Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

472 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 5:09 PM

You are in the Mazda CX-9 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

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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#289 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [4kids3dogs2cat] by ceric Nov 04, 2008 (3:14 pm)
Replying to: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 03, 2008 7:29 pm) Dave, Welcome to post more here. I have a CX-9 so I visit here very often (almost on daily basis ). Bluetooth is for hand-free cell phone. With 2009 GT Assist package, it has A2DP support so that you can stream music (from iPod, music-capable cell phone) through the Bluetooth to the stereo of CX9. If you look at the list of CX-9 TSB (another threads), you would see that Mazda is actively trying to fix complaints of CX9 owners. I would say CX9 built after 08/2008 have no applicable TSBs. i.e. the quality is very stable now. Build date can be found on door stickers. (TSB: technical service bulletins) 2007/2008 model owners might need to take care of some production/early model issues. With all the running changes made by Mazda, the later ones are getting better and better. I would probably buy 2009 if I were you, but there are great deals to be had with 2008. Just pick one that is built as later as possible (less TSBs to fix potentially). CX9 has very tight turning circle (37.4ft), which is on par with Camry and Accord. Replies to this message: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 05, 2008 11:49 am) ceric (Nov 05, 2008 4:06 pm) ericw2000 (Nov 13, 2008 1:20 pm) guy1974 (Nov 13, 2008 1:03 pm) citivas (Nov 13, 2008 1:42 pm) guy1974 (Nov 18, 2008 11:57 am) and 1 more...
#290 of 472 new engine for 2009 highlander by nikbert Nov 04, 2008 (7:31 pm)
Even though I'm leaning towards Pilot - this one is definitely interesting http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/04/toyota-announces-all-new-four-cylinder-engine- -for-09-highlander/ (almost) as good as hybrid without the price penalty Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Nov 04, 2008 7:50 pm)
#291 of 472 Re: new engine for 2009 highlander [nikbert] by aviboy97 Nov 04, 2008 (7:50 pm)
Replying to: nikbert (Nov 04, 2008 7:31 pm) Yeah, I noticed that. However, with road tests of the new Toyota Venza with the 2.7L I4 comming back calling it a "dog", I highly doubt it will be a good choice for the heavy Highlander.
#292 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [ceric] by 4kids3dogs2cat Nov 05, 2008 (11:49 am)
Replying to: ceric (Nov 04, 2008 3:14 pm) Thanks ceric. I see that I can't get the rear power liftgate without the NAV screen? I love the former, don't care for the latter. It's a shame I am forced to buy the Navigation system when I don't want it. The power rear lift gate should be standard in all Touring and GT models. I love it in my Sienna. How does the cell phone hook up to the car via bluetooth? Does it come through the sound system in the car and is two-way, like a speakerphone in an office? Thanks! Replies to this message: ceric (Nov 05, 2008 4:06 pm) ericw2000 (Nov 13, 2008 1:20 pm)
#294 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [4kids3dogs2cat] by ceric Nov 05, 2008 (4:06 pm)
Replying to: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 05, 2008 11:49 am) Can't help you on the packaging. I see no difference in 2009, either, on power hatch. For Bluetooth, the incoming sound comes out of the driver's side speak. The microphone is located near the interior light control panel. The nice thing about it is that it also cuts off music when phone call comes in automatically. Depending on your cell phone implementation of Bluetooth, the usage might be slightly different from one phone to another.
#295 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [ceric] by guy1974 Nov 13, 2008 (1:03 pm)
Replying to: ceric (Nov 04, 2008 3:14 pm) Hi, I am, reluctantly, looking to change my Subaru Legacy wagon for a CUV due to the impending birth of twins (to add to my 2 year old daughter). My question is : can three car seats (two rear facing and a toddler forward facing seat) be fitten on the second row bench in any of these vehicles? I like the Honda except for the front styling. The Mazda sounds great and I will be looking at it in more detail soon. The GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook are also possibilities. Thanks for any information. Replies to this message: citivas (Nov 13, 2008 1:42 pm) guy1974 (Nov 18, 2008 11:57 am) citivas (Nov 18, 2008 12:18 pm)
#296 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [4kids3dogs2cat] by ericw2000 Nov 13, 2008 (1:20 pm)
