Ask the Car People.SM


Nissan Murano vs Toyota Highlander vs Subaru B9 Tribeca vs Honda Pilot

800 messages,  Last post on Mar 02, 2010 at 10:36 AM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Volkswagen Touareg, SUV

Messages Page 78 of 81

#765 of 800 Re: New 2009 Pilot- uuggg [ateixeira] by steve_ HOST

Jan 29, 2008 (10:58 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 29, 2008 10:34 am)
The reception does seem lukewarm:
 
steve_, "2009 Honda Pilot" #332, 29 Jan 2008 7:49 am

#767 of 800 08 Highlander vs 09 Murano vs 08 Pilot by carchatnj

Feb 05, 2008 (10:06 am)

I am just starting my SUV search and am interested in the 08 Highlander, 09 Murano, and 08 Pilot. I have never owned an SUV, so am not sure which would be the best option for a "first timer." I have read reviews and see that most people love the 08 Highlander. I love the look of that and the new Murano, but see that the Murano has very limited interior storage space and some major blind spots. I'm not quite sold on the Pilot, and am really just considering it because I know Honda makes great vehicles and it's relatively reasonably priced. Does anyone have any advice? Or suggestions on comparable SUV's that I should consider? I would also be interested in finding out how much people have paid for these vehicles in the NJ area. Thanks!

#768 of 800 Re: 08 Highlander vs 09 Murano vs 08 Pilot [carchatnj] by ateixeira

Feb 05, 2008 (11:37 am)

Replying to: carchatnj (Feb 05, 2008 10:06 am)
Since you seem to be just getting started, my suggestion would be to go to the Philadelphia auto show, which starts this week.
 
There you can sample them all back to back, without any pressure from salesmen.
 
Test fit each one, see how seat comfort is, check out cargo room, visibility, etc. Take your time doing so.
 
Narrow it down to your top few choices, then test drive those.
 
Sample the Tribeca and the Veracruz while you're at it, both have nice interiors.

#769 of 800 Re: 5 Criteria for AWD (not 4WD, but AWD) [chelentano] by ateixeira

Feb 05, 2008 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: chelentano (Jan 16, 2008 9:13 pm)
Pardon my long delay in finding a source, but I finally found the video that shows that the VDC AWD system used by Subaru can send enough power to any single wheel to keep it moving up a ramp in simulated no-traction scenarios:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t09ExAUgtyE&feature=related
 
Pretty amazing at any price point, even more so at Subaru's prices.

#770 of 800 Re: 5 Criteria for AWD (not 4WD, but AWD) [ateixeira] by jeffmc

Feb 05, 2008 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 05, 2008 1:01 pm)
Nice find, juice. Chelentano won't accept it, though, since it's not from a neutral source. Consumer Reports should set up this test to evaluate manufacturers' claims and systems... it's not a complicated or cost-prohibitive experiment.

#771 of 800 Re: 5 Criteria for AWD (not 4WD, but AWD) [jeffmc] by morey000

Feb 05, 2008 (11:10 pm)

Replying to: jeffmc (Feb 05, 2008 3:42 pm)
There are better off road vehicles out there than a tribeca, but not among the CUV class. I wouldn't put my 'Beca up against an FJ Cruiser, H3 or even a Jeep Grand Cherokee. But, I've gone up some 4WD roads with it and have been very very impressed with the Tribeca's capabilities-even with the mediocre stock tires.
 
If better off road traction is what you're looking for, the Subie's certainly have an advantage.

#772 of 800 Re: 5 Criteria for AWD (not 4WD, but AWD) [jeffmc] by ateixeira

Feb 06, 2008 (7:48 am)

Replying to: jeffmc (Feb 05, 2008 3:42 pm)
Well, if you watch it, ignore the marketing schpeal they dole out. I don't even necessarily agree with the reasons they some fail and some succeed (symmetry? huh?).
 
And they could have rigged the test for the competitors to fail. For example: that performed like a FWD CR-V, LOL.
 
But...what it does prove is that even a basic Forester X, priced under $20 grand, has a good enough AWD system to distribute enough power between front and rear axles to pass the front-to-rear test.
 
The VDC system goes a step further and can send enough power side-to-side, to any given wheel.
 
They can't rig that test. VDC makes it up, clear as day.
 
So rather than wait for a rebuttle, instead I'll challenge Mitsubishi fans to show me an Outlander (or Endeavor) that can make it up one of those ramps. The proof is in the pudding.
 
Remember, despite all the acronyms, C&D rated it in last place among compact crossovers in the off road portion of the test. So simple challenge - prove them wrong.

#773 of 800 Re: 5 Criteria for AWD (not 4WD, but AWD) [ateixeira] by chelentano

Feb 09, 2008 (2:09 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Feb 05, 2008 1:01 pm)
Still you did not show any evidence to support your claim that Subaru AWD system would be capable of "100% power transfer to either axle".
 
You post another Subaru marketing video and you call it a "proof"? I can’t even see if that CR-V has rear wheels spinning: it could be very well a 2WD version of CR-V. There are so many other ways to stage that “test”. Not just me, but a lot of people on Youtube doubt the authenticity of that video. The last party I would trust is a car salesman.
 
But if you like marketing videos, I have got some.
 
Lancer AWD vs. Lamborghini AWD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWQDWXviuFM
 
Mitsubishi Pajero AWD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkMjhzv_zzE
 
Two Outlander videos in snow. If you ever driven a car in a heavy snow, you could tell that this Outlander AWD performance is impressive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3arUMr2PsI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJt0j38JJBA&feature=related

#774 of 800 Re: 5 Criteria for AWD (not 4WD, but AWD) [chelentano] by morey000

Feb 09, 2008 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: chelentano (Feb 09, 2008 2:09 am)
Chelentano,
Sure- marketing videos may be biased to favor their brand. But I don't buy your accusation that the whole thing was rigged. (by using a 2WD CRV)
 
I've taken my Tribeca on some reasonably hairy 4WD roads and have been quite impressed.
 
If that video isn't significant evidence that Subaru's symmetrical AWD VTD system doesn't transfer 100% of its power to a single wheel- I don't know what is. But, regardless, the Tribeca is pretty dang good off road. Just ask anyone who's ever take one there.

Messages Page 78 of 81

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement