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2009 Honda Pilot vs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2008 Toyota Highlander

549 messages,  Last post on Feb 11, 2013 at 8:48 PM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 55 of 55

#541 of 549 Re: Highlander vs Mazda CX 9 [jillsky] by samny1

Nov 15, 2012 (8:33 am)

Replying to: jillsky (Nov 14, 2012 6:58 pm)
Thanks Jillsky,
 
  This is of much help. I suppose MPG will be about the same as the 2012?
 
Stephen

#542 of 549 Re: Highlander vs Mazda CX 9 [jillsky] by cannga

Nov 15, 2012 (11:45 am)

Replying to: jillsky (Nov 12, 2012 8:56 pm)
davicho,
 
The front end of 2012 CX 9 has been criticized for its silly grin and to many is not the most attractive face around. If that doesn't bother you, then 2012 is fine, if it does then I would wait for 2013 CX 9.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2013-mazda-cx-9-photos-and-info-news
 
The front end of 2013 CX 9 has been completely re-designed and is significantly better looking than 2012 (IMHO of course). The silly grin and that artificial chrome bar (the brace) in the middle of the grill of 2012 are now gone.
 
Other than the front end, there is really not much change.

#543 of 549 Re: Highlander vs Mazda CX 9 [cannga] by davicho

Nov 15, 2012 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: cannga (Nov 15, 2012 11:45 am)
cannga,
 
I am not looking to buy a CX-9 anytime soon. I had posted my opinion about the CX-9 looking better (generally since 2007-2012) then the Highlander...of course my opinion is subjective and also biased.
 
I agree with you on the "silly grin" design...its un-tasteful. Luckily, I have escaped the silly grin with the two Mazdas we own. Our (wife's) 2007 Galaxy Gray CX-9 Touring looks very nice and sophisticated and our (mine) 2006 Whitewater Pearl Mazda5 Touring 5-MT is nice and sporty...both which were pre-grin face design.

#544 of 549 Mazda CX9's engine - Ford designd, but made in Japan? by cannga

Nov 19, 2012 (3:48 am)

Is it true the Mazda CX9's 3.7L V6 engine, which is a Ford-designed engine, is actually made in Japan at Mazda's engine plant?
I had thought it was made by Ford and delivered to Mazda for installing into the CX9. No big deal - just curious.
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_CX-9
For the 2008 model year, Mazda increased engine displacement to 3.7 litres. Mazda states that the new engine generates 204 kilowatts (273 hp) and 366 Newton metres (270 lb·ft) of torque.[3] The engine went into production in June 2007 at Mazda’s engine plant in Japan.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
(davicho, my mistake, that post about 2013 CX9 facelift change was meant for jillsky.)

#545 of 549 Newbie Shopper by bvanremortel

Nov 28, 2012 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: cannga (Nov 19, 2012 3:48 am)
Well in the next few months I'm shopping for a new family hauler (4 kids...)after selling our 2002 Honda Odyssey last month. I will be a ginnea pig as I shop the 2013 Mazda CX-9 (looks VERY nice in new format), Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX, Nissan Pathfinder, and Infinity JX35. I'm in the $38,000-$45,000 range so a loaded regular model or a stock Luxury version...
 
I like sports cars so that may influence me (Acura TSX and BMW 328iC in my garage). As I said, had an Odyssey for 10 years and before that a Toyota Previa before that for family duties. My wife drives the Acura so she like performance too.
 
I've read every post in this forum and it looks like a great place to see all the comparisons.
 
Will advise you all on how it goes with the dealers.

#546 of 549 Re: Newbie Shopper [bvanremortel] by giantsteps

Dec 28, 2012 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: bvanremortel (Nov 28, 2012 8:49 pm)
Hi. You know threads tend to draw on for years, so I'll add my continuance of this one. We are talking about SUV's! My family is also in the market for one; namely to rid ourselves of a Freestyle we've got dirt cheap with no issues...yet - CVT tranny anyone?
 