Replying to: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 05, 2008 11:49 am) I bought a CX-9 in June of 2008. I struggled with the navigation w/ the power lift gate issue until the dealer quoted a price within my budget with the nav package. I never needed a navigation device, but now I wouldn't do without it. I wish my map was more up to date. As far as bluetooth, I found it very easy to pair my phone with the bluetooth. The sound comes from the front driver's side speaker. I have trouble using the voice dialer as too many of my contacts sound similar, but everyone says the sound quality is clear on the other end. As far as handling and turning radius (from your nov. 3 post), I'm very pleased with my CX-9. I drove Ford trucks before this, including 2 Expeditions, and my wife has a Honda Odyssey, and I can say that the CX-9 handles the best of all of them. Parking is very easy. I've also had no problems now in 5000 miles other than the peeling door handles, which is addressed in a TSB and will be replaced by the dealer.
#297 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [guy1974] by citivas Nov 13, 2008 (1:42 pm)
Replying to: guy1974 (Nov 13, 2008 1:03 pm) This was an issue for us too so we tried putting 3 car seats in the second row in most of our test drives. All of ours are front-facing at this point. However, we've been there with the rear-facing. Actually, alternating front and rear facing is usually easier than all front facing in most cases, though that is a short term issue as you'll be turning them around soon enough... One of the reasons we ended up with the '09 Pilot was this exact issue. The Highlander simply cannot fit 3 car seats side-by-side in most cases (it obviously depends on the exact models). You can try to force it, but you're risking their safety to force them over one another. And when you upgrade to a booster seat as we now have in one case, forget about being able to click the seatbelt in and out with three side-by-side. The Highlander is really only 2.5 seats at best in the second row... The Mazda could do it but it was tight. The Honda was the most roomy side-to-side, and was the only one with capacity for 3 people in the third row too (and thus the only one with a 60/40 third row split seat that matches the second row which is more flexible for mixed passenger / storage options). We hated the Honda styling too but if seating capacity and flexibility is a critical issue for you, the Honda is the winner among the Totota/Honda/Mazda. We did look at the GM line but didn't do our seat test because we didn't like them enough to do the deeper dive. But they were pretty spacious so I suspect they will be similar to the Honda in this regard. Personally I would be nervous about buying a GM vehicle right now, given the uncertainty abou the future of the company, but maybe that's just me. Even if you assume they are bailed out and survive as a company, they may have to close a lot of dealerships which means you may have to travel further to get warranty support. And it may be harder to get parts, etc. down the line. Replies to this message: guy1974 (Nov 18, 2008 11:57 am) citivas (Nov 18, 2008 12:18 pm)
#298 of 472 Re: Another feather in the cap of.... [4kids3dogs2cat] by citivas Nov 13, 2008 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 03, 2008 7:29 pm) For what it's worth we have an '04 Sienna (same design as the current model year) and an '09 Pilot now and the Pilot has become the car of preference for family trips when the grandparents are visiting (and with any other adults for that matter). They substantially prefer it in terms of seating comfort and convenience over the Sienna mini-van. The reason is the 3-seat second row. One of our three kids is young enough that we still have to buckle him into the 5-point harness straps built-into his car seat. That makes putting his seat in the third row and impracticality in the Sienna. Plus the third row isn't big enough in the Sienna for all three car seats side-by-side. So the grandparents are forced to either split up or both go in the third row. In the Pilot they were able to sit together in the second row next to our youngest and found it dramatically more comfortable and spacious than being forced to climb back to the third row in the Sienna. Also for what it’s worth, they themselves own the current model Highlander Hybrid and after having spent some time in our Pilot prefer it in terms of rear-seat comfort and in features (they loved being able to plug their iPod in and have it play through our car system and thought our nav system was significantly better than theirs). We’ve also been getting better gas mileage out of our Pilot than our Sienna ever did. The net result was what was supposed to be my car and the “trip” car has become our main “family” car for everywhere. The poor Sienna only gets used when we need both at the same time… We have absolutely no “mini-van stigma.” We could care less what we’re seen driving in. We’ve just naturally gravitated toward the Pilot from real world use and convenience. Replies to this message: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 19, 2008 6:47 pm) tourguide (Nov 20, 2008 4:03 am)