Honda Pilot and Acura MDX

Here's a good article giving some of the difference's between the Honda Pilot and the Acura MDX.
Honda's Acura luxury brand introduced an all-new version of the MDX 2007 model, and now along comes the all-new 2009 Honda Pilot. Mechanically, these two crossover utility wagons share many elements — though Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive remains an Acura exclusive.

Honda is successful here for several reasons. First, the company has spread out the launch dates of each. Second, the two models are differentiated one from the other with certain key pieces of technology. There are also dramatic differences in styling. Lastly, Honda is using a pricing strategy that sets the two apart, but not too far apart.

In these ways, Honda has done a nice job of creating two very different models with much of the engineering and manufacturing behind them shared. Very smart.

Honda Pilot
Honda says the new Pilot is the most fuel-efficient eight-passenger SUV in Canada (13.1 litres/100 km in the city, 9.1 highway using regular fuel).

Also, the '09 Pilot is a uniquely North American vehicle; it was developed in the United States and is built in Lincoln, Ala., where its 250-hp, 3.5-litre engine is also made.

Honda types proudly talk about how the new Pilot is trimmer by a couple of hundred kilograms versus its main competitors. That helps fuel economy.

The second-generation Pilot also has an engine that can back down from six cylinders to four or even three, depending on demand. Eight-passenger seating and a 2,042-kilogram towing capacity make it functional, too.

The Pilot's design is nothing like the MDX's, either. This Pilot is brutish-looking and boxy, while the MDX is sporty and bold.

The design changes are not limited to the exterior. The Pilot's new cabin looks refined, though plenty of utility and space remains. The second- and third-row seats also split and fold 60-40, and the second row also moves fore and aft about 76 mm.

And three child seats fit across on the second row, side by side, with lower child-seat hooks at all three second-row spots and one in the third row. Also, upper tether hooks are at all six rear seating slots.

Safe and functional as it is, the '09 Pilot's truly outstanding feature is how it drives: the ride quality is smooth and solid, the handling responsive for a tall, bulky truck-like SUV.

Acura MDX
The current MDX, launched as a 2007 model, marked the debut of Honda's new global "truck" platform shared with the Acura MDX and the Pilot.

Where the Pilot competes with the likes of the GMC Acadia and Toyota Highlander, the MDX goes against the BMW X5, Volkswagen Touareg, Infiniti FX35/45, Mercedes-Benz M-class and Volvo XC90.

The MDX has bold styling as a selling point. The grille is one specific example, the rear end's "12-barrel" racing-style tail lights another.

The design isn't the only thing that is aggressive. Acura brought in consultants from Porsche Engineering for advice on how to set up and tune the MDX's ride and handling. The engine, at 3.7 litres of displacement, is rated at 300 hp — more than the Pilot's V-6.

Lastly, Honda separates the MDX from the Pilot by loading up the Acura with technology. The MDX, for example, has an advanced all-wheel-drive system called Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), a computer-controlled anti-skid system (Co-operative Vehicle Stability Assist — VSA with Traction Control System), and a navigation system that works on voice commands and understands both English and French.

The MDX also has an available sound system engineered by Grammy-winning recording engineer and producer Elliot Scheiner, Panasonic and Acura.

And so on. Honda, in these two models, shows a clear understanding of the difference between brand engineering and badge engineering.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/auto/honda-pilot-and-acura-mdx/article699275/