Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

478 messages, Last post on Nov 27, 2009 at 7:13 AM

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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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#241 of 478 Re: [ceric] by elibruno Sep 09, 2008 (4:05 am)
Replying to: ceric (Sep 08, 2008 11:36 pm) look under the second row seats and you will see two large vents that supply the air/heat to the third row. Replies to this message: ceric (Sep 09, 2008 9:43 am)
#242 of 478 Re: [citivas] Who pays for new model-year's development costs? [ch1rravu] by aviboy97 Sep 09, 2008 (6:22 am)
Replying to: ch1rravu (Sep 05, 2008 6:09 am) Let's not get crazy here and say Toyota's offers Lexus features in their vehicles and makes them "real affordable". When you get a Toyota with any kind of equipment, they are usually very expensive. Toyota is not a bargain company. Have you ever seen what they charge for the many stupid packages they put in their cars like their stupid $500 arm rest package they are known for doing Toyota is not the only company with variable intake, variable exhaust, direct-injection, 6-speed transmissions, electric-steering, 50-state strict emissions, excellent MPG. I can think of a half dozen other mfgr's that offer that same technology.
#243 of 478 Re: [elibruno] by ceric Sep 09, 2008 (9:43 am)
Replying to: elibruno (Sep 09, 2008 4:05 am) Thanks. I seem to remember seeing that in the manual. I need to go check if they are blocked by the all-weather mats I installed.
#244 of 478 2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander by sleepybubba Sep 09, 2008 (10:45 am)
I ended up buying the 2008 CX-9 GT. On my initial list also were Acura MDX, Highlander and Pilot. I excluded the 2009 Pilot for the bus-like look and ride. Also '09 interior looked more like a bus rather than a family CUV. LOL, even 2008 Pilot interior looked much better than 2009, but when I was ready to buy most of the '08 Pilots were gone. Highlander didn't excite me for the following reasons: a) Everyone and their mother drives one. Certain color combinations were sold at a premium( don't believe me? go find Pearl Highlander with Black leather). The 2nd and 3d row seats didn't pass a test with my 2 boys. They complained that the seats are not very comfortable and the third row space is joke. I hated the non-split 3d row bench too. And finally, the styling of Highlander didn't talk to me. It reminded me a Nissan Maxima 2002-2004: decent car with no character. So in final running there were Acura MDX and CX-9. Given I was not looking for a Navi package, they came very close and I might've ended up with Acura if I was not offered a great deal for CX-9 Grand Touring that basically had exactly the options/ext color/interior color I wanted. I absolutely like the handling of CX-9, the silky smooth transmission (although would prefer the 1st gear a bit longer). The manual override on CX-9 is absolute best IMHO. The ebony interior looks fantastic with grey leather accents (much better than ebony interior on Acura). And of course, the exterior style is astonishing. If you end up getting a CX-9, get Liquid Platinum Metallic Crystal White. IMHO the best colors for this car. Use this link compare CX-9 with Highander or Pilot. Replies to this message: maltb (Sep 10, 2008 7:35 am) sleepybubba (Sep 11, 2008 11:28 am)
#245 of 478 Re: 2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander [sleepybubba] by maltb Sep 10, 2008 (7:35 am)
Replying to: sleepybubba (Sep 09, 2008 10:45 am) "Liquid Platinum Metallic Crystal White" Well i got the Liquid Platinum Metallic but really liked the Crystal White Pearl Mica. I have yet to see a blend of the two colors but it sure sounds interesting. Replies to this message: sleepybubba (Sep 11, 2008 11:28 am)
#246 of 478 Re: 2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander [maltb] by sleepybubba Sep 11, 2008 (11:28 am)
Replying to: maltb (Sep 10, 2008 7:35 am) good catch: the last line should read: Liquid Platinum Metallic or Crystal White. Actually, their Stormy Blue and Black are looking good too.
#247 of 478 Went W/CX-9 Lease by klockboy Sep 11, 2008 (12:19 pm)
Hi Everyone: After reading these Forums for the better part of the last month, I felt like I had to tell you about my deal in hopes of helping someone else out. I decided to Lease a CX-9 GT, List Price $41K for $503 (including 9% PA Sales Tax) for 24 Months W/15K/Year. All I put down was 1st month and inception, which came to $8xx dollars. While I might be giving up some more functionality from both Physical and Technical Aspects with the Pilot, I feel good knowing I am getting a 2nd Year Production Vehicle that meets 95% of my families day to day needs. Also, I went with the 24 month lease because I have no idea where gas prices will be in the future and I do not want to be stuck to a long term commitment realizing that there will be a great deal more fuel efficient SUV's coming to market in the next few years. Hope this information helps someone out in SE Pennsylvania. Thanks and Good Luck. Replies to this message: tidester (Sep 11, 2008 8:47 pm)
#248 of 478 Re: Went W/CX-9 Lease [klockboy] by tidester HOST Sep 11, 2008 (8:47 pm)
Replying to: klockboy (Sep 11, 2008 12:19 pm) You may want to follow up your earlier comments in Mazda CX-9 Lease Questions for the benefit of those who read that discussion. tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper
#249 of 478 premium gas, etc.. by kree Sep 25, 2008 (4:34 pm)
Hi - I'm in the market for a CUV and considering all three a couple of questions I have (any info. would be greatly appreciated) 1. do any/all of these cars require premium gas? 2. does the glass on the rear gate open independently of the gate itself (I know that it does for the Pilot, but not sure of the other two) 3. also, does the remote allow you to pop the rear gate open like a remote open trunk feature on some cars? This is actually an important feature for me as me/wife are often approaching the car with both hands full of groceries, and a remote trunk/gate open is very handy I know that there is a "powergate" option that allows you to close the gate remotely, but I'm asking about a more simple feature that just allows you to pop open the trunk/gate remotely (not close it remotely, which requires a piston/motor) 4. for the dvd systems, can the dvd player be controlled by the stereo/media controls on the front panel, or can it only be controlled by the remote control? thxs again! Replies to this message: citivas (Sep 25, 2008 4:56 pm) mdhutton (Sep 26, 2008 9:11 pm)
#250 of 478 Re: premium gas, etc.. [kree] by citivas Sep 25, 2008 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: kree (Sep 25, 2008 4:34 pm) I'll answer for the Pilot. I know some of the answers for the others but will mostly defer to their owners... 1) None of the three require premium gas. 2) As you said, the Pilot has this feature. 3) Yes, you can open the tailgate with the remote. You can close it with the remote too (at least with the Touring) 4) You can control the audio of the rear DVD from the front controls but not the DVD features itself (menu navigation, play, pause, etc.). However, the remote detaches from the DVD system itself (which is better than having to store it somewhere) and can then be controlled from the front or anywhere in the car. However the front nav screen does not play the video so it can be challenging to control from the front without seeing it. The Toyota can display the video from the front but only when parked. I believe the same is true of the CX-9, but I am just guessing (since the nav is provided by the same company as the Toyota). Good luck.