 These aren't drag racing, SCCA competing machines man! Their for hauling many butts around in some form of comfort and poise. If I'm concerning myself with the 60' time out of the hole to achieve my 8.99 second 1/4 mile I personally will be in another vehicle; without my children and family. If I find myself mountain carving outside of Sausalito in my SUV, I'll give my own-self a ticket for being an idiot!
   
 Safety is my primary concern, and real life doesn't equal crash test but I put more weight in the safety dept. for the Toy. And I'm odd man out, as is my wife (who is not a man:)), liking the outward aesthetics of the 2008 + Highlander well beyond the frumpy guppy look of that CX9. I too was considering both but I can't dig into that lazy design of Mazda. Then again I'm always the oddball; I'll take John Coltrane over that Adele everyday, Anchovies or anything else over McDonalds, Frank Lloyd Wright over McMansions, etc. PLus the Highlander is quicker to 60 mph with 3 less horseys to boot..sniff!! Cheers!

#547 of 549 CX-9 rated #1 in new ranking by bvanremortel

Dec 30, 2012 (7:30 pm)

Per the new US News Car Ratings for "Affordable SUV" category.
 
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...-Midsize-SUVs/
 
The CX-9 comes out in a tie for first place. I have looked at several of them and am conflicted with which to buy: a 2013 CX-9 (#1 rated as a 2012, and the 13 looks better...) or something else. I really like the looks of the Pathfinder Premium, but it finished in 16th place and has a new version of their CVT. I look forward to more comparison tests in the magazines. I'm shooting for a spring purchase so I have a little time to compare and contrast.

#548 of 549 Re: CX-9 rated #1 in new ranking [bvanremortel] by iniowa

Jan 08, 2013 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: bvanremortel (Dec 30, 2012 7:30 pm)
I just traded in my 2010 CX 9 AWD Tourning for the 2013 AWD GT. I love the new design. Mazda for the most part kept the car as is with the exception of the front and rear design and some updated options/features. Living in Iowa I needed the AWD for the weather, there were times in my 2010 that I spent several hours trying to get home and was in comfort. I also haul kids around for cheer and there is more than enough room in the vehicle for the kids and all of their stuff.
 
I did test drive a lot of the competitors and found myself coming back to the CX9. I had a Nissan Rouqe prior to buying the CX9.
 
My only complainst on the new 2013 is that to use the SMS feature you need a specific phone from your carrier. I had to trade in my iphone for the Samsung Galaxy S III to get this feature to work. When I talked to Mazda each carrier has different phones that are compatible; it seemed Verizon was the only one that was limited. The only other complaint is the new headrests in the 3rd row take up more window space then previously. Good luck to everyone who is looking.. it is a great car for the money.

#549 of 549 Re: CX-9 rated #1 in new ranking [iniowa] by bvanremortel

Feb 11, 2013 (8:48 pm)

Replying to: iniowa (Jan 08, 2013 2:47 pm)
SO I posted in last 2 months and finally test drove all the cars we talk about. I expected to be blown away by the CX-9 but I was not. Felt like I has on a too tall chair (I'm 6') and when I sat in the passanger seat my head was against the roof on the edge of the sunroof. Very strange ergonomics in the front seats with the super deep foot wells and high center console. I was underwhelmed by the acceleration when I was hoping for the "sport car of SUVs." Going around turns seemed boat-like, again, I was not in sync with this truck-like crossover.
 
Pathfinder and MDX were OK, JX styling started bugging me so I moved on there. The car I had read was "soft," "floaty" and not a good handler blew me away -- I choose the Highlander SE with all the options in blue pearl. I really rung out the test drive car, it flat out hauls butt and rips around turns. Add that and the resale value and I couldn't even take a second drive in the CX-9, so my mind was made up. Had to order the exact color I wanted from Indiana, so hope to have that in ~6 weeks.
 
Good luck in your search, and everyone's right --test drives are critical.

Messages Page 55 of 55

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