Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

468 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 11:15 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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#159 of 468 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 468 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 468 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 468 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 468 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 468 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 468 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)
#166 of 468 Re: AWD [cx7lover] by ceric Aug 01, 2008 (8:45 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:33 am) I read your post a couple times. You seemed to mean that CX9 has no limited slip differential. Is that correct? The Australian Mazda website seems to disagree.... "A new rear differential with greater torque capacity is employed by the system to deliver a high level of reliability. Increased torsional rigidity of the propeller shaft and rear differential mount improves the response of torque transfer to the rear wheels and delivers a more rigid feel to the ride under acceleration. And a limited slip differential is used in the rear differential optimizes transfer of torque to the left and right rear wheels, realizing solid traction and linear vehicle control that delivers a stable feeling ride when cornering." Replies to this message: cx7lover (Aug 02, 2008 12:52 am)
#167 of 468 Re: [cx7lover] by citivas Aug 01, 2008 (9:17 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:43 am) If you followed this thread you'd see I have been even-handed with all the cars and ranked the CX-9 first in other areas. The CX-9 doesn't have to be first in everything to be a good car, so no need to defend it... Controlling the iPod from the iPod itself is not as ideal or as safe as being able to control it from the steering wheel or with voice commands, as you can do on the Pilot. And you still have to buy the after market switch to even get the aux to work and still have sat radio. Then you have to run a second cable to power/change the ipod while you use it (unless you are using it for short time and charging it elsewhere) and order yet another part from Crutchfield (etc.) so that you don't get static with the CX-9 while charging and playing the ipod through the aux at the same time. It's doable but I don't think the average person would say its as elegant a solution as the Pilot or even the Highlander in this particular category.
#168 of 468 sales figures by ceric Aug 01, 2008 (10:32 am)
Sales figures of July/2008 Honda Pilot: 7486 Toyota Highlander: 6763 (including Hybrid) Mazda CX9: 1965 (others, competiting) GM Lambdas (triplet only): 11,600 (combined) Acura MDX: 3477 This may seem like CX9 is selling poorly, when in fact it holds steady compared with 2007. Both Pilot and Highlander were selling at nearly 13,000/month July last year. So, both dropped nearly 50% compared with last year's sales figures. Replies to this message: slamtaz (Aug 01, 2008 6:42 pm) qs933 (Aug 02, 2008 2:13 am) ceric (Aug 02, 2008 9:54 pm) qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 1:28 am) and 2 more...