Why An On-The-Road Salesperson Chose the 2024 Honda Pilot EX

The Honda Pilot has recently entered a new generation. Its high value proposition, satisfying driving experience, and practicality as a family vehicle are attracting many new Honda buyers and bringing others back to the brand. In this story, we interview a new owner in the coastal New England region and learn why he and his family chose the 2024 Honda Pilot EX.

TN - Tell us about what you do and what type of vehicle best serves your needs
SM - I sell medical equipment to hospitals all over the Northeast, so a medium-sized SUV fits my needs. There are times when I need to transport samples and displays, so I need a larger vehicle. I also like a roomy, comfortable vehicle since I spend a good portion of my workday in it. I have a boat I sometimes tow short distances, so an SUV is my pick over a minivan, though I have owned both in the past.

TN - What made you consider a Honda?
SM - I have owned Hondas in the past and have been satisfied with their reliability. Honda also offers good service based on my past experience. 

TN - What vehicle did you choose after your research and shopping?
SM - I considered the Toyota Highlander, Toyota Grand Highlander, Honda Passport, and Honda Pilot. I’m a lifelong friend of John Goreham from Torque News, so he sent me reviews of each vehicle. I wanted a hybrid to cut down on fuel use, but none could meet my towing needs. 

TN - Tell us a bit about what you like about this particular vehicle after you settled on it.
SM - The style and the ride are the two main things that I liked. It also fits my budget. 

TN - Did the dealer have test vehicles for test drives, and was the vehicle you chose sold to you from dealership inventory?
SM - Yes, there were Pilots on hand for test drives. I test-drove a Pilot, but I didn’t buy the one I test-drove. Mine did come from inventory. I needed the vehicle quickly, and ordering one was not an option, so having one available on the day of purchase was important to me. 

TN - Overall, how was the dealership experience? 
SM—They did a good job helping me choose the right trim, but I should’ve paid better attention to the numbers. I was under the impression I was buying at $1000 under MSRP, but I ended up paying MSRP. The dealer threw in a tow hitch and all-weather mats. Buying vehicles is always stressful, and I wasn’t crazy about the process. 

We want to thank SM for offering his experience buying a 2024 Honda Pilot. 

John Goreham is an experienced New England Motor Press Association member and expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. In addition to his eleven years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can follow John on Twitter, and connect with him at Linkedin.

Image of 2024 Honda Pilot by SM.