Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

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

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#61 of 478 Re: [zorceres] by spi5 Jul 17, 2008 (9:33 pm)
Replying to: zorceres (Jul 17, 2008 1:26 pm) "I don't have an issue but then I don't drive fast and keep my distance.. I'm just a safe driver I guess... " You should do so no matter what kind of car you are driving. Better brake give you better chance to survive, though.
#62 of 478 Re: part 2 [citivas] by qs933 Jul 17, 2008 (10:43 pm)
Replying to: citivas (Jul 17, 2008 7:41 am) I personally don't understand why anyone would get any of these vehicles if they didn't need the third row. There are other SUV and crossover options with much better mileage if you don't need the third row like I do. Personally, I don't understand why anyone who needs a third row would choose any of these CUVs/SUVs over a minivan. But, like you stated, to each their own. I've heard horror stories about Toyota distributors and packaged options in other areas. I guess I'm just lucky -- the way my distributor packages options is the way I'd want it. At least there was the chance that I'd get what I want. With Honda, there is zero chance of getting an EX-L with factory Bluetooth, for example. Replies to this message: ceric (Jul 18, 2008 12:18 am) citivas (Jul 18, 2008 4:42 am)
#63 of 478 Re: part 2 [qs933] by ceric Jul 18, 2008 (12:18 am)
Replying to: qs933 (Jul 17, 2008 10:43 pm) CX9 did have issues with electronics related to stereo interface (Bose, bluetooth, and iPod etc.) There was a recall on the door hinge (your typical 1st year thing). After 7000 miles, I am very happy with the build quality of my 2nd-year CX9. Way better than the '01 Odyssey I traded in for it. The Odyssey was noisy, and the driver-side door sounded like a tin can when it closed. The sliding doors jammed from time to time. The A/C nob fell off. All minor issues, but what is reliability, really? I define "Reliability" as problems that could get me stranded or give me a hard time on the roads. What is a reliability concern to me? Failed A/C in Las Vegas summer? Yes. Failed Bose stereo? No. Failed cam position sensors? Yes. Failed iPod iterface? No. Ask this question. How does CR gather reliability data? From readers' inputs. Do all its readers know how to rate each issue? Is there a standard? How to compared a failed iPod interface against a failed cam position sensor? CR has lots of room to improve in that sense, IMHO. To me, a failed cam position sensor is 10X worse than a failed iPod interface. I still can listen to FM, CD, you name it. With a failed cam position sensor, you are not going anywhere.
#64 of 478 Re: part 2 [qs933] by citivas Jul 18, 2008 (4:42 am)
Replying to: qs933 (Jul 17, 2008 10:43 pm) Personally, I don't understand why anyone who needs a third row would choose any of these CUVs/SUVs over a minivan. But, like you stated, to each their own. I've heard horror stories about Toyota distributors and packaged options in other areas. I guess I'm just lucky -- the way my distributor packages options is the way I'd want it. At least there was the chance that I'd get what I want. With Honda, there is zero chance of getting an EX-L with factory Bluetooth, for example. I wasn't referring to the regional distributors. Toyota corporate is the problem. They are the ones that define it so you have to have the Limited to get nav and you have to get the nav and moonroof to get the rear entertainment, etc. Just check out the brochures to see this. Or try using Edmunds -- if you select an entertainment center they will pop up and tell you to get the moonroof, etc. They are the ones that remove AC from standard equipment on the Hyrbid Limited then make almost no cars without it but charge several thousand for it as an "option" As for the things like floor mats, etc., I have consistently found in at least 5 states that everyone supplies these with the car and a built-in "option" and when I have spone to dealers or national services like CarsDirect they have said "Toyota always ships with those, so you don't really have a choice." Again, I think it just worked out for your particular set of options. I certainly wouldn't consider Toyota flexible in general. First of all, there are plenty of people who would prefer a 3 -ow SUV/CUV over a mini-van, which is why the market segment has been so successful (current SUV MPG stigma aside). Second, we already own a mini-van. We don't want two, but we constantly run into logistics of needing to trade-off cars, often driving to places to do the trade-off because of needing the extra seats (he curse of having 3 kids (and all their car pooling friends in various sports, scouts and other activities at once). Having an SUV where the 3rd row is down by default for hauling stuff in the cargo area but can be used on-demand is very useful. But if I didn't need a third row I would get something like the Ford Hybrid with over 30 MPG.
#65 of 478 Re: CR [albook] by msam Jul 18, 2008 (8:24 am)
Replying to: albook (Jul 17, 2008 8:12 pm) I did not think that CR was worse than some. C&D - Car & Driver. But, what is MT? Also, as I had said earlier I was seeing a website called www.truedelta.com, that gathers repair histories and it seems like there are a few problems that are reported (rattling sound in the center console requiring replacement of the console in at least 2 cases!!). That is why I was worried. I have owned a Mazda before and I was very happy with my vehicle at that time. Replies to this message: steve_ (Jul 18, 2008 11:49 am) msam (Jul 19, 2008 2:38 am) citivas (Jul 19, 2008 5:25 am) and 15 more...
