Roman! It helps to have a brand rep do a good walk around when doing these to be kore accurate. For example, the 2nd row in a Traverse slides fore and aft to accommodate for height. Not exactly tight when you know that little detail.
All great vehicles ! And I love the detailed review/ insights / opinions you guys mention . What I don't understand is , if the company puts 3 rows / 7-8 seats , why don't they make the vehicle slightly bigger to accommodate luggage for 7-8.
Roman was wrong on tye towing capacity of the explorer. 3.5l can tow 5000lbs. The 2.0l ecoboost can only tow 2000lbs. However the new 2.3l ecoboost in the 2016 can tow 5000lbs also.
Over the weekend I compared the 2016 Pilot with the 2016 Highlander, the one thing that stops me from choosing the Honda is having to deal with timing belt replacement at ~100k miles (depends which mechanic does the replacement work, but so far between myself and a numbers of Honda friends, NONE HAD ZERO ISSUE after a timing & water pump replacement, let alone costs about $1000...). Based on that, No Honda vehicle in my garage (also the reason for not getting the 2017 Redigeline).
lol it’s not. The interior felt like a hospital waiting room and it rides the worst of all of them. The Honda drive like a sport coup and felt great on bad roads aswell. I drove all of these. Bought the Honda.
@@jeremyhuntington1 You're right. I don't know what reviewers are feeling sometimes. The Pilot is far more social on the road... handles better, accelerates better, has more manners in transition etc.
That's not the brand new Explorer. The 2016 Explorer that Roman just tested a few days ago is the brand new Explorer. The 2015 Explorer has been basically unchanged since 2011.
SOCAL3800 To be more clear, my point was not that they wrongly stated the year of the Explorer, no. My point was that the 2015 Explorer is not brand new. It's an old vehicle, almost 5 years old now.
mana1111 I know that you fucking dumb fuck! I wasn't referring to whether or not anyone has owned it, I was referring to the design and the amount of time that it's gone without a refresh. It's common for car reviewers to deem a car "old", even if it is, in fact, a brand new car.
I agree that it looks a bit soft, but, trust me, I own a 2017 and it is pretty robust in performance. It has some offroad capabilities and it's excellent in the snow.
It looks like a 17 year old design to me. Very boring, boxy and bland. Up until today, I thought the current model was still the '15 design, so I scratched it off of my list. Hell, my 2006 Dodge Caravan looks better than the old Pilot. The new Pilot looks so much better!
Do you have a 2017 2018 2019 update for these vehicles. Trying to find the best of cargo gas mileage second row seating cargo space and nothing below 5,000 lb towing
I would like to see a match up of family vehicles capable of hauling six people and their luggage over a long weekend . That's the vehicle I'd like to see .
Having just bought a Pathfinder, the trunk storage does have a big under floor area. You didn't use it on the Pathfinder, but you did use it on some other vehicles, so it wasn't a good comparison to the others.
Great video! One comment about your seating room problem in the second row of the Traverse. We have an Acadia (the GMC version) and those seats slide backwards and forwards. I'm willing to bet it was all the way forward which is why you fit poorly in the second row and wonderfully in the 3rd. Also, those seats are NOT all that intuitive to use so I'm not at all surprised it didn't jump out at you. Also, the engine in the Traverse is GM's LLT which is the older version of the LFX they put in the Colorado. I honestly don't know how different the two are but enough that GM gave them different RPO codes.
I think the best competitors that shine were in this order imo: 1. Toyota Highlander 2. New Honda Pilot 3. Nissan Pathfinder 4. Ford Explorer 5. 2015 Honda Pilot 6. Chevy Traverse Sorry but the old pilot is actually pretty good in some areas compared to that traverse. And in some cases I would put Ford third than Nissan, just because of that CVT.
incredible how these guys change criteria when they change cars. the difference of narrative and impressions when leaving the GM and entering toyota is clear. personally I pay more attention to the narrative than to the car itself. I also look at the movements of the head and the apparent space around the body of the narrator. ..the rest are concepts and prejudices.
Domestic brands like Ford but ESPECIALLY Chevy need to come in cheaper than their counterparts from Honda/Toyota etc. The idea that someone would pay more for a Explorer than they would for a Highlander is crazy.
Great reviews!! My wife and I are looking at the 2016 Honda Pilots. Found one that’s in our price range and the right color. Problem is…I’m 6’5”. Would I fit in a 2016 Honda Pilot, comfortably?
Well tbh the Traverse is a older design just like the Explorer. The Explorer will never be king like it was in the 90s so with that said I would STILL take the Traverse even though it "sucks".
Why is this called a "Mash up"? Roman always told us that name was for cars that didn't really compete with each other. All of these do compete so shouldn't this be called a "Match up"?
How is comparing the Platinum version of the Pathfinder the same as say the XLT version of the explorer? Why not compare the Platinum vs Platinum? Is this a comparison based on price (highest trim Pathfinder vs lowest trim Explorer)? I guess I don't see it as close a match up as others.
Looks like the Highlander is still the class leader, most reliable and most fun to drive something Toyota is not usually known for they did a great job to make it fun to drive. The Explorer has the best exterior styling imo not the Pathfinder and the looks of it is in fact its strongest selling point its the only thing it does good. My second choice would be the Pilot with the Durango in 3rd place.
I never liked these comparisons since cars are provided by Honda. Some of them are not the top model, but Honda wants you to compare then to the Pilot Elite.
