@max_g the turbo engines make a big difference since they offer so much low end torque, but ironically, the CVT in sport mode in the QX60 works great. It’s really just right for the “family hauler”. I’d rather have more power as most of us would, but it’s way more usable than any Honda/Acura or Lexus product we’ve had.
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What problems did you have with your Honda Odyssey Elite? I just leased one and so far I’ve been very happy with it.
I never got the point of an SUV for young suburban families. Minivans are just so much more practical and useful. No scaling up the side of a tall vehicle and wrestling with securing car seats to get your family in, and no clambering down from on high and imperilling your life to get them out. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen fat housewives dressed in sweats and crocs, with no intention of ever off-roading or towing anything, pull up to a mall, and literally fall out of her SUV.
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I leased a 2017 AWD Qx60 with ALL packages and pretty much every feature Infiniti has back in OCT 2016.
I made a post about the details on here, do a search.
MSRP: ~ $62,000
Payment: $545/mo. including 8% tax. Put about $5k towards MSD. $0 down towards cap cost.
That’s a killer deal. We are paying $40/mo more and have less features. We also didn’t have the chance to really shop it as much as we had liked to. Only one Infiniti dealer in cincy and it was the best deal on any crossover that worked for us. Still got a good deal, but not a great deal. Nice work.
We loved the convenience of the minivan but our Odyssey Elite kept having transmission issues that they couldn’t fix. Hesitation, not shifting right, other issues. It happened so often during the first year, we just told them to take it back. We got such a great deal, we had more than enough equity in it. Our original lease deal included $9k off MSRP to start, before other discounts.
That’s a real shame. And until recently, very un-Honda-like. I’ve had my Elite three months and so far, no problems at all.
By the way, there’s a live feed on youtube right now that will feature the Grand Reveal of the yet-to-be-released 2018 Odyssey. It’ll be shown to the public for the first time at the Detroit Auto Show. In approximately thirty-three minutes and counting.
A shame, but not a surprise. I’ve seen transmission-related complaints for a while now.
Just leased a 2018 Pilot Touring AWD for 39mo/ $475 w/ $1768 out of pocket (including first month payment)
Search for QX60 deals. Should be in the 4s with nothing down. I have a 2015 pathfinder platinum that I lucked into before I learned of this site. Got it for 400 even and 1000 down.
Payment is great but the rest is meh. Infiniti is probably a little nicer but still the same car. Thought I’d have a problem with the cvt but it’s not bad. What’s bad is how terrible it handles (previous family hauler was a cx9) and at times kinda scary stearin feel. It literally feels like you’re driving on snow all of the time. It’s also not very good in the snow if that matters to you. I’m at 30k and will be turning it in in July and gladly so. I’m almost through my second set of tires too and will have to get another set before I turn it in, will lltry to find used over 4/32.
As for space, it’s good. Sitting between two car seats depends on how wide your hips are. Probably a little snug for most people… and 3rd row access with car seats is actually fairly easy.
well, actually if I subtract 1st month payment and $300 back from honcker promo it’s $993 out of pocket… so I’m ok with paying $75 more a month for 20 inch wheels, rear entertainment, etc. and the tech in QX is awful imo
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I REALLY wanted to love the pilot. It had many interior features I thought were fantastic. The infotainment, not so much. I like having an actual volume knob and the audio itself sounded terrible. But things like the child viewing mirror, rear window shades, 2nd row captains chairs, standard rear entertainment were very welcome features.
In the end, the Honda transmission and 100+/month increase in cost made the decision easy to make.
trans issue was the 2016 6 speed, this is 2018 9 speed, even if there was an issue with the trans it would be covered under warranty so i’m not concerned. The infiniti is under 375/mo? i guess if that’s true I could understand why you would go that route.
The 9 speed is easily the worse of the two. It drove terribly on top of the questionable reliability. Warranty will take care of it, sure. But it’s a hassle I don’t want to deal with if I don’t have to. Also, towing capacity is lower.
Pilot elite here doesn’t get lower than 600 with zero down.
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I’ve only driven the Pilot 50 miles so far but haven’t noticed anything strange about the acceleration or shifting. Now we’re back to the QX60 same price as the Pilot when fully loaded. This is all sounding like personal preference to me.
That’s really most of it, but the Pilot would have cost me far more to lease.
I’ll add that I’ve been driving various Honda automatics for years and, for me, they just feel worse and worse with each iteration. If you like how it drives, that’s great.
I said Pilot Elite, not Touring.
I’m paying very close to your Touring price for something that compares better to the Elite. Do you think you could get a Pilot Elite under 500/month? That would have made my decision MUCH more difficult 
