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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 11 of 56

#97 of 549 You can ZOOM ZOOM better by ch1rravu

Jul 25, 2008 (1:31 pm)

Sure you may feel you could zoom zoom better in CX-9, but NOT faster than Highlander. Anything over 8 seconds zoom-zoom to 60, is prolly trying lawn-mower race cart.
 
Not many dealers sit their vehicles in lots, but rather in preperation areas (call it their warehouse). If anything is any indication, in our hood I see normal amount of stock in Toyota warehouse, lesser-than-usual Honda warehouse (mostly due to fast setting Civics), and tons-and-tons of non-moving Mazda ducks. It may be local phenomenon, but sure doesn't bode well observing this thing for the past 4-6 months.
 
Has anybody gotten monthly sales figures for CX-9 compared to Highlanders vs Pilots to see how well each brand/model is doing ?
 
By the way, anybody compiled, how many on-going recalls/silent-recalls, dealer-fixes and law suits that are files against CX-9 and other models?
 
If you really want to figure where many Americans are plunking down thier hard-earned money, just look at sales numbers.
 
If you got money to spare, yeah - you can zoom zoom better, try a BMW X5 or a Mercedes or a Lexus - they may take you to your destination in Style too!
 
Regarding Electrical steering: it takes some getting used to, sure even BMW introduced electric steering in their family, and took decent flak. Guess, its one of the things folks would have to start getting used to. After a while of driving with it, it doesn't feel that much different, and my friends actually like electric steering.
 
Folks miss other critical advantages with electrical steering: Better insulation/firewall, better NVH, and better crash performance. In addition, some Engineering folks advice that Electrical steering is better integrated with VDIM/VSC (vehicle stability control), making it work better to save lives! According to consumer advocate Clark Howard: ".. electronic stability control .. expected to save more lives than any other gadget, except for maybe a seatbelt" ** (and he didn't include Anti-lock brakes, airbags, and other boondabgles in this list, because VSC/ESC is no pretender, but REAL-DEAL !!).
 
Now, do I want VSC/VDIM? See how VDIM in action in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giHp_AahMhA
 
(though I sure wouldn't recommend doing crazy stunts on a icy road!)
 
 ** REF ** http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2007/04/12/12129/

#98 of 549 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [ch1rravu] by ceric

Jul 25, 2008 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 25, 2008 1:31 pm)
Do you always buy the most popular vehicles?
I don't. I made my own choice considering my own needs and criteria.
 
If sales numbers determine which vehicle is better, then all auto-magazines can stop their comparison test. Just collect the sales numbers and declare winners.
By the way, which major award has Highlander or Pilot obtained yet?
 
Hers is a list of MAJOR awards that CX9 has roped...
Mototrend: Sports Utility of the Year 2008
Automobile Magazine: All-Star 2008
Car And Driver: 5 Best Truck 2008
 
P.S. Highlander was a contender in all three of them.
Yes, awarding winning is a big factor of mine when it comes to choosing vehicles.

#99 of 549 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [ch1rravu] by nxs138

Jul 25, 2008 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 25, 2008 1:31 pm)
Has anybody gotten monthly sales figures for CX-9 compared to Highlanders vs Pilots to see how well each brand/model is doing ?
 
Overall Toyota sales are down 11.5% as compared to this time last year, while Mazda is up 3.7% (both based on a daily selling rate for June). Highlander sales are down 31%, while CX-9 sales are down only 6.4%.
 
As far as absolute numbers, Toyota has always outsold Mazda in terms of shear volume. Mazda caters to a more sport-minded crowd, and have always had less models to offer. But as you can see, the Highlander is taking a beating, while the CX-9 is doing a nice, steady job.

#100 of 549 Self conflicting statements by ch1rravu

Jul 25, 2008 (8:46 pm)

Some folks may be saying Mazda is offering more discount (over $3K-4K under invoice!!), if CX-9 roped in that many awards, why does it need that /rebate/ push ? All we are hearing is one is lucky if Highlander can be had for under 1K below invoice.
 
What little I know, Toyota does what it calls - product mix changes, and during such shifts, its expected one model sells more than the others. MAZDA is pushed to being a a niche player (note: sidelined), considered one or two trick pony. Come 10 years now, would you believe Mazda, which is under controlling stake of Ford, is going to be steadfast and honor its commitment to its product line(s), parts and service and continue to make and support CX-9 model?
 
Some of you guys can have CX-9, it may not be a bad vehicle on first year or two of ownership. Wait till those lease-returns start trickling in .. By all means - I also enjoy driving sportsy vehicle occationally say 'stang, but do I want to own one knowing its reliability, and how stiff driving hurt backs on long-trips history ? pass,
 
No doubt, Highlander is not sports tuned, and may feel slightly wobbly to somebody's tastes, thats a choice folks gotta make.
 
What award did Highlander win? "Peoples Choice Award" - just check sales numbers. Where did CX9 rank among 'sumer 'rports rankings? mid-pack fourth !!
 
Where did I heard the quote "The CX-9's sales are a drop in the bucket compared with Toyota's Highlander" ? No wonder CX-9 is a one trick pony.
 
By the way its smaller brother CX-7 dropper well over 50% in June. So, you can't really compare company to company sales volume ..
 
By all means - nobody saying CX-9 is a bad vehicle, only time will determine the truth, and its re-sale value., until that time zoom fast for what may be a short-lived fun! (CX-9 is based on stretched Ford Edge, we know resale values of Ford Edge !!)
 
What did 'sumer 'rports have to say on CX-9? -- "First-year reliability has been below average" "Braking distances .. long in our tests on both dry and wet pavements (compared to all 6 competitors)" "Low Fuel economy"
 
Sure Highlander has some low points as well, but it seems more people are willing to make a choice with safe, reliable vehicle more than a niche-market player.

