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SUVs Mazda CX-9 2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander
371 messages, Last post on Jul 02, 2009 at 9:55 AM
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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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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.
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Replying to: cx7lover (Aug 01, 2008 3:33 am) 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.
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 11:44 am) |
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 01, 2008 11:44 am) 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. 
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Replying to: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 11:32 am) 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. 
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Replying to: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 9:45 am) 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. |
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Replying to: ceric (Aug 01, 2008 11:32 am) 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.
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Replying to: baggs32 (Aug 01, 2008 2:26 pm) Now, on Ford's AWD Explorer and Mountaineer, that is a true full time AWD system that has a center diff and can distribute power virtually to any single wheel. The Edge/Fusion/Flex do not have a center diff, and cannot do that. They can only send power from front to back, not side to side (like the Explorer / Mountaineer AWD can) unless equipped with limited slip , like the Mazdaspeed6. Honda's SH-AWD is far more advanced then Ford/Mazda and Toyota in this case. SH-AWD is more like Subaru's Symmetrical AWD or Audi's Quattro (non Haldex Quattro). In my opinion, Mazda's system works very well with how they build cars. While there system is not the most advanced, their total vehicle package (suspension, steering and braking) assist in how well the car will grip the road in addition to the AWD system. In dry conditions, the CX-9 (or any Mazda AWD vehicle) is glued to the road. For example the Mazdaspeed6 has much better road manners then the Legacy GT Spec B which has a FAR more advanced AWD system, but can't handle or grip the road like the MS6 can. In foul weather, the CX-9 will do just fine. The cars weight helps keep the car dug into the snow, and the AWD keep you moving. It does do quite well. One thing to remember with any AWD vehicle. It is not how good the AWD system is, but rather how well it works with the vehicle that was built upon it. AWD is not everything. You need a total package (brakes, tires, suspension, ans steering) to compliment the AWD system so you can get the most out of it. It is up to the individual to asses what they think a total package is. Is it dry road handing? Is it deep snow driving? That is why all these cars are so different. One car is not better then the other for every situation.
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Replying to: qs933 (Aug 02, 2008 3:13 am) Indeed, I overlooked the sales figure of Highlander for July,2007. In May, 2007, Highlander sold almost 12,000 unit. Check autodeadline.com for data. I assumed that two months should not make such drop in sales. Boy! I was wrong! My mistake in that sense. On AWD, I need to check my CX9 workshop menual to see if there is any reference to the aforementioned limited slip differential.
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Replying to: ceric (Aug 02, 2008 10:54 pm) I assumed that two months should not make such drop in sales. Boy! I was wrong! My mistake in that sense. No problem. I can understand viewing roughly 2,000 units as nothing more than a rounding error when you're talking about sales volume. I don't remember when the 2008 Highlander first hit dealers' lots last summer, but I wouldn't be surprised if sales dropped as the '07s were blown out and the '08s made their way to shore. In any case, I don't think it really matters if one vehicle sells more than another. Mass market popularity doesn't necessarily equate to superiority.
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