Motorweek compared 7 SUV's under $37,000 with 3 row seating and the results:
#1.Honda Pilot
#2.Chevy Traverse
#3.Mazda CX9
#4.Dodge Durango
Highlander did not make the list due to "poor handling, and hard plastics in interior".
Toyota, are you watching/listening?
Last edited by 09 green highlander; 10-15-2011 at 02:25 PM.
Reason: spelling
The Pilot and Traverse both handle the same and have the same hard plastics.
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1994 Toyota Pickup Xtra cab 4x2 22R-E 44,000 mi
1998 Toyota Avalon 1MZ-FE 137,000 mi
2005 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab 49,000 mi
2006 BMW 330i Sedan 85,000 mi
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2AZ-FXE 62,000 mi
I had a 05 Pilot and I like the Highlander a lot more. The Pilot uses a lot more gas and has the hard plastic if I remember right.
At least back in '05 the Pilot had half decent styling. Thank goodness they finally lost the Pilgrim Hat buckle front grill in 2012. I would guess that many '11 buyers are wishing they would have waited. I've owned Hondas and Toyotas and like them equally. I briefly considered the Pilot prior to buying a '11 HL but could not get past the boxy design and ugly grill.
Motorweek compared 7 SUV's under $37,000 with 3 row seating and the results:
#1.Honda Pilot
#2.Chevy Traverse
#3.Mazda CX9
#4.Dodge Durango
Highlander did not make the list due to "poor handling, and hard plastics in interior".
Toyota, are you watching/listening?
Ah yes, if only it were possible to purchase a vehicle based soley on features and comfort. Darn that pesky reliability and value.
Chevy Traverse... another "best in class" challenger [sigh]. At least the soft plastics in the interior will make for a cozy place to sit while you wait for the tow truck.
The Following User Says Thank You to jgayman For This Useful Post:
I actually like the boxy body style of the Pilot. I don't like how they slope the back of the Highlander and other vehicles. The Highlander doesn't have as bad of a slope as some of the others.
As you mentioned 2 unreliable SUVs on the list. Chevy and Dodge.
Pilot has bad MPG.
I actually like the boxy body style of the Pilot. I don't like how they slope the back of the Highlander and other vehicles. The Highlander doesn't have as bad of a slope as some of the others.
As you mentioned 2 unreliable SUVs on the list. Chevy and Dodge.
Pilot has bad MPG.
I do like the width of the pilot and agree about the rear slope. Fortunately the HL isn't as bad as some, like the Lexus RX. It really reduces the cargo capacity and hurts when you are hauling a big box.
I never understood the poor MPG of the Pilot. It has basically the same 6 CYL engine as the Accord yet it has less HP. And despite the fancy variable cylinder management feature it gets worse MPG than the Highlander.
Last edited by jgayman; 10-16-2011 at 08:28 AM.
Reason: spelling
Motorweek compared 7 SUV's under $37,000 with 3 row seating and the results:
#1.Honda Pilot
#2.Chevy Traverse
#3.Mazda CX9
#4.Dodge Durango
Highlander did not make the list due to "poor handling, and hard plastics in interior".
Toyota, are you watching/listening?
I recently had a Buick Enclave for review and it certainly is no better than my HL hybrid in terms of handling and interior quality or appearance. Subjectively, I'd say the Encalve was a bit inferior on both counts. In terms of room, there's no question the Traverse/Acadia/Enclave are bigger, but that's about the only advantage I could give it. The Enclave wasn't as quiet as my HL, either, and it's supposed to be the version with the best interior noise levels. I'm getting the refreshed 2012 Pilot next week so that will be interesting. I've only seen the CX-9 at shows, but it's pretty nice and seems to get a lot of great reviews. Haven't seen the new Durango yet.
Motorweek compared 7 SUV's under $37,000 with 3 row seating and the results:
#1.Honda Pilot
#2.Chevy Traverse
#3.Mazda CX9
#4.Dodge Durango
Highlander did not make the list due to "poor handling, and hard plastics in interior".
Toyota, are you watching/listening?
Personally, I call on the handling quality, as compared to all other SUVs and 4x4s I've driven I find my Highlander to be very stable. The hard plastic interior, I say they're 100% correct as Toyota chose the wrong damn type of plastic to put into these Highlanders. The plastic scratches way too easily.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
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1994 Toyota Pickup
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on the handling quality, as compared to all other SUVs and 4x4s I've driven I find my Highlander to be very stable. The hard plastic interior, I say they're 100% correct as Toyota chose the wrong damn type of plastic to put into these Highlanders. The plastic scratches way too easily. 
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