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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#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)
#183 of 442 Re: Afraid 08 MDX sales are cutting into both Pilots and Highlanders [ch1rr by ceric Aug 06, 2008 (2:26 pm)
Replying to: ch1rravu (Aug 06, 2008 2:01 pm) I don't know about you but I would not buy any SUV/CUV that drinks premium fuel. To me, the extra horse power/torque is not why I buy SUV/CUV for. I can complete understand the point of high-end luxury and sports car requiring premium fuel, though. People who buy them probably could care less about gas price. People are getting a fully loaded 2008 CX9 (MSRP for $40K+) for $31K to $33K. According to you, that is still less than the "base" model of MDX. Granted, MDX is more sporty (pulling 0.84g instead of 0.8g) and has better SH-AWD (instead of ATS-AWD). MDX is not as dominating as few years ago when Acura can charge mark-up over MSRP for them. Those days are long gone. I considered MDX before I bought CX9, but few things turned me off. - expensive (at least $8000 more comparably equipped - MSRP-wise) - small (wider but smaller in all else) - premium gas - no SmartKey (I am addicted to it. My key is always in my pocket.) - Acura does not give you better service than Honda/Toyota/Mazda but charge you more for it.
#184 of 442 Premium or Regular gas .. by ch1rravu Aug 07, 2008 (6:29 am)
As much as I had aversion on Premium fuel, it may ought to be a lesser turn-off these days. Say, you find a decent station that has premimum gas 20 cents over unleaded gas 3.80., its about 5% premium over your total Gas bill. Hence, premium fuel argument is less compelling these days .. compared to yester years. (Obviously, folks say, when gas prices are already that high, why pay an even a penny extra !? Can't debate too much on psychological/emotional points !! Compare that to 20 cents when the gas prices were $1.30 ., it was over 15% extra on your total gas bill compared to the unleaded gas bill !! One of my cars accepts both, with regular/unleaded it gives decent performance, while with Premium gas, it gives out about 4% more horses with lean burning and better compression (company spec numbers, I am not making up ..). So, when/if I find a gas station with only 20 cents over unleaded prices, I rather fill-up with premium these days (see the above 5% only extra in bill point). But I do see there are a few gas stations - that want to charge 30 cents or more for premium., if their regular price is decent, I simply go with regular gas. By all means - I won't recommend premium for cars that are happy with regular gas, and have no added benefit with Premium gas ..