| tibbles |
| The 2009 Pilot is larger than older versions but the maximum cargo capacity (all seats folded) is less than the older pilots. 2009: 87 cu ft. 2003-2008: 90 cu ft. Why is this? |
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| Shindig78 |
quote:
Originally posted by tibbles
The 2009 Pilot is larger than older versions but the maximum cargo capacity (all seats folded) is less than the older pilots. 2009: 87 cu ft. 2003-2008: 90 cu ft. Why is this?
I'm not certain (haven't compared schematics), but when I saw an '09 in person for the first time last week, it felt like the load floor might be a little higher in the 2009 model. If the interior height of the roof is the same, but the load floor is slightly higher, that could contribute to a loss of 3 cubic feet. |
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| Urabus |
Another thing that I noticed about the load floor is that with all the seats folded down, the floor angles up towards the front quite noticeably. Was the old design like that?
I don't really understand why it angles up towards the front since the Honda brochure talks about the advantages of "theatre" seating. Wouldn't that mean it should be higher in the back? |
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| tibbles |
| My 2005 EX cargo floor slopes upward over the second row seats, then is flat from the third row back to the tailgate. It's a bit annoying but I can live with it. I thought that the 2009's had a completely flat cargo floor. |
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| Urabus |
The entire cargo area is completely flat--it's just not horizontal. Even with the third row up, the floor slopes down backwards. It's good that you can open the glass hatch seperately, otherwise things would roll out. I guess it's like that so things don't roll forward, but I think it reduces cargo space.
However, if you lift the floor panel up to use the recessed area behind the third row, the floor doesn't slope. That's how I'd probably use that area most of the time. |
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| tibbles |
| Thanks Urabus, I think that a flat AND horizontal floor would have been nice. Overall, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the new Pilot, more horsepower would have been good. I'll keep my 2005 for now. |
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| jscampbe |
There is also a major difference with the height of the load floor. I have a Chariot stroller and it fit fine in the 2003 but in the 2009 it has to be folded down to go in. Part of this I think has to do with the deeper storage area under the floor. Also the upward slope would reduce the capacity as well.
The cargo area is slightly wider and longer (with the 3rd row folded at least) which I find is nice for most things |
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| rlapid |
| i was watching the edmunds' review/comparison video between the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Highlander, and 09 Pilot, and they reported that the Mazda actually had the most cargo room with the 2nd and 3rd row folded down. i was a bit surprised as the Mazda appears smaller on the outside compared to the Pilot. i guess it is because of that slanted floor. |
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| tibbles |
| That the CX-9 has more cargo room is surprising, because the Pilot's large cargo capacity was a major selling feature for my 2005 purchase. I think that since the 2009 is larger than the previous Pilot, Honda should have increased cargo room, especially when many people are downsizing their vehicles. Efficient use of size is important to me. |
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| Urabus |
quote:
Originally posted by rlapid
they reported that the Mazda actually had the most cargo room with the 2nd and 3rd row folded down.
For me that's irrelevant because having 4 kids, it's how much cargo space there is with all seats UP that's important to me. |
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| Shindig78 |
quote:
Originally posted by rlapid
i was a bit surprised as the Mazda appears smaller on the outside compared to the Pilot. i guess it is because of that slanted floor.
The CX-9 is actually a good nine inches longer than the '09 Pilot, which helps explain its increase in cargo area.
The length is an interesting differentiation between the Pilot and other large "crossovers." I was attracted to my '08 Pilot because of its unique size -- it was larger than the 1st gen Highlander, but a good 12" or so shorter than the CX-9, Veracruz, or Acadia/Outlook. |
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| 2ndhonda |
| having a slightly tilted 2nd row seat (not horizontal) is great when hauling anything long enough to come into the front armrest area. I have about 8 2X6's in the pilot now, and they rest on the back of the 2nd row seat and don't rest/scuff the center arm rest of the front of the cabin. |
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