Ask the Car People.SM


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 2 of 55

#10 of 549 Re: Roomy second row [mulligan101] by aviboy97

Jul 08, 2008 (6:30 am)

Replying to: mulligan101 (Jul 07, 2008 6:02 pm)
I did not have a problem sitting in the middle row of the CX-9. I'm 6'3" and 195lbs. Shoulder room is a little tight and the seat its self was not as comfortable as the outer seats, however, it is doable.

#11 of 549 Others? by albook

Jul 08, 2008 (6:41 am)

That's exactly how I would have placed these CUVs. But you guys are missing some competitors. Like the GMC Acadia (Chevy Traversr?) and Hyundai Veracruz. And eventually you'll have to compare the Ford Flex to something.

#12 of 549 This Pilot Owner is Flying to Veracruz by prosource1

Jul 08, 2008 (7:12 am)

As a 06 Pilot owner, the failure of my air conditioning system with only 51,000 miles and the general arrogance displaying by Honda towards consumers in both customer service and the abysmal design offerings by Honda force me to go elsewhere, I'll either buy the quality offering by Hyundai in the 'Veracruz' or wait for the 4-cylinder Santa Fe in 2010. But I'm done with Honda. This company just isn't the company they once were. The Koreans and domestic seem to be hungrier for my business. The Pilot has to be the worst design Honda has ever produced. And how 'bout that horrible plastic interior?

#13 of 549 by dinomartini

Jul 08, 2008 (10:56 am)

No freaking Outlook/Acadia/Enclave in this comparo? So was it Mazda that bribed you so they could be #1?

#14 of 549 Re: [dinomartini] by aviboy97

Jul 08, 2008 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: dinomartini (Jul 08, 2008 10:56 am)
If the comparo was named "Japanese CUV Comparison" would you be so angry? Just because GM makes a billion versions of the same car, does not constitute them being in every comparo.
 
I hope you have some evidence to support your Mazda bribery claim. Why is it hard to believe that a small auto manufacturer can build an extremely competitive car that's better then the majority out there??

#15 of 549 Re: [dinomartini] by maltb

Jul 08, 2008 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: dinomartini (Jul 08, 2008 10:56 am)
There have been plenty of comparos against the Acadia and CX-9. i believe the CX-9 won all of those including North American Truck of the Year. I assume the little guy bribed all the Detroit journalists too?

#16 of 549 Re: [aviboy97] by baggs32

Jul 08, 2008 (2:28 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jul 08, 2008 12:08 pm)
Why is it hard to believe that a small auto manufacturer can build an extremely competitive car that's better then the majority out there??
 
Especially since the CX-9 has won multiple comparisons from multiple sources now. It's not just Edmunds that likes it.
 
Does that mean the CX-9 is the be all, end all of CUVs? No. But it seems to be the enthusiasts choice.

#17 of 549 Re: [baggs32] by aviboy97

Jul 08, 2008 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: baggs32 (Jul 08, 2008 2:28 pm)
Well said.

#18 of 549 Why There is No GM Lambda SUV in This Comparison Test by eriches

Jul 08, 2008 (3:08 pm)

A 2008 Saturn Outlook XR AWD model was supposed to be part of the test, but the week before, our contacts at GM informed us that the Outlook has been in an accident and was tangled in a messy insurance claim. "Perhaps you have another all-wheel-drive Outlook we can use?" we asked, "or even a Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse or GMC Acadia?" But the answer was no.
 
As in, no, there's not a single all-wheel-drive, Lambda-platform-based, General Motors SUV in the western United States that could be made available for this comparison test.
 
We decided not to use our long-term Buick Enclave, because that vehicle is front-wheel-drive, while the Pilot and Highlander we'd requested were AWD.
 
I wish we could have had a Lambda SUV in this comparison test, but when we can't source a vehicle, there's nothing we can do. Not having a Ford Edge or Dodge Journey is less worrisome to me, as neither of those vehicles are class leaders. A Ford Flex might have been a good fit, but it's too soon to get one of those.
 
Erin Riches, author of the comparison test

#19 of 549 Re: [aviboy97] by ceric

Jul 08, 2008 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jul 08, 2008 2:46 pm)
I believe there is another thread that compare GM quadruplet to other CUVs (CX-9 included).
 
I bought my CX9 back in Jan, 2008. If I had to choose a CUV today, I would make the same decision one more time knowing all the new entries. All it takes is a test-drive to appreciate why many magazine editors chose CX-9 as winner of comparison tests.
 
CX9 actually can accommodates 7 adults. Something that I can't say about Highlander or Pilot. The extra 10 inches of length really shows on the inside.
But, Pilot is 8-passenger, you said. Yeah, right?! Have you ever tried to sit three adults in that tiny space? It is a torture chamber if you put three adults there. Putting one more seatbelt on the 3rd row does not make it 8-passenger, IMHO. It is just marketing, people. Besides, I don't have three small kids to sit there.
 
Of the three, CX9 should be on par with Highlander in performance since Highlander is the lightest among the three.
Edmunds tested 9.5sec for new Pilot and 7.6sec for CX9 in 0-60mph. No data on Highlander (maybe someone can chime in here) CX-9 also shines in braking. Pilot did poorly in that department. All ventilated rotors do help CX9 after all.
 
I absolutely love the SmartKey system of CX9 (not available on Highlander or Pilot). 20" inch wheels are amazingly good looking. One thing surprises many people who sat in my CX9 is the low noise level. Mazda did not went cheap when it comes to sound insulation on CX-9.
 
I once raced a new Camry (4-cylinder, I bet) up the highway ramp, and I won!
(No, I am kidding, I have been a good driver.)

Messages Page 2 of 55

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement