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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 80

#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.

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

Feb 09, 2008 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: morey000 (Feb 09, 2008 1:26 pm)
>> Sure- marketing videos may be biased to favor their brand.
 
Yea, marketing is biased by nature.
.
 
>> I've taken my Tribeca on some reasonably hairy 4WD roads and have been quite impressed.
 
You should make a video then. I'd love to see in in heavy snow.
.
 
>> 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.
 
Yea, I also don't know what is evidence. Nothing really. There is no Subaru offroad rally wins, no independent tests to prove that. Even the official Subaru site does not state that it can transfer 100% of its power to a single wheel. So far it's more like wishfull thinking.
.
 
>> But, regardless, the Tribeca is pretty dang good off road. Just ask anyone who's ever take one there.
 
It may be good, why not. But it does not appear to be the best

#776 of 800 Re: 08 Highlander vs 09 Murano vs 08 Pilot [carchatnj] by nmsg

Feb 09, 2008 (9:46 pm)

Replying to: carchatnj (Feb 05, 2008 10:06 am)
carchatnj,
What major blind spots do you see in the 09 Murano? I was interested in the Murano and trying to find out what other people have to say about it. thx.

#777 of 800 Re: 08 Highlander vs 09 Murano vs 08 Pilot [nmsg] by carchatnj

Feb 11, 2008 (11:41 am)

Replying to: nmsg (Feb 09, 2008 9:46 pm)
I haven't had an opportunity to test drive the new Murano, but I know the 08 and older models have major blind spots out the back...I believe because the window is so small and curved.

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

Feb 11, 2008 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: chelentano (Feb 09, 2008 8:34 pm)
There is no Subaru offroad rally wins
 
Oh gosh, where do I start?
 
Ever heard of WRC? The Kenya rally? It's off road, all right.
 
That is the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard. I have to laugh.

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

Feb 11, 2008 (1:19 pm)

Replying to: chelentano (Feb 09, 2008 2:09 am)
So no Mitsubishi Outlander has ever passed the ramp test, then?
 
I guess you give up, then?
 
Why not call around and take your Outlander to a local 4x4 event, they have those ramps. Bring a video camera.
 
Don't worry I don't expect an answer from you, even if you do go.
 
My challenge was for you to prove the Outlander's AWD could do that, and you come back with a cool yet completely irrelevant video of an EVO and a Pajero.
 
Driving in snow is fun, but we're talking about power transfer under frictionless conditions, so neither of those videos qualifies. We're talking ICE, not snow. Still irrelevant.
 
You can continue to live in denial about Subaru having phenomenal AWD systems for the vehicles in this class, with video proof for those who have open eyes to see.

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

Feb 11, 2008 (1:27 pm)

Replying to: chelentano (Feb 09, 2008 2:09 am)
this Outlander AWD performance is impressive:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3arUMr2PsI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJt0j38JJBA&feature=related
 
In the first one he nearly gets stuck at around 15-18 seconds.
 
Also, he never comes to a full stop, instead relying on forward momentum to keep going.
 
On the 2nd one, at about 1:35 it shows the Outlander plowing the snow from a lack of ground clearance.
 
Also, in at least two spots on the video you can tell the front wheels are spinning a lot faster than the rear, note the rooster tail of snow.
 
Fun videos but let's see one on that ramp.
 
Seriously, take yours to a local 4x4 event. It would be very revealing. In theory it should be capable, given the lock button and the traction control, so go for it!

Messages Page 78 of 80

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