If you want something great to drive the Mazda CX-9 is probably the best. Power goes to the Ford. Offroad goes to the Highlander/pilot with the ground clearance. Pathfinder gets the minivan catagory with the traverse as an all arounder.
For resale value...Toyota and Honda. For brand preference, Toyota or Honda. I have a 2003 Pilot, wife beats he crap out of it and it keeps on going and...it still looks like new.
Ben Strong Funny how that works. Back before the track closed down Toyota used to sponsor a NASCAR truck series race every year at the Nashville Superspeedway, which is almost in the back lot of Nissan's Smyrna plant.
Noel Jacobs The only reason the Exploder (like the Taurus) still exists, to be honest, it's for the police trade. They don't sell that much as retail vehicles and their platform are kinda outdated. And for the same price or very little less, you can get better at the same Ford / Lincoln dealership (Flex, Edge and Lincoln MKX)
You're right. I rented a 2013 Explorer and drove across a few states and was not very impressed. Acceleration was nimble. The 2016 is packing some decent features, but I guess it's a wait and see game.
Gilles Thibault What are you talking about? Explore to the general public sells amazingly. Yes they just recently started to make a police interceptor version for police to compete with the Tahoe and yes its a rental car but who cares. The 16 has had some updates to the ECM and they retuned the trans. But the Explore with the new Sync 3 that's coming out is fantastic and the Sport and Platinum are truly amazing. That Ecoboost V6 is a true beast. So don't go around saying the only reason they still have them is for police and rentals because that's extremely false. Explorer sales in the 2014 market year went up close to 7%. It was it's best year since 2005. Close to 200,000 units sold. That doesn't include fleet sales which help the used car market after their two year run with the rental companies.
I would still take the Traverse because it's a Chevy, because it's larger than the competition yet smaller than a Tahoe, and because I still love the looks inside and out despite many comparisons test putting it last .....it would fit my needs very well..
Nissan was quite innovative about that sensing system in the Pathfinder and that is pretty cool. The Explorer I would buy with the EcoBoost. LOVE ECOBOOSTS!!!
I own the 2015 pilot, the only other one i would consider on that list would be the highlander. The 2016 pilot looks like the 2011 odyssey i just traded in.
The traverse may be good for a little bit of time, but it soon wears down in quality a lot faster than all the others. The most reliable is the highlander, and will last for many years, and so is the honda pilot (2016). I wish there were at least 7 seats for the top of the line explorers, as even the 2017 platinum still only seats 6. Please correct me if I'm wrong
Great review. Had a chance to test drive some of these vehicles and came to same conclusion. Thanks for showing us all these cars and comparing them was very helpful.
Roman should've previewed his previous Honda Pilot videos before waxing nostalgic on the outgoing model. He didn't have anything great to say 2 years ago but now he wishes Honda would've kept the design.
I like boxy styling...it's closer to the off road look I want. Something I can use for utility, camping, or hauling the family with me. I really like the Toyota 4Runner, but they want an arm and leg for those.
I own 2012 pilot touring... Thinking of trading for the new 2016 pilot. Whats your opinion on that? Is the change in new model worth the trade in your opinion?
***** That model is still based on the 4Runner, the last of the body-on-frame mohicans. TFLCar has a video with it offroading. Plush yet capable (still going to bounce you around more than the RX), yet who would take such an expensive vehicle and beat on it?
Retro Ricks I prefer a shifter too (unlike the Honda Pilot) but I don't miss keys at all because I love the push button start on my Toyota Highlander and unlocking the doors handsfree. I don't have to pull a key out of my pocket (or women have to search their purses) and no scratches around the key ignition hole because it doesn't exist.
I just wonder when K.I.S.S became a bad thing. Cars are having lots of issues because the technology is failing. A key is simple and effective and should be standard equipment even with fobs around. Brakes should never be computer controlled etc....I dunno maybe I am just a geezer.
It's nice I agree, But when the little battery dies it's not so great. Keys never fail unless they are thirty years old maybe. Dodge is having all kinds of problems because of electrical issues. Too complicated in places where it was not needed.
Wow, that was a long video. Thanks you TFL for doing this. Can we expect a midsize SUV comparison review anytime? IMO if I am spending more than 30k on SUV then I will go for the premium badges like Acura, Inifiniti, Lexus etc...
ZepG Not really. Most of the equipment considered premium in non-luxury vehicles is standard equipment in luxury badge vehicles and I can also get the luxury look for a little more.
The only vehicle they did not have is the SantaFe and the Durango I think those vehicles should have been there. In some way guys wife I think the traverse and the Durango compete better with each other than the other SUV they seem more large minivan like compared to the owners the Honda looks a little big also. Work direct injection and a 9spd auto; I would have thought the Honda would do better then the ancient 3.5 in the Nissan with no direct injection but I guess it does make a bid for power and it's not clear off the line due to the low ratios of the 9 speed automatic
It would be great if the cabin noise in the car can be recorded at 60 MPH or 80 MPH. Not sure why Honda is still shy in revealing its MPG. Also I dont like the anemic stereos honda and toyota put in their sedans. Audio lovers endup spending a grand or two for the upgrade i ended up doing the upgrade on my 2012 se accord not an SE to start with. I have Highlander 2015 xle the sound is decent but might throw in a sub in future. Reason why I took Highlander .. new pilot was not there to compare with 2015 highlander, avoided pathfinder as i was shifting from murano nissan wanted to try something new. I like the traverse interiors though.
Why did they leave out the Kia Sorento. It would think it's a direct competitor as the top load SX-L is right in the same price range as the Elite. Maybe they're afraid or perhaps they're selling too well to get hold of one?
Roman: Most people may not consider performance when buying an SUV, but most subscribers to TFL probably do. I hate CVTs as much as those journalists you mentioned. I drive an MDX with SH-AWD. If you don't check where the second row seats are in their fore/aft track, what's the point of comments on 2nd and 3rd seat leg room?
Does Dodge Durango not fit in that category? That push button for the gear shifter is going to be hard because you have to look at it all the time. In a regular gear shifter, it would be much easier.
And also when he says "let's give it the beans" then says that it's loud?! I mean I didn't know that when you gave it the beans that you'd want it to be quiet!!! I'd want mine to be loud! Lol
I saw the full video and for all vehicles you make a comment about acceleration. Kinda sad that when it comes to the Pathfinder your comment is limited to complaints about the CVT, nothing about its acceleration compared to the others. You don't like the CVT, that's fine but remain objective and provide the results/opinion of the test you are performing. 16:03 "Let's give it the beans and see how the Pathfinder does...." guess we'll never know.
Thanks for the fair comparison. It was good to see them go through all the same test to see exactly how the different models differ. Like you said it wasn't a full review since you time was limited, but I enjoyed it. The I like the way the Explorer looks, but when the SPORT came with a 50k price tag I had to pass. I ended up getting the Toyota Highlander since I like the features and space. BTW the third row seat is pretty comfy. The middle bench seats can slide forward making more room for the back yet still leave some room in the middle. You probably didn't have time to try that and I'm sure the Pilot is the same way. I thought the 2016 Pilot was suppose to have a big truck space. They were able to put a cooler back there in the promo pictures. My Highlander sure can't do that with the third row seats up :/
Not sure where he's getting his data from, but the Explorer can tow up to 5000 lbs. The FWD model with the 2.3L engince has max tow at 2000 lbs, but why would you compare a FWD model to AWD models?
Not bad but, could say that the driver's opinion is on the nissan. Honda has made a grade job even in mpg gets a higher mileage than the other. Some suggestions if you are "giving the beans to the crossovers, why not to take the time on 0-60 miles/ hour ?. When you tried to get in the cargo space. Why not to load it with thing a buyer usually takes on a daily routine?.
it sure looked like he said the HONDA 2016 was the best looking, he even pointed to it and they redubbed his voice to say Pathfinder and cut away each time he was about to say a car by name. Weird
Hi Roman , I live in snowy area so far I really like your reviews for all these SUVs. But could you please let us know which one of these little beast has maximum ground clearance?
The Pathfinder lost me with the headroom...or lack of it! I hate that they lowered the Pilot in the 2016...You bashed the 2016 Honda Pilot quite a bit and they seemed to have paid for this event!!!......That makes me believe that you were honest with all of your answers...Thanks for the review..
British imperial gallons are different than U.S. Gallons. 19 here equals about 28 in Europe . For example, the Yaris is almost 50 mpg in Europe while it is 37 mpg in the U.S. I can understand why it's confusing
awesome review roman.. i been waiting for this mashup.. and i know you guys gonna do it.. thank you so much... roman if you gonna choose on 3 suv honda toyota or nissan which one will you choose.. thanks!
The highlander shown was the AWD which is more expensive . The FWD 2015 is 43K . Plus it's the end of year so they want to get rid of them because the 16s are out which only have MINOR changes . Not worth the thousands of dollars more. Plus the highlander limited highlander has radar cruise control which is a huge feature . Plus lane departure and BSM . you can get a 15 Limited platinum highlander for 39K...
I watched the entire review and then I watched it again to be sure. When the reviewer is sticking himself into the trunks to evaluate the trunk size, why are his knees squished together and head tucked for some of the cars but, not others? In particular, while he is in the new pilot, his knees are wide apart with his hand in his lap (almost like he is sitting cross legged). Of course the rear door didn't shut!!!! I wanted an unbiased view of the car and I felt like he was expecting it to fail. He also failed to mention that some of the cars, like the explorer only have TWO seats in the back as opposed to the three seats in the Traverse, etc.
At $35~$45K price range of Mid Size SUV: If you want an Mid Size SUV that is for everyday drive + road trip = choose any of them because you can't go wrong with any. If you want an Mid Size SUV that will take you to nature (off roading) and truly do things that will last with you in memory = Jeep Grand Cherokee Trail Hawk or Toyota 4Runner TRD/Trail or Land Rover Discovery (everything listed here wouldn't qualify).
The Highlander is my 'safe' choice, and makes a good long term investment with the Hybrid version. Good MPG, good power, reliability & rock solid resale means you won't go wrong with the Toyota. The Explorer is the interesting choice. The Sport mode with the 3.5 Ecoboost V6 twin turbo would be a blast to drive & probably the most driver focused of the bunch. Would stuff start breaking down the road? Maybe, but Ford better has Sync 3 in the car first. The Pilot is the middle choice; it will likely have good reliability given the last gen car, but the 9spd is still iffy. I read somewhere the AWD system in the Pilot is much better than the POS system Honda employs in the CR-V. The interior is very well done in the latest iteration but the exterior looks like a raised Odyssey, which just screams Soccer Mom more than my liking. The Traverse just feels dated at this point & the Pathfinder design just doesn't do it for me; I still jokingly call it the 'Mallfinder' when I see one of the older more off-road worthy versions parked nearby this new model.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The only SUV I think looks good is the Range Rover & Jaguar F-pace, both of which are much more expensive. You don't buy these 3 row SUVs for aesthetics.
Agreed, Highlander first in reliability, safety, and ease to maintain and then Honda for reliability, Traverse for space and comfort and I don’t like Ford so not even going to mention it.
So it was Honda bright idea to give the 1st row more room which it didn't need, shift the 3rd row back and give you a removable / lowerable floor (which it already had but you couldn't remove or lower it and you could get dividers for it) to make up for the loss of space. It looks like the rear hatch glass is gone as well which was perfect to load behind the 3rd row if you had a bunch of crap. That 9 speed sucks in slow speed driving. Roman probably would have liked it better if it had the 8 speed (not offered) or even the 6 speed. The 6 speed is back in the space wasting console like everyone else.
The Highlander is nice but unfortunately, here in NY it's becoming a popular taxi cab along with it's Camry sibling. And THAT is a big turn off for me.
This is why I love old reviews. Looking for a used 3 row hauler, and a lot of my options are on this list. Great review in 2015, great review today!
Nowadays you can't go wrong with any of them... Comes down to personal taste
lol this didn’t age well. The Chevy turned out to be a dumpster fire.
Roman! It helps to have a brand rep do a good walk around when doing these to be kore accurate. For example, the 2nd row in a Traverse slides fore and aft to accommodate for height. Not exactly tight when you know that little detail.
Tim Monson thats true i have a 2016 ltz and the legroom is awesome in all 3 rows
Correction the Explorer with the V6 3.5 N/A can tow 5,000 - think you read the 2.0 Ecoboost amount.
We have an Explorer in the family and I love it. Has lots of room, looks great, drives great. Ford has come a long way.
All great vehicles ! And I love the detailed review/ insights / opinions you guys mention . What I don't understand is , if the company puts 3 rows / 7-8 seats , why don't they make the vehicle slightly bigger to accommodate luggage for 7-8.
Because the space is being taken up by the passengers that's why there is roof racks or hitches
Literally they have 2.6 rows, I wish it is full 3 rows
Roman was wrong on tye towing capacity of the explorer. 3.5l can tow 5000lbs. The 2.0l ecoboost can only tow 2000lbs. However the new 2.3l ecoboost in the 2016 can tow 5000lbs also.
Over the weekend I compared the 2016 Pilot with the 2016 Highlander, the one thing that stops me from choosing the Honda is having to deal with timing belt replacement at ~100k miles (depends which mechanic does the replacement work, but so far between myself and a numbers of Honda friends, NONE HAD ZERO ISSUE after a timing & water pump replacement, let alone costs about $1000...). Based on that, No Honda vehicle in my garage (also the reason for not getting the 2017 Redigeline).
Highlander for me. Best choice if you don't use the 3rd row much.
David Rudometkin Same, wit Traverse as my second option and Pilot as third.
I am not surprised that the Highlander is most fun to drive. Since it is based on the Camry, it too is grounded to the ground.
lol it’s not. The interior felt like a hospital waiting room and it rides the worst of all of them. The Honda drive like a sport coup and felt great on bad roads aswell. I drove all of these. Bought the Honda.
@@jeremyhuntington1 You're right. I don't know what reviewers are feeling sometimes. The Pilot is far more social on the road... handles better, accelerates better, has more manners in transition etc.
Thanks for the review. The 2016 Pilot definitely looks better than the previous model but it looks so much like the Odyssey Minivan.
great reviewing...very much enjoyed riding with you!!
That's not the brand new Explorer. The 2016 Explorer that Roman just tested a few days ago is the brand new Explorer. The 2015 Explorer has been basically unchanged since 2011.
Fordguy1997 If you read the description, it clearly states that the only 2016 model in the mix is the honda.
SOCAL3800 I did read the description. I was commenting on Roman's words at the beginning of the video.
SOCAL3800 To be more clear, my point was not that they wrongly stated the year of the Explorer, no. My point was that the 2015 Explorer is not brand new. It's an old vehicle, almost 5 years old now.
Fordguy1997 its a brand new car if it never had a first owner. You can still buy a brand new 2015 explorer on the lot even tho the new one is out.
mana1111 I know that you fucking dumb fuck! I wasn't referring to whether or not anyone has owned it, I was referring to the design and the amount of time that it's gone without a refresh. It's common for car reviewers to deem a car "old", even if it is, in fact, a brand new car.
the 2nd row on the Traverse is adjustable forward and aft.
Excellent reviews, still very useful 7 years later or 10 years later !!!!
I think that the 2016 Honda Pilot looks more like a van than an SUV.
I agree that it looks a bit soft, but, trust me, I own a 2017 and it is pretty robust in performance. It has some offroad capabilities and it's excellent in the snow.
Yup me too.. looks like trash
@@doylee469go drive one. It was my last pick. Lol it was the best hands down after driving them all. I left with it.
Earlier model 2015 Honda Pilot just kills it for me! Love it!
It looks like a 17 year old design to me. Very boring, boxy and bland. Up until today, I thought the current model was still the '15 design, so I scratched it off of my list. Hell, my 2006 Dodge Caravan looks better than the old Pilot. The new Pilot looks so much better!
Do you have a 2017 2018 2019 update for these vehicles. Trying to find the best of cargo gas mileage second row seating cargo space and nothing below 5,000 lb towing
Chevy wants 48k for that turd?
It's pretty much the same price for a fully loaded suv. All other fully loaded SUVs are the in the same general area.
***** but Ford makes an eco boost 365hp explorer that would have made all these cars look useless.
Craig Neal A heavy sink to the bottom of the bowl turd. Notice those ancient 1970's green gauges.
***** especially when i know that in a few short years it will be worthless
guy proulx The ALG is a 3 star.
I would like to see a match up of family vehicles capable of hauling six people and their luggage over a long weekend . That's the vehicle I'd like to see .
Having just bought a Pathfinder, the trunk storage does have a big under floor area. You didn't use it on the Pathfinder, but you did use it on some other vehicles, so it wasn't a good comparison to the others.
Hi tfl: can you do a comparison fornthe same cars but the 2017 models? And please add the mazda cx9.
19:04 That is a VERY old version you are reviewing, the 215 Honda Pilot.
Great video! One comment about your seating room problem in the second row of the Traverse. We have an Acadia (the GMC version) and those seats slide backwards and forwards. I'm willing to bet it was all the way forward which is why you fit poorly in the second row and wonderfully in the 3rd. Also, those seats are NOT all that intuitive to use so I'm not at all surprised it didn't jump out at you. Also, the engine in the Traverse is GM's LLT which is the older version of the LFX they put in the Colorado. I honestly don't know how different the two are but enough that GM gave them different RPO codes.
phbarnhart and they have plenty of powee
I think the best competitors that shine were in this order imo:
1. Toyota Highlander
2. New Honda Pilot
3. Nissan Pathfinder
4. Ford Explorer
5. 2015 Honda Pilot
6. Chevy Traverse
Sorry but the old pilot is actually pretty good in some areas compared to that traverse. And in some cases I would put Ford third than Nissan, just because of that CVT.
incredible how these guys change criteria when they change cars. the difference of narrative and impressions when leaving the GM and entering toyota is clear.
personally I pay more attention to the narrative than to the car itself. I also look at the movements of the head and the apparent space around the body of the narrator.
..the rest are concepts and prejudices.
Domestic brands like Ford but ESPECIALLY Chevy need to come in cheaper than their counterparts from Honda/Toyota etc. The idea that someone would pay more for a Explorer than they would for a Highlander is crazy.
Great reviews!!
My wife and I are looking at the 2016 Honda Pilots. Found one that’s in our price range and the right color.
Problem is…I’m 6’5”. Would I fit in a 2016 Honda Pilot, comfortably?
I like the traverse! But there is no looser here.
keri ellerbe Traverse sucks! Explorer YEAH!!!
Well tbh the Traverse is a older design just like the Explorer. The Explorer will never be king like it was in the 90s so with that said I would STILL take the Traverse even though it "sucks".
keri ellerbe Loser?
^^^ Oh yeah that's how you spell it. Lol
Jeremy Good explorer sucks
Honest review, which is very refreshing... I own a honda, but im glad he didnt give it a super positive review because Honda flew him out there...
Why didn't you use the 2016 explorer you had recently?
Dog Rule These vehicles were all provided by Honda at the press event. They wouldn't have access to the 2016 Explorer.
Dog Rule yeah and I think they make you use the vehicles provided
You know a cars quite good when roman calls it “outdated” or “long in the tooth”
Why is this called a "Mash up"? Roman always told us that name was for cars that didn't really compete with each other. All of these do compete so shouldn't this be called a "Match up"?
Yippie Great Question. It's a mashup because the car's are not the exact same year, but in all honesty this could just as easily be a matchup.
Hut
The term mash up wasn't invented recently to describe a type of car review. It's a very old saying with can have many interpretations.
How is comparing the Platinum version of the Pathfinder the same as say the XLT version of the explorer? Why not compare the Platinum vs Platinum? Is this a comparison based on price (highest trim Pathfinder vs lowest trim Explorer)? I guess I don't see it as close a match up as others.
+Richard Stickles 9
Looks like the Highlander is still the class leader, most reliable and most fun to drive something Toyota is not usually known for they did a great job to make it fun to drive. The Explorer has the best exterior styling imo not the Pathfinder and the looks of it is in fact its strongest selling point its the only thing it does good. My second choice would be the Pilot with the Durango in 3rd place.
According to Ford's website the V6 can tow 5000 lbs, the 2.3 is rated at 2000.
I never liked these comparisons since cars are provided by Honda. Some of them are not the top model, but Honda wants you to compare then to the Pilot Elite.
Identical in $$$
***** no the explorer wasn't
BCJDM Like the fact they included or lied about the Explorer. Only the FWD 2.3L engine tows 2000 lbs.
+JTSX1 they also lied about the traverse, the second row sear moves forward and back, he had it all the way up
+JacksCars 14 agree 100 percent he didn't know what the hell he was talking about. They also recline back
How about a small suv? and who the best car2015
Anyone else notice he said 215 at 19:03
YEAH!, He totally forgot to say AD.
All of the cars seem great. My choice would be the Ford, Nissan Second, Honda and Toyota Third.
If you want something great to drive the Mazda CX-9 is probably the best. Power goes to the Ford. Offroad goes to the Highlander/pilot with the ground clearance. Pathfinder gets the minivan catagory with the traverse as an all arounder.
95thRiflesOCI Mazda has lower resale value than Toyota so that's less money to put towards my next new car.
For resale value...Toyota and Honda. For brand preference, Toyota or Honda. I have a 2003 Pilot, wife beats he crap out of it and it keeps on going and...it still looks like new.
