Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

443 messages, Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 11:47 AM

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)

Outline

Messages Page 35 of 46: 1; ...; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; ...; 46; Prev; Next; Last

#332 of 443 Re: Nav system? [4kids3dogs2cat] by citivas Nov 29, 2008 (7:33 pm)
Replying to: 4kids3dogs2cat (Nov 29, 2008 6:13 pm) I tested the navs quite a bit becaue it was one of the main decision criteria for me. And I use the one in the Pilot I eventually got often... The nav in the CX-9 and Toyota are basically the same because each of them source it from the same company. The UI is a little different (I prefer the Toyota's) but that's about it. It is pretty good. It found even reasonably new streets in my test. It is as good as the typical Garmin or Tom Tom at the point it was released for comprehensiveness and accuracy, but those portables have the advantages of easy online updates which the integrated systems do not -- you can get the dealer to update the DVD every year or two but that's not quite the same... All of them integrated systems accept voice commands and in my experience do so even better than the portable units. I was able to get the Toyota to successfully and accurately navigate from the dealership to my house entirely with voice commands, never touching the display, after some trial and error. That's good because the downside of the nav in the Toyota, Mazda and GM, etc. is that it refuses to accept new input while the car is moving 5 MPH or faster, as a safety precaution, and there is no way to legally override this (there are some hacks described online that aren't pretty and invalidate your warranty), even if you have a passenger who could safely operate it. That is not a problem on the portable units. The higher-end portable units also are starting to have great extras line real-time traffic navigation, real-time updates based on conditions reported by other users on the road, real time info from the Internet, etc. The Honda uses the same system in the Acura which is considered one of the best integrated systems available. The only feature the Honda drops from the Acura is real-time traffic, otherwise they are identical. I have owned a Garmin and Tom Tom portable and greatly prefer my Honda system over both, in terms of accuracy, UI, control, voice command, etc. It is the best system I have used from any car or portable in terms of effectively and rapidly re-routing if you go off-route, by accident or on-purpose. And it has a very effective "active lane guidance" system which visually helps you at complete interchanges, etc. know exactly which lane to be in. Works very well. We bought it from a dealer in a part of the state we had never been to before and my wife returned home in our other car using our Garmin. I got home no-problem and she didn't, all because of the lane guidance. It also llists the streets and turns by name, not just "at the next street" etc. which helps. Overall I am very happy with it. Oh, and it works while you drive, unlike the others... Again, none of them are better than the portables for updatability or real-time data (except the Ford cars with Sync, which hopefully will come to Mazda eventually). But they are all way, way better than printing off of MapQuest. Good luck.
#333 of 443 Anyone look at the Buick? by golic Dec 02, 2008 (6:19 am)
I was impressed by pictures of the cargo space in the enclave...however this whole GM bailout thing has me at caution. Does anyone have thoughts or experience with looking at the enclave? Thanks - G. Replies to this message: aviboy97 (Dec 02, 2008 7:07 am) whatugiv (Dec 02, 2008 12:50 pm) nxs138 (Dec 09, 2008 10:08 pm) golic (Dec 10, 2008 5:51 am) nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 3:10 pm) and 4 more...
#334 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [golic] by aviboy97 Dec 02, 2008 (7:07 am)
Replying to: golic (Dec 02, 2008 6:19 am) I had the opportunity to sit in one at the New York Auto show. That was the extent of my experience. I did spend a good amount of time in it though. At first glance, the car is B-E-A-UTIFUL!! It's also huge. Inside in nicely appointed. I liked the look of the wood grain interior, however, touch it and you quickly realize it's thin plastic. I was not overly impressed with the quality of materials, however, they are put together very well. One down side to buying one is that GM does not lease them, and the are expensive compared to the competition. 6 months ago, you could not find one at your local dealer. Now, they are begging you to take one. Actually, we can say that about many of these 7 passenger CUV's right now. First year reliability has not been great, but all issues seem to be the same with everyone. I've seen plenty of issues with squeaks and rattles as well as consistent problems with the steering system. Outside of that, they seem to be ok.
#335 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [golic] by whatugiv Dec 02, 2008 (12:50 pm)
