Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

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

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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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#469 of 478 Re: AWD CUV Purchase Dilemna [tearlach] by jayrider Nov 21, 2009 (12:39 pm)
Replying to: tearlach (Nov 21, 2009 11:15 am) You are going to need a decent size vehicle to meet your needs. And you want awd. With those conditions-- mpg shouldn't be a big priority because whatever you choose will be within a fairly narrow number range. Probably only a few hundred $'s a year between best and worst if you stick with similarly equipped models. And don't go just by the govnt numbers. Around town everything is going to be 15-18. Hwy 19-22. My murano gets 17 in town and 25 on the hwy but that's too small for you. Check out 4 runners-pathfinders-borregos- explorers. Wouldn' focus so much on mpg. Get what you feel meets your needs best. Some of these trucks have nice rebates that will offset a lot of lower mpg's.
#470 of 478 Re: Subaru Tribeca anyone? [jayrider] by aviboy97 Nov 21, 2009 (2:12 pm)
Replying to: jayrider (Nov 21, 2009 8:26 am) We are smart not to stock too many Replies to this message: jayrider (Nov 21, 2009 2:28 pm)
#471 of 478 Re: Subaru Tribeca anyone? [aviboy97] by jayrider Nov 21, 2009 (2:28 pm)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Nov 21, 2009 2:12 pm) You sly dog. The perception of limited availability makes me want one even more.
#472 of 478 Re: AWD CUV Purchase Dilemna [tearlach] by jcpharm Nov 21, 2009 (5:09 pm)
Replying to: tearlach (Nov 21, 2009 11:15 am) Toyota HL AWD Hybrid - that will get you what you want. if u can afford it, Lexus R330 hybrid.
#473 of 478 Edmunds 2010 SUV Buying Guide by jcpharm Nov 24, 2009 (7:52 pm)
CX-9 has made the list again: link title Pilot and Highlander are conspicuously missing.... SUVs Under $35,000 Crossovers also dominate our next category, and bumping up the price by $10K nets the buyer increased cabin and storage space without sacrificing carlike performance. With seating for seven and surprisingly sophisticated handling for a vehicle its size, the Mazda CX-9 is a repeat pick and perennial favorite at this price point. The Volvo XC60 is a new crossover from the Swedish carmaker known for safety and offers an innovative collision-avoidance system for stop-and-go city traffic as well as solid driving feel and a dash of European flair. With room for eight passengers and poised composure on the road, the Chevrolet Traverse is another GM hit in the crossover category. It should be noted that its corporate cousins, the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, share the same platform — and by default the accolades for the Traverse. Replies to this message: mirrodie1 (Nov 25, 2009 12:16 pm) jcpharm (Nov 26, 2009 9:54 pm)
#474 of 478 Re: Subaru Tribeca anyone? [aviboy97] by tearlach Nov 25, 2009 (11:18 am)
Replying to: aviboy97 (Nov 19, 2009 3:07 pm) There is no need for 100% AWD in the dry summer months, now is there? IMHO when brisk acceleration is required (say at a 90 degree intersection to a high speed thoroughfare) even in dry summer conditions, but especially in anything less than that, having 4 wheels to help you pounce out into traffic is vastly superior and safer than chirping 2wd (even w/ TRACS) and torque steer. Other aggressive driving conditions also warrant AWD over 2WD - consider other dry surfaces than smooth pavement, i.e. dirt, gravel, sand, leaves, etc. H2O is not the only factor. While I personnaly prefer the Tribeca's AWD system to that of the Grand Touring CX-9's, overall, I prefer the CX-9's spaciousness and total package. The CX-9's interior also edges out the Tribeca's, reflecting upscale Europsort interiors (if you like that better). It's a shame the Tribeca isn't a little bigger, because in my wet test drives it stuck to the road like a magnet. Finally, we plan to purchase a midsize CUV/SUV by year end and have settled down to the 2010 Grand Touring CX-9 vs. the 2010 Toyota 4Runner Limited w/ X-REAS given the multitasking requirements our family/work requires (see post #468). Granted they are fairly different vehicles at different price points (CX-9 + $5K = 4Runner Limited), but in a gut feel True Cost to Own, the tank like build, flexible 4WD options and believe it or not the better MPG of the 4Runner (17/22 vs 16/21), Toyota has the edge right now, even though the CX-9 edged it out in handling (but not by as much as you would think for a CUV vs. an SUV). Replies to this message: valdemar (Nov 25, 2009 11:33 am)
#475 of 478 Re: Subaru Tribeca anyone? [tearlach] by valdemar Nov 25, 2009 (11:33 am)
Replying to: tearlach (Nov 25, 2009 11:18 am) Yup, Tribeca's RWD bias helps during hard acceleration, also it helps to reduce understeer in hard turns. Most ppl, however, don't care about that...
#476 of 478 Re: Edmunds 2010 SUV Buying Guide [jcpharm] by mirrodie1 Nov 25, 2009 (12:16 pm)
Replying to: jcpharm (Nov 24, 2009 7:52 pm) I saw this too but, as its title implies, its a GUIDE. Having repeatedly driven all those vehicles in that category, I have to disagree with the guide's findings. YMMV Replies to this message: jcpharm (Nov 26, 2009 9:54 pm)
#477 of 478 Re: Edmunds 2010 SUV Buying Guide [mirrodie1] by jcpharm Nov 26, 2009 (9:54 pm)
Replying to: mirrodie1 (Nov 25, 2009 12:16 pm) True - and by all means, no one should buy a car just because a guide said so. however, most reputable "guides" select cars based on test drives/reviews from relatively-expert persons which actually makes them worthwhile and gives the lay public a sense of which cars will most likely best suit the needs of most (notice i don't say all) people. Of course everyone should test drive before they ultimately buy a car, but a guide can give you some choices of where to start that search.
#478 of 478 good point by mirrodie1 Nov 27, 2009 (7:13 am)
Quite true. At the start of our search, we read the guides and our Pilot was furthest from the top of our list. But it happened to be the one we drove first. We didnt at all leave the test drive thinking, oh I love it. After driving the Traverse, Acadia, CX-9, and Highlander, we came back to the Pilot, which was surprising to us. Having read the guides again and doing a lot of searching, as well as coming to realize what goals/purpose our car would serve, that was the clincher. If the decision was based on impulse, I probably might ahve gone with the others but we all felt these cars were all very much the same with little differences among 3 row SUVs