I find it funny that the Pilot is built less than 10 minutes away from the Talladega Speedway, but they decided to do this event in Kentucky
Ben Strong Funny how that works. Back before the track closed down Toyota used to sponsor a NASCAR truck series race every year at the Nashville Superspeedway, which is almost in the back lot of Nissan's Smyrna plant.
Is there an updated version of this 2021?
A Honda pilot is the kind of trunk you drive to college...A ford explorer is the kind you drive to impressed your boss.
I personally prefer the Highlander, but the upcoming 2016 Explorer is nice as well.
Noel Jacobs The only reason the Exploder (like the Taurus) still exists, to be honest, it's for the police trade. They don't sell that much as retail vehicles and their platform are kinda outdated. And for the same price or very little less, you can get better at the same Ford / Lincoln dealership (Flex, Edge and Lincoln MKX)
You're right. I rented a 2013 Explorer and drove across a few states and was not very impressed. Acceleration was nimble. The 2016 is packing some decent features, but I guess it's a wait and see game.
Noel Jacobs Explorer , upcomung is ugly as #%$^
Gilles Thibault What are you talking about? Explore to the general public sells amazingly. Yes they just recently started to make a police interceptor version for police to compete with the Tahoe and yes its a rental car but who cares. The 16 has had some updates to the ECM and they retuned the trans. But the Explore with the new Sync 3 that's coming out is fantastic and the Sport and Platinum are truly amazing. That Ecoboost V6 is a true beast. So don't go around saying the only reason they still have them is for police and rentals because that's extremely false. Explorer sales in the 2014 market year went up close to 7%. It was it's best year since 2005. Close to 200,000 units sold. That doesn't include fleet sales which help the used car market after their two year run with the rental companies.
Alex Q to bares Alex Q Q ,( a11tjQQ
I would still take the Traverse because it's a Chevy, because it's larger than the competition yet smaller than a Tahoe, and because I still love the looks inside and out despite many comparisons test putting it last .....it would fit my needs very well..
The #1 reason NOT to buy the Traverse is because it's a Chevy.
Nissan was quite innovative about that sensing system in the Pathfinder and that is pretty cool. The Explorer I would buy with the EcoBoost. LOVE ECOBOOSTS!!!
I own the 2015 pilot, the only other one i would consider on that list would be the highlander. The 2016 pilot looks like the 2011 odyssey i just traded in.
What’s the best off-road out of the bunch...?
The traverse may be good for a little bit of time, but it soon wears down in quality a lot faster than all the others. The most reliable is the highlander, and will last for many years, and so is the honda pilot (2016). I wish there were at least 7 seats for the top of the line explorers, as even the 2017 platinum still only seats 6. Please correct me if I'm wrong
I think you guys should do more of these mashups. I really like them, how they show how it is to live with these cars/suv's.
Please help me. What music (group/song name) is that starting at 13:01?
Great review. Had a chance to test drive some of these vehicles and came to same conclusion. Thanks for showing us all these cars and comparing them was very helpful.
Roman should've previewed his previous Honda Pilot videos before waxing nostalgic on the outgoing model. He didn't have anything great to say 2 years ago but now he wishes Honda would've kept the design.
I would choose the 4Runner as my family hauler. I miss the truck-based SUV's so much!
I like boxy styling...it's closer to the off road look I want. Something I can use for utility, camping, or hauling the family with me. I really like the Toyota 4Runner, but they want an arm and leg for those.
I own 2012 pilot touring... Thinking of trading for the new 2016 pilot. Whats your opinion on that? Is the change in new model worth the trade in your opinion?
How do you compare the Lexus GX 460 2015 with all these crossover as ride and driving quality?
***** That model is still based on the 4Runner, the last of the body-on-frame mohicans. TFLCar has a video with it offroading. Plush yet capable (still going to bounce you around more than the RX), yet who would take such an expensive vehicle and beat on it?
can anyone please tell me where the camera on the 2016 honda pilot is, the one that they showed
I would either get the Explorer or Pathfinder because they still have a controlable 4wd. All the other SUVs are just all wheel drive wagons.
Except for the fact they're still awd with a little knob. A true 4wd has a transfer case, 2hi, 4 hi and 4low.
leadnsteel I wopuildnt. I dont need controlable 4wd. Plus ford and nissan are worthless brands.
Artur Murawski What's a worthwhile brand then?
Acura or Honda. Have Honda and Acura. Little or no work for years., The most reliable cars. I had.
Artur Murawski Bias opinion.
The second row Traverse seats slide forward and back. That was the problem.
Agreed.. Something the reviewer dismissed.
Paul Paplinski You can't dismiss something you don't know...
Taylor B All of the SUVs have sliding 2nd row seats. What was the problem?
mana1111 he recognized that for the rest of the SUVs but complained about the second row Traverse space when it was slid all the way forward
Wu Wei Xu it's their responsibility to know the cars
I must be one of the few left who still wants a key and a shift lever, I hate buttons for everything.
Retro Ricks I prefer a shifter too (unlike the Honda Pilot) but I don't miss keys at all because I love the push button start on my Toyota Highlander and unlocking the doors handsfree. I don't have to pull a key out of my pocket (or women have to search their purses) and no scratches around the key ignition hole because it doesn't exist.
I just wonder when K.I.S.S became a bad thing. Cars are having lots of issues because the technology is failing. A key is simple and effective and should be standard equipment even with fobs around. Brakes should never be computer controlled etc....I dunno maybe I am just a geezer.
