Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

443 messages, Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 11:47 AM

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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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#156 of 443 Re: AWD [cx7lover] by ceric Jul 31, 2008 (10:16 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Jul 31, 2008 7:11 am) It sounds to me that the AWD system in Mazda is superior to that of Pilot or Highlander. I wonder why Mazda literatures don't "sell" it in more details and more aggressively. I know VTM-4 of Pilot is passive (reactive) and lockable (good for some people who need it). Not sure about the Toyota system. SH-AWD of Acura is very advanced but its cost prohibits it to be installed on Hondas. Maybe because of the 90%/10% torque split (above 10mph), the AWD system is always working on CX9. That might explain the worse MPG with AWD on CX9 than that of Pilot or Highlander. The FWD models of CX9 seems to be doing well as far as MPG is concerned. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jul 31, 2008 2:03 pm) ceric (Jul 31, 2008 2:43 pm) aviboy97 (Jul 31, 2008 3:41 pm) and 9 more...
#157 of 443 Re: Almost true, Toyota/Scion dealers arrived :-) [ch1rravu] by ceric Jul 31, 2008 (10:22 am)
Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 31, 2008 5:40 am) ... Many Toyota dealers these days call themselves Toyota/Scion dealers. So, solely Toyota dealers may not hold true these days, but considering the volume and prior knowledge, betcha those dealers are just as capable of servicing Toyotas just as fine prior to Scion arrival. ... Scion is 100% owned by Toyota and only offer 3 vehicles (if my memory serves me well). Mazda is only 30+% owned by Ford and offer many more vehicles than Scion. So, I consider Scion is part of Toyota. Scion vehicles are sold as Toyota in Japan. Mazda/Ford relationship is more distant. My nearby Ford/Mazda combo dealer only has 1 master technician for Mazda. When he is off, there is no Mazda repair scheduled.
#158 of 443 Re: [cx7lover] by citivas Jul 31, 2008 (10:47 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Jul 31, 2008 7:15 am) cx7lover wrote: If you want the other two, go get either This was listed as a reply to one of my posts but I have no idea what you are referring to. What "other two"? I haven't expressed an overall preference for any of the three vehicles discussed in this thread. I've listed pros and cons to each (way back in this thread). Someone asked today for an analysis of the navigation systems and I ranked the cars for that specifically, but that is hardly the only factor in an overall vehicle decision. Replies to this message: cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:43 am) citivas (Aug 01, 2008 9:17 am)
#159 of 443 Re: AWD [ceric] by aviboy97 Jul 31, 2008 (2:03 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Jul 31, 2008 10:16 am) I would not call Mazda's AWD "superior" to Honda's VTM-4 or Toyota's full time AWD system. I would say Toyota's is better because it uses a static torque split AWD that is 50/50 all the time. The Mazda CX-9 mpg's vary only 1 mpg from AWD and FWD applications. Also, it is 100% FWD until slippage occurs, and then up to 50% can be distributed to the rear as needed. Replies to this message: ceric (Jul 31, 2008 2:43 pm) aviboy97 (Jul 31, 2008 3:41 pm) cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:33 am) and 8 more...
#160 of 443 Re: Almost true, Toyota/Scion dealers arrived :-) [citivas] by nxs138 Jul 31, 2008 (2:36 pm)
Replying to: citivas (Jul 31, 2008 7:07 am) The Mazda and Highlander NAV systems are not game changers by any means. The Pilot system sounds neat, almost like the Ford Sync system--too bad the Sync system was not installed in the Mazdas. I would have loved a system like the Pilot's...but we didn't like the look of the Pilot at all, and it lacks a bit in power, imo...... Replies to this message: ceric (Jul 31, 2008 2:51 pm)
#161 of 443 Re: AWD [aviboy97] by ceric Jul 31, 2008 (2:43 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Jul 31, 2008 2:03 pm) aviboy97, what you described is a typical "passive" AWD. It detects slippage and reacts. Mazda's ATS-AWD is called "active" for a reason. Here is what the Australian Mazda website describe the Mazda Speed6's AWD (similar one is used on CX7 and CX9) ... http://www.mazda.com.au/Technology%20and%20Environment/Driving%20technology/Acti- ve%20Torque%20Split.aspx ... On top of that, there are three modes Normal, Sports and Snow plus a Power TakeOff module to assist fast acceleration by sending more torque to the rear. It also adjust torque split at turns. i.e. it is more active than passive. However, I can't seem to able to find the 90/10 torque-split that the prevous post refers to. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Jul 31, 2008 3:41 pm) cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:33 am) ceric (Aug 01, 2008 8:45 am) and 1 more... aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 10:44 am) and 5 more...
#162 of 443 Re: Almost true, Toyota/Scion dealers arrived :-) [nxs138] by ceric Jul 31, 2008 (2:51 pm)
Replying to: nxs138 (Jul 31, 2008 2:36 pm) No doubt in my opinion that Honda/Acura has the best OE Navi system in the industry . I have '05 Toyota Prius and '08 Mazda CX9, both have OE navi systems Both are OEM from Denso. Other than some graphic interface differences, they are very similar in usage model, also look and feel. They both suck compared with stat-of-the-art portable units. However, I cannot say that the one on my Prius is better than the one on my CX9. Maybe this is not a fair comparison since the '08 models of Toyota might have made some advancements in this area. Anyway, the speed-lockout on Toyota/Mazda is a big headache. Buyers be aware of it. One needs to buy an aftermarket kit to bypass it (essentially cuts the VSS input to the NAVI unit when needed).
#163 of 443 Re: AWD [ceric] by aviboy97 Jul 31, 2008 (3:41 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Jul 31, 2008 2:43 pm) I know it's not a reactive system, but, it does go from 100:0 to 50:50. It is not 90:10 by default like the previous poster said it is. In the Mazda, if you are on dry pavement and going straight, the system reads 100:0. If you enter a corner or are on optimum driving pavement (wet or slippery) then you are anywhere from 100:0 to 50:50. The power distribution is measured in torque, not total power or horsepower. Replies to this message: cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:33 am) ceric (Aug 01, 2008 8:45 am) cx7lover (Aug 02, 2008 12:52 am) aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 10:44 am) ceric (Aug 01, 2008 10:51 am) baggs32 (Aug 01, 2008 1:26 pm) and 3 more...
#164 of 443 Re: AWD [aviboy97] by cx7lover Aug 01, 2008 (2:33 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Jul 31, 2008 3:41 pm) Yes it does, it's never in 100%FWD mode unless you're in a crawl. This is from a speed6 driving event pamphlet. The AWD on the CX-7/9 is almost the same, but the mounting for the rear diff is much more secure, along with a cheaper setup that isn't as performance oriented (no limited slip) http://i33.tinypic.com/24q1k0p.jpg I can't find the link to where I found out it's 90/10 but it is. Replies to this message: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 8:45 am) cx7lover (Aug 02, 2008 12:52 am) aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 10:44 am) ceric (Aug 01, 2008 10:51 am) baggs32 (Aug 01, 2008 1:26 pm) aviboy97 (Aug 02, 2008 5:42 am) and 2 more...
#165 of 443 Re: [citivas] by cx7lover Aug 01, 2008 (2:43 am)
Replying to: citivas (Jul 31, 2008 10:47 am) Other two meaning Pilot or Highlander, you seem to put them on a higher level because of their iPod interfacing ability. If I couldn't have iPod with Bluetooth, then I would just buy an AUX in cable and control the iPod myself. The click wheel makes that possible because it's simple, I can change songs without looking. Replies to this message: citivas (Aug 01, 2008 9:17 am)