Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

472 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 5:09 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Car Comparisons, SUV

2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander - Although we've been hearing about a mad dash to get out of sport-utility vehicles and into fuel-efficient compacts, the reality is that seven- and eight-passenger crossover SUVs like the 2008 Mazda CX-9, 2008 Toyota Highlander and 2009 Honda Pilot aren't going away anytime soon. (more)

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#102 of 472 by msam Jul 26, 2008 (3:05 am)
It seems to me people are trying to convince one another based on their own needs. Everyone's needs and expectations are different and hence different vehicles are going to suit their differing needs. Why would a person who earns 200 K a year worry about fuel economy as much as a person earning 100 K a year (if money spent towards fuel is the main consideration)? Why would a person who wants regular 3rd row seating for adults consider a Toyota Highlander? Why would a person who likes the nice comfy ride of a mini van, go for a vehicle that is more tuned towards sportiness? Also, in some posts people are talking about price to own after a few years and seem to be saying that Toyota will turn out much better than a Mazda. Looking at available data, the difference is much lesser than what people would imagine. See ya...
#103 of 472 by ch1rravu Jul 26, 2008 (5:27 am)
100K or 200K a year earnings ? you ought to shoot for X5 or some other fancier models to befit your lifestyle. Betcha, many Highlander customers earn less than that. Ofcourse, many sensible 100k-200k+ guys buy it too, but largest volumes comes from middle class families, I surmise. Somewhere I recall reading about Highlander's sales drop in June: Discontinuing of 4-cylender models, while gas prices are hovering over $4+ ! If you notice on prices paid discussion, even in Car's sale prices, the difference between V4 (or I4 you may want to call it) and V6 models has narrowed significantly. ie., what used to be V6 premium is fast evaporating under prevailing $4+ gas prices. No wonder this broader phenomenon affects SUV/CUV purchase decisions too. I am /making an educted guess/ at this point, but has anybody got sales figures where folks who once were in market for V4 Highlander cross shopped for RAV4 ? Also, has V4 RAV4 made more sales compared to V6 ? Now, what /real/ choice do people have that want 4-cylender alternative to CX-9? Try RAV4 mebbe, seriously ! Like somebody said earlier, its your choice what vehicle you want to buy, but make a sensible one at that.
#104 of 472 by msam Jul 26, 2008 (7:00 am)
Even with V6 when I test drive these 3 row SUVs it feels a bit underpowered. So, I think V4 will be worse. For 2 row SUVs V4 may be acceptable. Though since I am in the market for 3 row SUVs and only own V6 vehicles I don't know how that will work out. If one is looking for space, X5 is not an option. For a fuel efficient / gasoline-less vehicle, I am waiting for a plug-in electric vehicle.
#105 of 472 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [qs933] by baggs32 Jul 26, 2008 (7:12 am)
Replying to: qs933 (Jul 25, 2008 11:43 pm) I also don't like the center seating position's ceiling-mounted seat belt. I hope that's for the 3rd row! Right? Nonetheless, that still sounds like a big turnoff to me too. Makes it look like that position, albeit it's probably a not often used position for most, was an afterthought. Also, how is it legal to trust owners to install something so important to personal safety? Did Honda find a loophole in the annals of safety laws or something? They do sell the Pilot as an 8 passenger SUV so I would expect nothing less than 8 *FACTORY INSTALLED* 3-point safetly belts. Do any other mfrs do this too? I never noticed it before. Replies to this message: qs933 (Jul 26, 2008 1:37 pm) baggs32 (Jul 26, 2008 5:30 pm) qs933 (Jul 26, 2008 6:41 pm)
#106 of 472 Re: Self conflicting statements [ch1rravu] by aviboy97 Jul 26, 2008 (8:27 am)
Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 25, 2008 7:46 pm) The CX-9 is reality is not selling "3,000 below invoice". There is a $3000 dealer engagement money on the car, that makes it appear "$3000" below invoice. The CX-9 is not on a stretched Ford Edge platform. The Ford Edge is on Mazda's platform. Any educated automotive person know that the platform does not make the vehicle what it is, but rather what is placed on it. While CR had red dots for every catagorie on the CX-9 except for the audio system controls, it appears that CR based their reliability on that alone. Makes no sense. Besides, Toyota is not CR's favorite anymore with constant issues in quality and reliability as of late. We all know CR is not perfect, and you are nieve if you think they are. The CX-9 is not a "one trick pony". It happens to do everything better then the Highlander, except straight line acceleration and a slim FE average. To me, Toyota's are highly over rated. Yes, they are good mechanically, however, they have some of the cheapest materials I have ever seen on the interior. Styling makes me want to hang my self. And the drive....it the most slushy, non responsive vehicles on the market. While they get good remarks for dependability (which has taken a HUGE hit lately) they consistently rate near the bottom in comparison tests.
