYS USE ALL YOUR CREATIVE GENIUS ON THE NEW ACCORD & LAST YEARS CRV (OF WHICH I PURCHASED FOR MY WIFE - SHE LOVES IT. I SHOWED THE PILOT TO HER AND SHE TO WONDERS WHAT HAPPENED.
GIVE IT SOME STYLE, SOME CURVES, NOT JUST A BOX LOOK.
  
A CONCERNED HONDA CUSTOMER.
HOPEFULLY NOT AN EX HONDA CLIENT.
CHANGE THE DESIGN BEFORE IT'S TO LATE.
UGLY UGLY UGLY HONDA IS CAPABLE OF BETTER.
  
GET BACK TO WORK.