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Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

549 messages,  Last post on Feb 11, 2013 at 8:48 PM

You are in the Mazda CX-9 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 24 of 56

#224 of 549 SUV shopping by eagle63

Sep 03, 2008 (7:10 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!

#225 of 549 Re: [citivas] by qs933

Sep 03, 2008 (11:46 pm)

Replying to: citivas (Sep 02, 2008 7:44 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?

#226 of 549 Re: August sales [aviboy97] by ceric

Sep 04, 2008 (10:17 am)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Sep 03, 2008 2:56 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.

#227 of 549 Re: SUV shopping [eagle63] by ceric

Sep 04, 2008 (10:26 am)

Replying to: eagle63 (Sep 03, 2008 7:10 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 549 Re: August sales [ceric] by kanada

Sep 04, 2008 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: ceric (Sep 03, 2008 1:28 pm)
do we know how many cx-9s have actually been put on the market? the volume might be less due to availability.

#229 of 549 Re: [qs933] by citivas

Sep 04, 2008 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: qs933 (Sep 03, 2008 11:46 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.

#230 of 549 Re: August sales [kanada] by citivas

Sep 04, 2008 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: kanada (Sep 04, 2008 4:23 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 549 Re: August sales [ceric] by citivas

Sep 04, 2008 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: ceric (Sep 04, 2008 10:17 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?

#232 of 549 Re: August sales [citivas] by ceric

Sep 04, 2008 (10:48 pm)

Replying to: citivas (Sep 04, 2008 8:45 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.

#233 of 549 Re: [citivas] by qs933

Sep 04, 2008 (11:09 pm)

Replying to: citivas (Sep 04, 2008 8:40 pm)
And if you followed all the posts you'd see that memory seats have already been annoucned for the 2009.
 
Yes, I've been following the posts. Thanks for asking. You may want to double check that post you're referring to (#217, I believe), as it mentions that an 8-way power driver's seat will be optional on the 4-cylinder model that's introduced in January. An 8-way power driver's seat is already standard on the Sport and Limited.
 
There's nothing about a memory option being added. If I'm looking in the wrong place, please share your source.
 
I'm curious where the Highlander's seats are being repurposed from? Which model shares the same seats?
 
Maybe you'd be happier if Toyota took the approach Chrysler did with their full size vans, where a mid-80s van was essentially the same as one bought 10 years later, with no new features or improvements over the vehicle's life cycle?

Messages Page 24 of 56

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