Looking at Passport EX-L AWD coming from 2012 Pilot EX-L AWD...good choice?

stuman74 said:

My wife has a 7 year old 2012 Pilot EX-L AWD that we are planning to trade and was initially looking at the current Pilot as well. However, it looks like the Passport may be the better choice for her since she doesn't love the longer current Pilot and its "minivan" look from the side.

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Lots of us came from a Pilot. Myself included. And yeah, the new Pilot is longer:

2019 Pilot - 196.5 long
2012 Pilot - 191 long
2019 Passport - 190.5 long

While it is the first model year, most of the important stuff has been thoroughly tested in both the Pilot and the Ridgeline. This car isn’t like the new Corvette.

I traded in 2016 Pilot and haven’t regretted it one bit. I didn’t need third row seat, but wanted more power than the CRV. Depending on your preference I would suggest at least the Touring. Couple upgrades I appreciate are the LED headlights make huge difference and the upgraded sound system just to mention 2?

PASSPORT52 said:

I traded in 2016 Pilot and haven’t regretted it one bit. I didn’t need third row seat, but wanted more power than the CRV. Depending on your preference I would suggest at least the Touring. Couple upgrades I appreciate are the LED headlights make huge difference and the upgraded sound system just to mention 2?

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I agree. I went from a 17 pilot and went for the touring model. Love the lights and stereo. The upgraded stereo is a huge difference over the ex-l

Thanks for all of the comments so far. Well, my wife and I did go by the local Honda dealer last night and took a Passport (was EX-L) for a little test drive. My wife liked it a lot since seemed very familiar to her coming from the '12 Pilot (plus some new tech of course). I'm thinking it's gonna happen at some point. May consider the Touring or Elite if a better price break, but really think the EX-L AWD is the best bang for the buck since her iPhone will connect for GPS via CarPlay, we don't need built in nav and the upcharge for some of the extra bells and whistles are a little hard for me to justify. She also likes the black gloss wheels on the Elite though, but we'll see

Also, per numerous quotes I've received so far, out-the-door the Elite model will cost me $4800 more than an EX-L AWD. I'm having a hard time justifying that upgrade cost. I understand the listed differences of the levels, but what specific features really push that value to be that much more? Thanks!

Here’s a breakdown of the differences in case you haven’t seen every different trim laid out. We got the AWD touring for $4000 less than the elite, didn’t want the ex-l as we really wanted the roof rails (which you can add later I know) but the parking sensors are very helpful, the sound system is amazing, we love the very bright led headlights because you can see everything so clearly, the power folding mirrors was nice to have since we both park in the garage! The only thing I liked on the elite was the ventilated seats but definitely not worth $4000 more.

stuman74 said:

Also, per numerous quotes I've received so far, out-the-door the Elite model will cost me $4800 more than an EX-L AWD. I'm having a hard time justifying that upgrade cost. I understand the listed differences of the levels, but what specific features really push that value to be that much more? Thanks!

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Personally I couldn’t justify the Elite. The only feature I wanted on Elite from Touring was the heated steering wheel which if I really wanted I can add for approx $500. To me the Touring is the sweet spot with the LED Lights and sound and other features mentioned above?

stuman74 said:

Also, per numerous quotes I've received so far, out-the-door the Elite model will cost me $4800 more than an EX-L AWD. I'm having a hard time justifying that upgrade cost. I understand the listed differences of the levels, but what specific features really push that value to be that much more? Thanks!

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I purchased a Passport Touring a couple of months ago. I traded a 2012 Pilot EXL with 60000 miles. I had no intensions of trading the Pilot until I saw the Passport. I opted for the Touring and couldn't be happier. I have only seen two on the road since my purchase therefore I think you can get a better deal than I got. The MSRP was $42225 and they discounted $5000. I got $17225 for my trade. I still had to pay tax, reg. and doc fee. The Touring adds a lot more ( love the led headlights ).

Well, after going back and forth on the trims, we bought the EX-L AWD Passport last night. Wife is very happy so far! She just needs to learn all the new tech which is very similar to my 2017 CR-V. I'll be tutoring her later today . I'll send her the link to all those nice Honda videos as well.

stuman74 said:

Well, after going back and forth on the trims, we bought the EX-L AWD Passport last night. Wife is very happy so far! She just needs to learn all the new tech which is very similar to my 2017 CR-V. I'll be tutoring her later today . I'll send her the link to all those nice Honda videos as well.

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Congratulations!!

I haven't been on in a while and am catching up on old threads. Just curious how you wife is liking the PP compared to her '12 Pilot after a month of use.

I ask only because my main vehicle is a 2012 Pilot Touring and it has been my favorite of any vehicle I've ever owned. My husband is the primary driver of our '19 Passport Elite and I honestly don't envy him. I do like the PP very much, I just still prefer my '12 Pilot. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to finally let go of my Pilot.

We got our PP at the end of April and I drive it about once a week. Maybe it would grow on me more if it were my primary, I don't know.

My wife loves mine and actually considered trading after our purchase. She drives a very loud - to me - 2016 CRV; nice EX-L version but she would actually be happier in a ‘66 Chevy that does not have all the electronics, etc.

Huskyluv said:

I haven't been on in a while and am catching up on old threads. Just curious how you wife is liking the PP compared to her '12 Pilot after a month of use.

I ask only because my main vehicle is a 2012 Pilot Touring and it has been my favorite of any vehicle I've ever owned. My husband is the primary driver of our '19 Passport Elite and I honestly don't envy him. I do like the PP very much, I just still prefer my '12 Pilot. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to finally let go of my Pilot.

We got our PP at the end of April and I drive it about once a week. Maybe it would grow on me more if it were my primary, I don't know.

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I haven't driven it for a few weeks, but my wife says she likes it a lot. She did say she feels like she sits a little lower to the road (not sure if true or just her perception) but that the PP drives great and she likes all the current tech in it compared to the 2012. Losing the 3rd row has not been an issue and she commented how it still has plenty of space when shopping.

rls002 said:

My wife loves mine and actually considered trading after our purchase. She drives a very loud - to me - 2016 CRV; nice EX-L version but she would actually be happier in a ‘66 Chevy that does not have all the electronics, etc.

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I test drove a new CRV, fully loaded, to compare before getting the Passport. There was noticeable engine noise, that I pointed out to the salesman. It’s not the “turbo” it was straight up engine noise. No thanks, plus it smelled weird. I am super sensitive to smells and that crv was bad.

I would not be happy with the CRV.