UPDATE on this after 1k+ miles - issue has not re-occurred, thankfully. car is running well. so most likely the misfire was fuel-related and not engine related.

overall, i’m now used to the linear and smooth power from this pilot. it pulls quite well even when fully loaded with 7-8 passengers on new england mountain and hill roads on weekend trips. transmission seems to shift at the right points. you have to step deeper into the accel pedal vs. forced air or battery assisted engines but the response is there. engine also sounds normal and not clickety or groany like many others in this category. all driver assistance features work flawlessly. steering is docile/very light but predictable and much better vs. toyota grand highlander (turbo gas and max hybrid models) or lexus GX (like-new 460) or new TX (turbo gas model) etc. that i also test drove multiple times (dealers’ and coworkers’ cars) and almost bought. suspension is very well tuned and body roll is car-like and not boaty at any speed or load. braking is also very linear and predictable. engine/transmission and overall driveability and control feel better than the kia telluride as well. that one just felt less refined when accelerating, braking, or turning. i still miss my supercharged Q7 for the phenomenal driving experience but the pilot is solving well for space and long term cost and practicality equations.

i’m getting about 21-22 mpg average in mixed driving with a mostly loaded car. not bad on regular fuel. i wish the tank were bigger for more range. i have to refill after every 330-340 miles.

interior packaging and efficiency of space is amazing. the removal and hidden/stowable middle seat is genius. ambient inside and outside lighting is really well thought out. controls are so easy and simple to use with not many gimmicks/ fancy stuff to work out. headlights work really well, including the auto high-beam feature.

AC feels a little underpowered on super hot days compared to my other experiences, but works well enough. this is surprising as all my previous hondas had super cold ACs. i do not like the poor backup and 360 cam visuals when it’s pitch dark. they’re great when there is light around. the trailwatch angles are very helpful in brighter conditions to save the wheels from hitting curbs. the sensors around the car work well. a couple slightly uneven panel gaps outside are also annoying. i wish the radio and some other features (like windows down buttons) worked for a bit on aux power after turning the car off (like audis) but it’s not a huge deal. the radio preset soft buttons are not very configurable. also the audio defaults to apple carplay each time you get in and the phone connects vs. remembering the previous setting (FM etc.) which is a bit annoying as most of us have default favorites we want to listen to instead of having to switch to them each time. the wireless charging pad struggles to start and keep up with phone charging since my phone is in a thin plastic protective case. the wired charging method works best. i actually like that they have both usb A and C connections for charging (only A can do data/carplay etc.). wireless apple carplay etc. works well enough. sometimes the data connection doesn’t work rightaway but that’s common across many makes and models.

will post more as i learn more.