I have a 2003 SR5 4WD V8 that i purchased in August. I love it. I have experienced no troubles with it except the sulfur smell with the rear window down. The smell occurs normally after 2000 or so RPMs. If you drive it hard you will smell it with the rear window down, otherwises you will have no problem.
I also was looking at the Honda Pilot when i was searching. It was very impressive on the safety front. What i didn't like was the all wheel drive system. It is an electronic 4wd drive system that is actually always 2wd until the sensors show it needs 4wd and then it kicks in. I didn't like that. I wanted all time 4WD.
As for the gas mileage: ranging between 15.5mixed and 18.5 h/w. The 15.5 is because i kind of have a lead foot.
Oh yeah, I run it with only regular unleaded. The website says premium but the manual says 87 octane and to use 91 or better for better performance.
Also, I reccommend the V8 over the V6 for the reliability issues that have come up. Also, the V6 is louder because the engine is having to work harder to drive the same weight. Also, the V8 has 320 ftlbs of torque which is a huge advantage in the towing department.
All in all, go for the 4wd Runner over the competition. Which 4runner you get is up to you. I reccommend the V8, though.