Not having to take keys out of my pocket to unlock the door and find the ignition hole are KISS.
It's nice I agree, But when the little battery dies it's not so great. Keys never fail unless they are thirty years old maybe. Dodge is having all kinds of problems because of electrical issues. Too complicated in places where it was not needed.
Retro Ricks If the keyfob's battery dies, my redesigned 2014 Toyota Highlander's keyfob also comes with a hidden key inside.
I honestly do like the interior of the traverse! Even if it's not the prettiest of the bunch!
Wow, that was a long video. Thanks you TFL for doing this. Can we expect a midsize SUV comparison review anytime? IMO if I am spending more than 30k on SUV then I will go for the premium badges like Acura, Inifiniti, Lexus etc...
TechFan Well then you will be spending twice as much for the same SUV with a new badge and overpriced bling options.
ZepG Not really. Most of the equipment considered premium in non-luxury vehicles is standard equipment in luxury badge vehicles and I can also get the luxury look for a little more.
TechFan I think the premium badges only have 2 rows. Those in the market for 3 rows wouldn't bother looking at 2 rows premium suvs.
So what is the consensus after these have been on the road for awhile?
Dodge Durango? Jeep Gran Cherokee? Subaru Outback? Mitsubishi Outlander? VW Toureg?
Mazda CX-9? Volvo XC90? Mercedes GL? Audi Q7
Mario Master 02 outback isn't even a 7+ seater....
The only vehicle they did not have is the SantaFe and the Durango I think those vehicles should have been there. In some way guys wife I think the traverse and the Durango compete better with each other than the other SUV they seem more large minivan like compared to the owners the Honda looks a little big also. Work direct injection and a 9spd auto; I would have thought the Honda would do better then the ancient 3.5 in the Nissan with no direct injection but I guess it does make a bid for power and it's not clear off the line due to the low ratios of the 9 speed automatic
It would be great if the cabin noise in the car can be recorded at 60 MPH or 80 MPH.
Not sure why Honda is still shy in revealing its MPG.
Also I dont like the anemic stereos honda and toyota put in their sedans. Audio lovers endup spending a grand or two for the upgrade i ended up doing the upgrade on my 2012 se accord not an SE to start with. I have Highlander 2015 xle the sound is decent but might throw in a sub in future. Reason why I took Highlander .. new pilot was not there to compare with 2015 highlander, avoided pathfinder as i was shifting from murano nissan wanted to try something new. I like the traverse interiors though.
Why did they leave out the Kia Sorento. It would think it's a direct competitor as the top load SX-L is right in the same price range as the Elite. Maybe they're afraid or perhaps they're selling too well to get hold of one?
Roman: Most people may not consider performance when buying an SUV, but most subscribers to TFL probably do. I hate CVTs as much as those journalists you mentioned. I drive an MDX with SH-AWD.
If you don't check where the second row seats are in their fore/aft track, what's the point of comments on 2nd and 3rd seat leg room?
Does Dodge Durango not fit in that category? That push button for the gear shifter is going to be hard because you have to look at it all the time. In a regular gear shifter, it would be much easier.
Kevin Rice It did, getting discontinued.
The best TH-cam channel
I have an 07 pilot, it'll also start in 2nd gear if you put shifter in 2
And also when he says "let's give it the beans" then says that it's loud?! I mean I didn't know that when you gave it the beans that you'd want it to be quiet!!! I'd want mine to be loud! Lol
I saw the full video and for all vehicles you make a comment about acceleration. Kinda sad that when it comes to the Pathfinder your comment is limited to complaints about the CVT, nothing about its acceleration compared to the others. You don't like the CVT, that's fine but remain objective and provide the results/opinion of the test you are performing. 16:03 "Let's give it the beans and see how the Pathfinder does...." guess we'll never know.
Thanks for the fair comparison. It was good to see them go through all the same test to see exactly how the different models differ. Like you said it wasn't a full review since you time was limited, but I enjoyed it. The I like the way the Explorer looks, but when the SPORT came with a 50k price tag I had to pass. I ended up getting the Toyota Highlander since I like the features and space. BTW the third row seat is pretty comfy. The middle bench seats can slide forward making more room for the back yet still leave some room in the middle. You probably didn't have time to try that and I'm sure the Pilot is the same way. I thought the 2016 Pilot was suppose to have a big truck space. They were able to put a cooler back there in the promo pictures. My Highlander sure can't do that with the third row seats up :/
Has anyone noticed how Honda’s new grille design looks like the 2010 fusion’s
The traverse is just big and comfortable.... But I guess it's good that Honda made a traverse look-alike ahem pilot
Not sure where he's getting his data from, but the Explorer can tow up to 5000 lbs. The FWD model with the 2.3L engince has max tow at 2000 lbs, but why would you compare a FWD model to AWD models?
I did not know they lowered the ride height in the pilot! I feel the 2016 look larger than the 2015. Imo.
Not bad but, could say that the driver's opinion is on the nissan. Honda has made a grade job even in mpg gets a higher mileage than the other. Some suggestions if you are "giving the beans to the crossovers, why not to take the time on 0-60 miles/ hour ?. When you tried to get in the cargo space. Why not to load it with thing a buyer usually takes on a daily routine?.
