Honda Pilot vs. Nissan Murano

[jrock65]

2004 Pilot EX/ Leather vs. 2004 Murano SL AWD w/ Touring Package

Pilot (MSRP $31,360; Street price: $30,500) advantages:

$1000 lower street price
Third-row seats
Traction control
Rear climate control
Rear seat pretensioners
Floor mats
Regular unleaded OK
More cargo room

Murano (MSRP $34,640; Street price: $31,500) advantages:

Sunroof
Xenon headlights
Side curtain airbags
Memory settings for driver seat, side mirrors, and pedals
In-dash CD changer
Four-way power passenger seat
Power adjustable pedals
Dual zone climate control
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Aluminum trim
Trip computer
Braking assist
Auto-on/off headlights
Fog lights
Slightly more horsepower/torque
Better gas mileage
Longer powertrain warranty

Did I miss anything? (I'm leaving out subjective areas such as looks.)

The Pilot is a good buy for those who want extra room and seats, the Murano is a good buy for those who want more features.

[i<3mymurano]

i don't know if the third row seats should be an "advantage"
1. adults cannot sit in that third row! only small children will fit
2. second row leg room decreases dramatically
3. cargo area is ___ YEH big unless you fold down the 3rd row seats.

so unless you have really small children, then i guess the 3rd row is nice to have. im glad the murano didn't come out with 3rd row seats.

[dmako]

The Pilot seems to have a lot going for the rear passengers.

Third-row seats
Rear climate control
Rear seat pretensioners
More cargo room

The Murano has more going for the driver.

[Kris]

You cannot really compare these two cars. For me Honda is an SUV, Murano - something else. I elected to purchase Murano for a single reason - it is not a SUV! It does not drive like SUV, does not look like SUV, it is simple driver car. With sports car spirit (I know some of you will smile).

If I wanted an SUV i would probably go for a Toyota Landcruiser, well proved in Australian outback as well as roads around the world.

Other choice would be Nissan Patrol i.e. if it was available here.......

[Halo]

Honda reliability is also better than Nissan, on average

I gotta say, my purchase decision was 50% style and 50% technical. Cars are so much more alike than different these days.

[DatsunDriven]

I too compared the Honda Pilot. I think it's a great value for someone who buys their vehicles for transportation, reliability and function. The Murano was more emontional and certainly more enjoyable to drive.

[Kris]

DatsunDriven


your not wrong!!!!

[dklanecky1]

Honda Pilot = Transportation Appliance
Nissan Murano = Transportation with Style

[Jet-Pilot-64]

Originally posted by i&lt;3mymurano
i don't know if the third row seats should be an "advantage"
1. adults cannot sit in that third row! only small children will fit
2. second row leg room decreases dramatically
3. cargo area is ___ YEH big unless you fold down the 3rd row seats.

so unless you have really small children, then i guess the 3rd row is nice to have. im glad the murano didn't come out with 3rd row seats.

I have a 2003 Pilot without the adjustable second row. It is simply untrue that adults cannot fit in the third row. I carted around six people the other night (in town mind you) for about an hour total drive time. I asked the two who sat in back how bad it was. They said they didn't even notice, it was fine. They were women about 5'7". The one problem is, however, getting to the third row. You have to climb over the second row seat.

FYI, I love the look of the Murano, just needed more space for the family...

[hfelknor]

Features LX /EX
Headroom (in., front/middle/rear) 41.9 / 40.9 / 38.9
Legroom (in., front/middle/rear) 41.4 / 37.4 / 30.2
Shoulder Room (in., front/middle/rear) 61.6 / 61.4 / 58.8
Hiproom (in., front/middle/rear) 57.5 / 56.6 / 49.0
Cargo Volume (cu. ft., behind 1st/2nd/3rd row) 90.3/48.7/16.3

Quite obviously there is lot less room in the rear seat.
But IMO, it's also obvious that most adults could ride there.
An 8 hour road trip? No. That would be ridiculous.
Going to dinner? Why not?

Lets call em as we see em, but lets be fair.

Now let me list the things about a Pilot that DO excite me.

1-


Homer

[MOjoe]

the biggest Pilot-Murano difference? The CVT of course!

[Jet-Pilot-64]

Originally posted by hfelknor
Features LX /EX
Headroom (in., front/middle/rear) 41.9 / 40.9 / 38.9
Legroom (in., front/middle/rear) 41.4 / 37.4 / 30.2
Shoulder Room (in., front/middle/rear) 61.6 / 61.4 / 58.8
Hiproom (in., front/middle/rear) 57.5 / 56.6 / 49.0
Cargo Volume (cu. ft., behind 1st/2nd/3rd row) 90.3/48.7/16.3

Quite obviously there is lot less room in the rear seat.
But IMO, it's also obvious that most adults could ride there.
An 8 hour road trip? No. That would be ridiculous.
Going to dinner? Why not?

Lets call em as we see em, but lets be fair.

Now let me list the things about a Pilot that DO excite me.

1-


Homer

Did you accidently hit the submit button or are you still thinking? Just kidding... I love my Pilot and am going back home before I get in trouble...

[jaak]

Pilot:

1- It's not as ugly as some other SUV's...
2- Umm, er, uh, I guess it's reliable
3- uh, I think it might be ok to drive
4 - Hmm, it is probably pretty reliable
5- Oh, c'mon, someone help me....

Oh never mind, I'll just go look at my Murano again and continue smiling..

[Mr3Putt]

I saw a Pilot today , er, wait, maybe it was one of the 55 billion SUV's out there that just look like a Pilot. The MO got style baby!

[Dookie]

The biggest factor that influenced our decision to buy the Murano was that while the Pilot was nice, and the price was right, it seemed to say way too much when changing lanes and turning corners. We have never owned an SUV before, so this could be why as well, but in the end, it seems to us that the Murano was the spot between the rock and the hard place.....bigger than a sedan, not as mushy as an SUV