#101 of 549 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [ceric] by qs933

Jul 26, 2008 (12:43 am)

Replying to: ceric (Jul 25, 2008 4:18 pm)
I don't. I made my own choice considering my own needs and criteria.
...
Yes, awarding winning is a big factor of mine when it comes to choosing vehicles.

 
Interesting. You based your choice on your own criteria, of which winning an award based on someone else's criteria was a big factor.
 
In all seriousness, I doubt anyone will regret purchasing any of these CUVs. Each is a little different. Everyone's motivation for choosing one over the other will be different too. Nothing wrong with that.
 
I took a look at an '09 Pilot Touring this afternoon. Maybe it was the black interior, but the plastics used were an immediate turn-off. Like the Highlander, the dash and upper door panels are hard plastic. Unlike the Highlander, the texture and grain look and feel out of place for a $38K vehicle.
 
The only advantage was the headliner, but since I don't spend much time staring at the ceiling, that's a minor plus.
 
I also don't like the center seating position's ceiling-mounted seat belt. When installed, it looks terrible. When stowed, you have to remember to set it up whenever you plan on having a passenger in that position. It's a minor detail, but the Highlander has a seat-mounted center shoulder belt.

#102 of 549 by msam

Jul 26, 2008 (4:05 am)

It seems to me people are trying to convince one another based on their own needs. Everyone's needs and expectations are different and hence different vehicles are going to suit their differing needs.
 
Why would a person who earns 200 K a year worry about fuel economy as much as a person earning 100 K a year (if money spent towards fuel is the main consideration)?
 
Why would a person who wants regular 3rd row seating for adults consider a Toyota Highlander?
 
Why would a person who likes the nice comfy ride of a mini van, go for a vehicle that is more tuned towards sportiness?
 
Also, in some posts people are talking about price to own after a few years and seem to be saying that Toyota will turn out much better than a Mazda. Looking at available data, the difference is much lesser than what people would imagine.
 
See ya...

#103 of 549 by ch1rravu

Jul 26, 2008 (6:27 am)

100K or 200K a year earnings ? you ought to shoot for X5 or some other fancier models to befit your lifestyle. Betcha, many Highlander customers earn less than that. Ofcourse, many sensible 100k-200k+ guys buy it too, but largest volumes comes from middle class families, I surmise.
 
Somewhere I recall reading about Highlander's sales drop in June: Discontinuing of 4-cylender models, while gas prices are hovering over $4+ ! If you notice on prices paid discussion, even in Car's sale prices, the difference between V4 (or I4 you may want to call it) and V6 models has narrowed significantly. ie., what used to be V6 premium is fast evaporating under prevailing $4+ gas prices. No wonder this broader phenomenon affects SUV/CUV purchase decisions too. I am /making an educted guess/ at this point, but has anybody got sales figures where folks who once were in market for V4 Highlander cross shopped for RAV4 ? Also, has V4 RAV4 made more sales compared to V6 ?
 
Now, what /real/ choice do people have that want 4-cylender alternative to CX-9? Try RAV4 mebbe, seriously !
 
Like somebody said earlier, its your choice what vehicle you want to buy, but make a sensible one at that.

#104 of 549 by msam

Jul 26, 2008 (8:00 am)

Even with V6 when I test drive these 3 row SUVs it feels a bit underpowered. So, I think V4 will be worse. For 2 row SUVs V4 may be acceptable. Though since I am in the market for 3 row SUVs and only own V6 vehicles I don't know how that will work out.
 
If one is looking for space, X5 is not an option.
 
For a fuel efficient / gasoline-less vehicle, I am waiting for a plug-in electric vehicle.

#105 of 549 Re: You can ZOOM ZOOM better [qs933] by baggs32

Jul 26, 2008 (8:12 am)

Replying to: qs933 (Jul 26, 2008 12:43 am)
I also don't like the center seating position's ceiling-mounted seat belt.
 
I hope that's for the 3rd row! Right?
 
Nonetheless, that still sounds like a big turnoff to me too. Makes it look like that position, albeit it's probably a not often used position for most, was an afterthought. Also, how is it legal to trust owners to install something so important to personal safety? Did Honda find a loophole in the annals of safety laws or something?
 
They do sell the Pilot as an 8 passenger SUV so I would expect nothing less than 8 FACTORY INSTALLED 3-point safetly belts. Do any other mfrs do this too? I never noticed it before.

#106 of 549 Re: Self conflicting statements [ch1rravu] by aviboy97

Jul 26, 2008 (9:27 am)

Replying to: ch1rravu (Jul 25, 2008 8:46 pm)
The CX-9 is reality is not selling "3,000 below invoice". There is a $3000 dealer engagement money on the car, that makes it appear "$3000" below invoice.
 
The CX-9 is not on a stretched Ford Edge platform. The Ford Edge is on Mazda's platform. Any educated automotive person know that the platform does not make the vehicle what it is, but rather what is placed on it.
 
While CR had red dots for every catagorie on the CX-9 except for the audio system controls, it appears that CR based their reliability on that alone. Makes no sense. Besides, Toyota is not CR's favorite anymore with constant issues in quality and reliability as of late. We all know CR is not perfect, and you are nieve if you think they are.
 
The CX-9 is not a "one trick pony". It happens to do everything better then the Highlander, except straight line acceleration and a slim FE average.
 
To me, Toyota's are highly over rated. Yes, they are good mechanically, however, they have some of the cheapest materials I have ever seen on the interior. Styling makes me want to hang my self. And the drive....it the most slushy, non responsive vehicles on the market. While they get good remarks for dependability (which has taken a HUGE hit lately) they consistently rate near the bottom in comparison tests.

Messages Page 11 of 56

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