Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

472 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 5:09 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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#223 of 472 Re: August sales [ceric] by aviboy97 Sep 03, 2008 (1:56 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Sep 03, 2008 12:28 pm) I'm surprised with the Pilot sales being higher then the Highlander. The CX-9 sales seem right on par with what they (Mazda) expected. Replies to this message: ceric (Sep 04, 2008 9:17 am) citivas (Sep 04, 2008 7:45 pm) ceric (Sep 04, 2008 9:48 pm)
#224 of 472 SUV shopping by eagle63 Sep 03, 2008 (6:10 pm)
I'm in the market for a new SUV and both the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander are on my short list of rigs to check out. I currently own a 2001 Tahoe, and am looking for something a bit smaller. (but definitely not a compact suv - more like a medium sized suv) I've got a million questions, but my primary one right now is with the size difference between the Highlander and the Pilot. My assumption based on seeing them on the highways is that the Pilot is considerably larger. But after looking at the cubic feet of cargo room I'm perplexed - the Highlander shows a max of 95 cu. ft and the Pilot only 88. (I'm assuming "max cargo" means with all rear seats folded down) Are these 2 suv's really in the same class? Are my eyes deceiving me?? Thanks! Replies to this message: ceric (Sep 04, 2008 9:26 am)
#225 of 472 Re: [citivas] by qs933 Sep 03, 2008 (10:46 pm)
Replying to: citivas (Sep 02, 2008 6:44 am) That is what is cynical about it. Sorry; now I think I know what you were referring to: the cyclical (not "cynical") way that Toyota adds features. The product plan is probably set for the entire life cycle of the current design. I'm sure we'll see those memory seats in 2011, which should be the mid-cycle refresh. I'd go back to my original statement, though: if the lack of memory seats was a huge factor for people not purchasing the Highlander, then it's pretty obvious that Toyota is missing the mark by not equipping its vehicles with them from the very start. I would be willing to wager that's not the case and that the feature just isn't as important relative to others. That's not to say it isn't important to you. I guess the same "cyclical" criticism could be applied to all manufacturers and how they manage their products. Honda usually adds a "special edition" in the final year of a design to boost sales. Should owners during the early years of the design feel deprived that it wasn't offered from the very beginning? Replies to this message: citivas (Sep 04, 2008 7:40 pm) qs933 (Sep 04, 2008 10:09 pm) ch1rravu (Sep 05, 2008 6:09 am) citivas (Sep 05, 2008 6:42 am) and 2 more... aviboy97 (Sep 09, 2008 6:22 am)
#226 of 472 Re: August sales [aviboy97] by ceric Sep 04, 2008 (9:17 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 03, 2008 1:56 pm) I believe Mazda is very happy with the sales of CX9, which used to be around 2000 units/month. Heavy incentive did help. With more CX9s on the road, people will start to pay attention and put CX9 on their shopping list. Sales will pick up slowly. If I had to make the choice all over again, I still would buy CX9. Highlander and Pilot simply don't have all the features that I wanted, besides the styling and driving dynamics. Replies to this message: citivas (Sep 04, 2008 7:45 pm) ceric (Sep 04, 2008 9:48 pm)
#227 of 472 Re: SUV shopping [eagle63] by ceric Sep 04, 2008 (9:26 am)
Replying to: eagle63 (Sep 03, 2008 6:10 pm) All those numbers could be very misleading. You should go sit in them and check them out carefully. I usually pick an autoshow (there should be one near you at certain time of the year) and sit in vehicles before my decision is made. Doing this can avoid pressure from salespersons. You should also check out the CX9 while you are at that. It has 100.7cu.ft of cargo space.
#228 of 472 Re: August sales [ceric] by kanada Sep 04, 2008 (3:23 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Sep 03, 2008 12:28 pm) do we know how many cx-9s have actually been put on the market? the volume might be less due to availability. Replies to this message: citivas (Sep 04, 2008 7:42 pm)
#229 of 472 Re: [qs933] by citivas Sep 04, 2008 (7:40 pm)
Replying to: qs933 (Sep 03, 2008 10:46 pm) No, I was referring to Toyota as CYNICAL not cyclical. And if you followed all the posts you'd see that memory seats have already been annoucned for the 2009. My point remains the same -- to intentionally hold back Limited options Toyota has already developed for the same seat and that they know some of their customers will want just so they can use it as a selling point for a new model a few years later is cynical, or certainly not very respectful to their customers. I will grant you this -- clearly if Toyota believed it was a make-or-break for a huge portion of customers they wouldn't do this. But they know it is an issue for a subset of customers and they don't hold it back as you suggest for economic reasons (since they would profit from it) or because they can't prioritize it (since they've already developed it for the seats they are re-purposing from other models). Their sole reason is to have a marketing point for a new model year. They have it planned that way from before the first car of the first model year every sees the light of day. Replies to this message: qs933 (Sep 04, 2008 10:09 pm) ch1rravu (Sep 05, 2008 6:09 am) citivas (Sep 05, 2008 6:42 am) qs933 (Sep 06, 2008 2:27 am) and 1 more... aviboy97 (Sep 09, 2008 6:22 am)
#230 of 472 Re: August sales [kanada] by citivas Sep 04, 2008 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: kanada (Sep 04, 2008 3:23 pm) I don't think so. There are a LOT available. There is no shortage. Which is why Mazda is offering $3-4K incentives on them. Try searching inventories online. There are hundreds in-stock within 20 miles of me. I really like this car so this is not a dis, just refuting the idea that their sales figures are low due to limited availability.
#231 of 472 Re: August sales [ceric] by citivas Sep 04, 2008 (7:45 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Sep 04, 2008 9:17 am) I'm curious what features, unrelated to drive and styling, you liked in the CX-9 but coudln't get in either of the other two? Replies to this message: ceric (Sep 04, 2008 9:48 pm)
#232 of 472 Re: August sales [citivas] by ceric Sep 04, 2008 (9:48 pm)
Replying to: citivas (Sep 04, 2008 7:45 pm) To me, what were missing..(in Jan, 2008) Highlander: HID headlights, split 3rd row, power front seats (w/ memory) Pilot: HID headlights, smart-key system, amber signal lights (dislike red ones), also, 6-speed tranny with M-mode.