#107 of 472 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [baggs32] by qs933 Jul 26, 2008 (1:37 pm)
Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 26, 2008 7:12 am) I also don't like the center seating position's ceiling-mounted seat belt. I hope that's for the 3rd row! Right? If I remember correctly, both the second and third row in the Pilot use a ceiling-mounted seatbelt. It's actually fairly common. Both the Nissan Murano (a two-row CUV) and the Mazda CX-9 use roof-mounted belts for the center position in the second row. As I mentioned, the Highlander has a seat-mounted center belt for the second row. Keep in mind: I'm sure the ceiling-mounted belt is just as safe as a seat-mounted belt. and it's far better than just a lap belt only that used to be common in center seating position. Replies to this message: baggs32 (Jul 26, 2008 5:30 pm) qs933 (Jul 26, 2008 6:41 pm)
#108 of 472 Re: Self conflicting statements [ch1rravu] by nxs138 Jul 26, 2008 (2:12 pm)
Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 25, 2008 7:46 pm) Mazda is offering more discount (over $3K-4K under invoice!!), if CX-9 roped in that many awards, why does it need that /rebate/ push ? All we are hearing is one is lucky if Highlander can be had for under 1K below invoice. Let me illuminate you on why the Highlander might sell only $1k below invoice: MSRP Highlander Limited AWD: $34,350 Invoice Price: $30,571 Difference: $3779 MSRP CX-9 GT AWD: $34,655 Invoice Price: $32,041 Difference: $2614 Basically, the Highlander has a much lower invoice price than the CX-9. That's why dealers would likely not sell for thousands below invoice, since invoice is already low! So you're making fun of the CX-9 by saying you can get it $3000 below invoice, which would be $29,041. Yet you're somewhat proud to say that you can get the Highlander $1000 below invoice, which would be $29,571...IT'S THE SAME PRICE AS THE CX-9! You obviously have a bias against the Mazda, that's fine, but come on, at least do a bit of research before spouting off.
#109 of 472 No Bias by ch1rravu Jul 26, 2008 (2:58 pm)
No bias here, letting the cars speak about themselves and their sales/volume/appreciation/safety/better-value-proposition sell themselves. Obviously, I have no incentive to sell a highlader or a Pilot or a CX-9. Since you did not make it clear earlier, I don't know about you though! Aviboy - time to finish your education, fast! Recession coming .. "So let me explain more gently: genetically speaking, the CX-9 is actually a closer relation to the Ford Edge" NYTIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/automobiles/autoreviews/08AUTO.html "It looks like a longer version of the CX-7 but is based on the stretched platform of the Ford Edge" -- consum' 'rports Good choice award from consum' 'rports, Highlander TOPS all competitors, CX-9 lower mid-pack 4th. You like CX-9, please go ahead put your money in one, but first-drive alone is not what you should plunk your money over. No need to explain pricing - be your own judge on what people paid experiences rigbht here on TownHall for all three models. And we are not even pricing low-maintenance and resale values into the equation. // MSAM // Highlander beat every other SUV/CUV either loaded/unloaded in every category., and it also brakes/stops better! Mebbe to some v4 still a viable option., obviously, until last model year V4 sold in decent volume, its not like every AMERICAN grew larger and grew their families in just one year to make V4 a history !! Some folks need more volume doesn't necessarily haul 7 folks all at the same time! Let the better, well-rounded vehicle take the category, and sales., just not a one-trickeroo Replies to this message: nxs138 (Jul 26, 2008 3:33 pm) msam (Jul 26, 2008 5:37 pm) aviboy97 (Jul 27, 2008 6:31 pm)
#110 of 472 Re: No Bias [ch1rravu] by nxs138 Jul 26, 2008 (3:33 pm)
Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 26, 2008 2:58 pm) So why are Highlander sales volumes down 31% over last year, and CX-9 sales down only 6%? And remember, as you like to repeat, this is a top-rated Consumer Reports recommended vehicle, and it still loss 31% in sales! I guess the people are voting with their wallets and figuring out that the new Highlander doesn't really bring that much new stuff to the table as compared to the outgoing version. To show you how well the CX-9 is doing, the GMC Acadia is down 40% in sales as compared to last year. Even the Pilot is down 20%. So the CX-9 is not really the one-trick pony you think it is, sales remain steady as other CUVs are tanking. That kinda blows your argument, doesn't it? And as for myself, I'm just a guy that did a lot of research before buying the CX-9. The Highlander would have been our 2nd choice, but we thought the CX-9 drove more like a car, which is what we wanted.
#111 of 472 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [qs933] by baggs32 Jul 26, 2008 (5:30 pm)
Replying to: qs933 (Jul 26, 2008 1:37 pm) I've seen ceiling mounted shoulder belts before. What was it you meant by having to install it in the Pilot though? I've been in the back seat of the CX-9 a few times and never noticed a ceiling mounted shoulder belt. That's not to say it isn't there. I just didn't pay attention to it I guess. Do you just pull it down from the headliner or what? Replies to this message: qs933 (Jul 26, 2008 6:41 pm)