#66 of 478 Re: [cx7lover] by msam Jul 18, 2008 (8:28 am)
Replying to: cx7lover (Jul 17, 2008 2:52 pm) Keeping your distance has nothing to do with dismal stopping distances, if you need to stop on the dime because someone cuts you off or pulls out in front of you, keeping your distance will NOT help you in those events, same with someone stopping short infront, you have no "keeping your distance" control over that. I will have to agree to the statement about stopping distances. I guess I will keep looking... Replies to this message: zorceres (Jul 18, 2008 10:04 am)
#67 of 478 Re: [msam] by zorceres Jul 18, 2008 (10:04 am)
Replying to: msam (Jul 18, 2008 8:28 am) I haven't been in this situation... yet.. with this car, in high velocities. I have had to hard break once last wk because a neighborhood kid jumped out of his driveway towards the street (there are a couple of kids, brothers, that do that all the time so I'm in the lookout for it) and had no problem doing so in time (thank God!). But I don't know the distance it took me and it was in my street so I was only doing about 25. I guess that doesn't count. So far, I am happy with the car, very happy
#68 of 478 Re: CR [msam] by steve_ HOST Jul 18, 2008 (11:49 am)
Replying to: msam (Jul 18, 2008 8:24 am) Thanks for the TrueDelta reminder - that site always falls off my radar. It has an interesting article about CR. Looks like he's added too many pain points to want to try to look at the rest of the data there though. MT is Motor Trend btw. Replies to this message: msam (Jul 19, 2008 2:38 am) citivas (Jul 19, 2008 5:25 am) aviboy97 (Jul 19, 2008 5:38 am) msam (Jul 19, 2008 9:25 am) and 13 more...
#69 of 478 I'll give a good reason by rmp690 Jul 18, 2008 (1:28 pm)
Personally, I don't understand why anyone who needs a third row would choose any of these CUVs/SUVs over a minivan. But, like you stated, to each their own. I'm not fan of SUV's - I've always been a sports car guy. But one good reasons to buy a 3-row SUV over a minivan is AWD. We have a Caravan (best American car I've ever owned) for our four kids. We recently moved into a new house with a steep driveway - and neither our van, nor my BMW will go up it with 1/2" of snow on it. We've decided we must trade both cars for AWD. Easy for me - there are a lot of AWD sports sedans out there. Impossible for my wife. The only AWD minivan sold in America is the Toyota Siena. While the literature and website say AWD is offered on the LE model, try finding anything less than a fully loaded XLE ($38,000+) on the lot - and then there is only one, in a color you don't like, and they want full sticker. Not to mention the fact that you have to deal with the Toyota "got you by the b***s" arrogance. So, we're stuck getting an SUV to get three rows and AWD. I have to say, though, the CX-9 is a pretty good compromise. It is nearly as roomy as our regular-length Caravan, and it drives as much like an X5 as any SUV I've ever driven. In fact, it's better than an X5, because the new X5 third row is a carnival novelty seat. In fact, if my wife decides she just has to bend over for Toyota to get an AWD van (probably a used one, if we can find one), I may just get the CX-9 to replace my 325i. I liked it that much, and it wouldn't hurt if we both had three rows of seats.
#70 of 478 PS: Test Drove the Highlander by rmp690 Jul 18, 2008 (1:42 pm)
Good car. Unbelievable gaffe by Toyota to not split the third row seat. This is a dealbreaker for us, since we cannot go on vacation (or to out of town baseball tournaments) without folding down half of the back row. As my previous post indicates, I'm not much of a Toyota / Honda fan, anyway. It's not the cars, it's the dealers. Positive impressions of the 2008 highlander: Great ride. Beautiful interior materials/dash design. Nice exterior design. Good stereo. Negatives: The afformentioned third row seat. A little disconnected from the road. Steering/road feel nowhere near as precise and linear as the Mazda. Hate the fact that within five minutes of your arrival on the lot, the salesmen start "preparing" you that "they don't move on the Toyotas (price)". I have driven many BMW X3's and X5's as loaners when my 325 has been in for service (it's got 86,000 miles on it, so it hasn't been unreliable). BMW proved you can make an SUV that handles in the turns. I've never driven a CX-7, but the CX-9 is only the second SUV I've driven that can compare with the BMW (the others are the two Infinity models). I told my wife right after the test drive, this is a poor man's X5, and we can stop looking, now. Replies to this message: citivas (Jul 18, 2008 5:21 pm) cx7lover (Jul 19, 2008 5:27 am) nxs138 (Jul 19, 2008 7:21 am)