Replying to: golic (Dec 02, 2008 6:19 am) G. the enclave is a wonderful vehicle! I'd b happy to talk to you about all of the features and benefits. talk to you soon. John
#336 of 443 Nov, 2008 sales figures by ceric Dec 02, 2008 (3:04 pm)
1st: Highlander: 6980 (+907 hybrids) 2nd: Pilot: 5601 3rd: CX-9: 1716
#337 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [golic] by nxs138 Dec 09, 2008 (10:08 pm)
Replying to: golic (Dec 02, 2008 6:19 am) Test drove the Enclave before buying the CX-9. Very nice vehicle inside and out, quiet ride, although it felt more sluggish and had more body roll than the Acadia and the the CX-9, and is definitely tuned for comfort and not for "sporty" driving. If you're into more of a "floaty" ride as opposed to a sports sedan feel, I'd recommend the Buick over the CX-9. At the time the Enclave had the transmission issue (hesitation, etc) and no bluetooth, and Buick wanted too much money for it, so it fell off our list. But with the new engines and features going in, I would definitely consider it if I was in the market. Buick is here to stay,imo. Sells very well in Japan/China. I think the Chevy Traverse is also worth a look, it starts out cheaper than the Buick but has a nice interior. But the CX-9 trumps both of those, imo, I still can't get over how well I can carve the twisties with it! (as you can see, I prefer a somewhat more aggressive "tune" in a vehicle). Replies to this message: golic (Dec 10, 2008 5:51 am) nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 3:10 pm) 4kids3dogs2cat (Dec 11, 2008 4:58 pm) and 3 more...
#338 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [nxs138] by golic Dec 10, 2008 (5:51 am)
Replying to: nxs138 (Dec 09, 2008 10:08 pm) Thanks nxs, for that comparison. That does help. I do need to look at the cx-9, as well. Which car would you say has the larger cabin? And what about the cargo space behind the 3rd row? Basically, I need something where I could put a hockey bag, baseball equipment bag behind it. Does one vehicle have a significant advantage over the other in behind the 3rd row storage? Replies to this message: nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 3:10 pm) 4kids3dogs2cat (Dec 11, 2008 4:58 pm) nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 7:09 pm) and 2 more...
#339 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [golic] by nxs138 Dec 11, 2008 (3:10 pm)
Replying to: golic (Dec 10, 2008 5:51 am) The Lambdas have more space behind the 3rd row than the CX-9. Of the Lambdas, the Buick seemed to have less room because of the interior panels, I believe, but you don't lose that much (you lose a bit in width, I believe, but again, not all that much). With the 3rd row up in the CX-9, you'd barely be fitting a hockey bag back there, so the extra few inches of room in the Lambdas might help you. As a practical example, when the 3rd is up I can fit 2 rows of grocery bags nicely on the cargo floor. In the Lambdas, you might be able to fit 3 rows. If storage space behind the 3rd row is critical, I hate to admit it but you'd be better off with a Lambda than the CX-9. The worse contender is the Highlander, you wouldn't be able to fit an umbrella stroller behind that 3rd row! Replies to this message: 4kids3dogs2cat (Dec 11, 2008 4:58 pm) nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 7:09 pm) citivas (Jan 08, 2009 10:36 am) and 1 more...
#340 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [nxs138] by 4kids3dogs2cat Dec 11, 2008 (4:58 pm)
Replying to: nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 3:10 pm) That's the great thing about the Sienna, it has the "storage well" behind the third seat which increases your storage space quite a bit because it is deep down and you can pile stuff up. I can't see why these crossovers can't have the same kind of setup. Advantage to the minivan in this regard.. Replies to this message: nxs138 (Dec 11, 2008 7:09 pm) citivas (Jan 08, 2009 10:36 am) lithnights (Feb 05, 2009 5:35 pm)
#341 of 443 Re: Anyone look at the Buick? [4kids3dogs2cat] by nxs138 Dec 11, 2008 (7:09 pm)
Replying to: 4kids3dogs2cat (Dec 11, 2008 4:58 pm) My dad bought a Sienna last year, and to tell the truth, it's very nice. Tons of space behind the 3rd row, much more than the Lambdas. It has a lot of pickup, might be just as fast or faster than all these crossovers. And ease of entry with the sliding doors is nice with the kids. Crossovers have nothing on the interior space of minivans, I can see why larger families should flock to minivans as compared to SUVs, if not only for all that space behind the 3rd row. Since we only have 2 kids, the CX-9 was more than enough. If crossovers had that well, they would lose their "stylish" back end look (i.e. I guess you would really have bring the rear bumper down more to accomodate the longer door, and I guess the rear wheels would have to come forward a bit). But then again, there's no reason why they couldn't tweak a minivan to make it look more cross-overish, i.e. lose the sliding doors, and angle the back end a little more..... Replies to this message: citivas (Jan 08, 2009 10:36 am) lithnights (Feb 05, 2009 5:35 pm)