Honda Pilot for me🙌🏾
it sure looked like he said the HONDA 2016 was the best looking, he even pointed to it and they redubbed his voice to say Pathfinder and cut away each time he was about to say a car by name. Weird
Why don't you address the cabin noise levels as well. Just a few words would do it. This is a big selling point with some people.
Hi Roman , I live in snowy area so far I really like your reviews for all these SUVs. But could you please let us know which one of these little beast has maximum ground clearance?
Mazda CX90 can be with this group too ???
Most Pilots won't have a 9-speed.
Its gonna sell very well. Don't see it as an instant class leader. Very solid vehicle.
The Pathfinder lost me with the headroom...or lack of it! I hate that they lowered the Pilot in the 2016...You bashed the 2016 Honda Pilot quite a bit and they seemed to have paid for this event!!!......That makes me believe that you were honest with all of your answers...Thanks for the review..
I don't get why 19 mpg is considered good in the U.S.??? In Europe anything lower than 29 mpg is considered bad for a new car..
Wouter Tom Mulder Because you are running under powered 1.0 liter shitboxes that do 0-60 mph, or for you Zed -60 mph in 10+ seconds.
Well.. Look at the XC90. 2.0 litres with 320 horseporwer running 40 MPG. I think I've made my point..
XC90 with 2.0 liter gets 20 city 25 highway 22 combined, try again.
British imperial gallons are different than U.S. Gallons. 19 here equals about 28 in Europe . For example, the Yaris is almost 50 mpg in Europe while it is 37 mpg in the U.S.
I can understand why it's confusing
Carlos Guevara Thanks for clearing that up, I really wish a worldwide standard of weights and measures was in place a long time ago.
awesome review roman.. i been waiting for this mashup.. and i know you guys gonna do it.. thank you so much... roman if you gonna choose on 3 suv honda toyota or nissan which one will you choose.. thanks!
Best one is the 2015 Pilot. Can fit 4' X 8' full sheet of drywall or plywood! 2016 Pilot cannot! Too narrow!
why wasn't the vw touareg in the bunch?
Which one of these vehicles is the fastest?
The highlander shown was the AWD which is more expensive . The FWD 2015 is 43K . Plus it's the end of year so they want to get rid of them because the 16s are out which only have MINOR changes . Not worth the thousands of dollars more. Plus the highlander limited highlander has radar cruise control which is a huge feature . Plus lane departure and BSM . you can get a 15 Limited platinum highlander for 39K...
I watched the entire review and then I watched it again to be sure. When the reviewer is sticking himself into the trunks to evaluate the trunk size, why are his knees squished together and head tucked for some of the cars but, not others? In particular, while he is in the new pilot, his knees are wide apart with his hand in his lap (almost like he is sitting cross legged). Of course the rear door didn't shut!!!! I wanted an unbiased view of the car and I felt like he was expecting it to fail. He also failed to mention that some of the cars, like the explorer only have TWO seats in the back as opposed to the three seats in the Traverse, etc.
At $35~$45K price range of Mid Size SUV:
If you want an Mid Size SUV that is for everyday drive + road trip = choose any of them because you can't go wrong with any.
If you want an Mid Size SUV that will take you to nature (off roading) and truly do things that will last with you in memory = Jeep Grand Cherokee Trail Hawk or Toyota 4Runner TRD/Trail or Land Rover Discovery (everything listed here wouldn't qualify).
19:06 you mean 2015 instead of 215?
No. Literally the year 0215 it's so outdated.
I know! That's 1800 years ago!
The Highlander is my 'safe' choice, and makes a good long term investment with the Hybrid version. Good MPG, good power, reliability & rock solid resale means you won't go wrong with the Toyota.
The Explorer is the interesting choice. The Sport mode with the 3.5 Ecoboost V6 twin turbo would be a blast to drive & probably the most driver focused of the bunch. Would stuff start breaking down the road? Maybe, but Ford better has Sync 3 in the car first.
The Pilot is the middle choice; it will likely have good reliability given the last gen car, but the 9spd is still iffy. I read somewhere the AWD system in the Pilot is much better than the POS system Honda employs in the CR-V. The interior is very well done in the latest iteration but the exterior looks like a raised Odyssey, which just screams Soccer Mom more than my liking.
The Traverse just feels dated at this point & the Pathfinder design just doesn't do it for me; I still jokingly call it the 'Mallfinder' when I see one of the older more off-road worthy versions parked nearby this new model.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The only SUV I think looks good is the Range Rover & Jaguar F-pace, both of which are much more expensive. You don't buy these 3 row SUVs for aesthetics.
Agreed, Highlander first in reliability, safety, and ease to maintain and then Honda for reliability, Traverse for space and comfort and I don’t like Ford so not even going to mention it.
Tow rating on the Explorer is actually 5,000lbs not 2,000lbs.
So it was Honda bright idea to give the 1st row more room which it didn't need, shift the 3rd row back and give you a removable / lowerable floor (which it already had but you couldn't remove or lower it and you could get dividers for it) to make up for the loss of space. It looks like the rear hatch glass is gone as well which was perfect to load behind the 3rd row if you had a bunch of crap.
That 9 speed sucks in slow speed driving. Roman probably would have liked it better if it had the 8 speed (not offered) or even the 6 speed. The 6 speed is back in the space wasting console like everyone else.
The Highlander is nice but unfortunately, here in NY it's becoming a popular taxi cab along with it's Camry sibling. And THAT is a big turn off for me.
Juan Zingarello There you have it, they confirmed Toyota is #1 in reliability.
It can show how reliable is when they use them as a taxi