Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

478 messages, Last post on Nov 27, 2009 at 7:13 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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#165 of 478 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 478 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 478 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 478 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...
#169 of 478 Re: AWD [cx7lover] by aviboy97 Aug 01, 2008 (10:44 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 2:33 am) Yes it does, it's never in 100%FWD mode unless you're in a crawl. This is from a speed6 driving event pamphlet. I attended the Mazdaspeed6 driving event at Fort Worth TX in November 2005. What Mazda means by that is the rear diff is active, however, power is not being applyed to the rear wheels. The rear diff is active the rest of the time and power is applied as needed. There was an extensive Q & A session that related to Mazdas ATS AWD system. I have the Mazdaspeed6 drive event guide book too. There are still some out there that think Mazda's AWD system is a Haldex system. That, is not true either. Replies to this message: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 10:51 am) baggs32 (Aug 01, 2008 1:26 pm) aviboy97 (Aug 02, 2008 5:42 am) baggs32 (Aug 03, 2008 6:00 pm) and 1 more...
#170 of 478 Re: AWD [aviboy97] by ceric Aug 01, 2008 (10:51 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 10:44 am) Thanks for the info. It makes sense. By keeping the rear differential active, it certainly should respond more quickly, but it may also consume more energy. So far, the AWD on my CX9 has been working very smoothly (not on snow yet). I can't really tell when it is working or not.
#171 of 478 Re: AWD [aviboy97] by baggs32 Aug 01, 2008 (1:26 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 10:44 am) So Ford, like Mazda, says their AWD system can "predict" slip and react before the slippage actually occurs too. According to this Ford press release their AWD system can send power to any one of the 4 wheels sort of like SH-AWD (but I'm guessing not in the same way). Would the Ford and Mazda systems be one in the same or is the Ford system actually better? I know the default setting of the system in my Explorer waits until slippage occurs, and it can be felt to an extent (unless I pop it into 4WD-Hi or Lo of course). But the system in our Escape is seamless and I've never felt the front wheels slip or ever even noticed that it was in 4WD mode. And yes, it is a "4WD" model. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Aug 02, 2008 5:42 am) baggs32 (Aug 03, 2008 6:00 pm) aviboy97 (Aug 04, 2008 5:58 am)
#172 of 478 Re: sales figures [ceric] by slamtaz Aug 01, 2008 (6:42 pm)
Replying to: 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. My interpretation of the above: Both Pilot and Highlander sold poorly this year, dropping nearly 50% to only 7,4++ and 6,7++ respectively, though these figures are still far better than the CX9 which is steadily selling poorly at a current level of 1,9++ Regardless of the figures, i believe that all three have their own strengths and weakness and each may certainly appeal differently to everyone.
#173 of 478 Re: AWD [ceric] by cx7lover Aug 02, 2008 (12:52 am)
Replying to: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 8:45 am) They probably just got that info from the Speed6, but the CX-7/9 infact does not have a limited slip. The speed6 does. The AWD is seemless, wheel spin never happens, unlike the reactive system on the Highlander. The Honda has a system that isn't as generous to send power to the rear, most Ridgeline owners report poor snow performance, they share the same AWD.
#174 of 478 Re: sales figures [ceric] by qs933 Aug 02, 2008 (2:13 am)
Replying to: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 10:32 am) 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. Toyota's press release has the following numbers for the Highlander: July 2008: 6,763 July 2007: 8,858 DSR Change: -29.5% Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2008080117514 A 30% drop is not good, but that's not quite the "13,000/month" and corresponding "50%" drop that you're claiming. YTD numbers for the Highlander are off just 8% compared to 2007. Replies to this message: ceric (Aug 02, 2008 9:54 pm) qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 1:28 am) ceric (Aug 03, 2008 8:41 am) and 1 more...