Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

442 messages, Last post on Oct 24, 2009 at 8:44 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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#173 of 442 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 442 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...
#175 of 442 Re: AWD [baggs32] by aviboy97 Aug 02, 2008 (5:42 am)
Replying to: baggs32 (Aug 01, 2008 1:26 pm) Ford and Mazda use different AWD systems. While they seem similar, and they are, they are different. They are both FWD biased AWD systems. Also, Haldex supplies the AWD systems for the Taurus / Taurus X and former 500 / Freestyle. The Fusion and Edge / Flex use Fords in house AWD, which again, is similar to Mazda's. 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. Replies to this message: baggs32 (Aug 03, 2008 6:00 pm) aviboy97 (Aug 04, 2008 5:58 am)
#176 of 442 Re: sales figures [qs933] by ceric Aug 02, 2008 (9:54 pm)
Replying to: qs933 (Aug 02, 2008 2:13 am) > A 30% drop is not good, but that's not quite the "13,000/month" and corresponding "50%" drop that you're claiming. 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. Replies to this message: qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 1:28 am) ceric (Aug 03, 2008 8:41 am) qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 12:52 pm)
#177 of 442 Re: sales figures [ceric] by qs933 Aug 03, 2008 (1:28 am)
Replying to: ceric (Aug 02, 2008 9:54 pm) 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. 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. Replies to this message: ceric (Aug 03, 2008 8:41 am) qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 12:52 pm)
#178 of 442 Re: sales figures [qs933] by ceric Aug 03, 2008 (8:41 am)
Replying to: qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 1:28 am) > No problem. I can understand viewing roughly 2,000 units as nothing more than a rounding error when you're talking about sales volume. You did mean 1,000 right? (13000-12000 = 1000, not 2000) 1000/12000 is about 8% off. True, the Highlander sale dropped because of '08 coming out. Between 12/06 to 05/07 Highlander was selling between 10,000 to 12,000 every month. Replies to this message: qs933 (Aug 03, 2008 12:52 pm)
#179 of 442 Re: sales figures [ceric] by qs933 Aug 03, 2008 (12:52 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Aug 03, 2008 8:41 am) Actually you were over 4,000 units off (13,000 - the actual 8,800), but my comment about it being a "rounding error" was just a poor attempt at humor (the CX9's sales volume -- even in a good month -- is less than the margin of error in our discussions of the Highlander).
#180 of 442 Re: AWD [aviboy97] by baggs32 Aug 03, 2008 (6:00 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Aug 02, 2008 5:42 am) Thanks for the lesson avi, but I'm afraid I knew all of that already. Hopefully someone else learned something from your hard work though. The Ford press release I posted stated several times that the AWD system in the Fusion, and a couple of other models, does shift power to individual wheels. That's the first I've heard of that too and I'm just fishing to see if anyone knows if it's true or not. Based on the information in this article that I the original question was posed, I'm guessing no one will say it is true. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Aug 04, 2008 5:58 am)
#181 of 442 Re: AWD [baggs32] by aviboy97 Aug 04, 2008 (5:58 am)
Replying to: baggs32 (Aug 03, 2008 6:00 pm) lol....not much hard work on my part. I have posted that info several times, in several threads!....However, if one person got something out of it, it was worth it!
#182 of 442 Afraid 08 MDX sales are cutting into both Pilots and Highlanders by ch1rravu Aug 06, 2008 (2:01 pm)
Seeing the going prices on 08 MDX models, base model going for 33K, and top-of-the-line between 36K - 37K, certainly cutting into sales of top-end models of both platforms. Dunno what CX-9 purchasers cross-shop with though, Replies to this message: ceric (Aug 06, 2008 2:26 pm)