Dare To Compare 2022 Mazda CX-9 Model

 

COMPARE 2022 MAZDA CX-9

HONDA PILOT | TOYOTA HIGHLANDER | NISSAN PATHFINDER | HYUNDAI PALISADE

COMPARING HONDA, TOYOTA, NISSAN, & HYUNDAI MODELS TO THE MAZDA CX-9

MAZDA CX-9 WINS VS PILOT, HIGHLANDER, PATHFINDER, & PALISADE

---

HONDA PILOT

Pricing

• MSRP for the Pilot starts at more than $39,000 (about $5,000 more than CX-9's lowest trim)
• MSRP for Pilot's top trim, Black Edition, is over $50,000 (about $3,000 more than CX-9's top Signature trim)

Performance

• CX-9 has more torque with premium fuel (320 lb-ft) and nonpremium fuel (310 lb-ft), vs. 262 lb-ft on the Pilot
• Better fuel economy (city/highway/combined): 20/26/23 mpg vs. 19/26/22 mpg for Pilot
• "The Pilot's lack of body control makes it seem disconnected from the road at times." – Car and Driver
• While CX-9 has standard AWD, the Pilot offers It as an extra-cost option on its three lowest trims

Design & Craftsmanship

• "Where the interior falls short is its dated look." – Motor Trend on Pilot
• "[The 2022 Pilot] looks like a lifted minivan." – Car and Driver

Human Centricity

• CX-9 features an Active Driving Display while Pilot does not offer one at all
• CX-9 features a standard 10.25- inch Mazda Connect™ display; Pilot's standard display is only 8 inches
• The intuitive Mazda Connect™ is easy to read at a glance and operated via the Commander control; Pilot lacks tactile controls and requires drivers to look away from the road to use its touchscreen embedded lower in the dash
• "The frustrating central touchscreen is one of the Pilot's weak points… " – Car and Driver

Comfort, Convenience and Safety

• A windshield wiper de-icer is available on CX-9, but not on Pilot

---

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

Pricing

• MSRP for the Highlander starts at more than $35,000 (about $1,000 more than CX-9's lowest trim)

Performance

• CX-9 has more torque with premium fuel (320 lb-ft) and nonpremium fuel (310 lb-ft), vs. 263 lb-ft on the Highlander
• While CX-9 has standard AWD, the Highlander only offers it as an extra-cost option on every trim
• "For the driver, its bouncy ride quality and peaky power delivery aren't exactly inspiring." – Motor Trend on Highlander
• "The Highlander's ride is smooth and its acceleration is decent, but overall it lacks the driving verve of rivals such as… the Mazda CX-9." – Car and Driver

Design & Craftsmanship

• "There's nothing especially problematic about it, but drivers who want something less basic, more fun, or just cooler should look around." – Motor Trend on Highlander
• CX-9's fluid and emotional design vs. Highlander's bold sculpting and large intakes
• CX-9 features real wood trim while Highlander does not

Human Centricity

• Intuitive Mazda Connect™ display and Commander control minimizes distraction; Highlander's controls have a relatively clumsy, asymmetrical arrangement
• Standard 10.25-inch full-color Mazda Connect™ display; 8.0-Inch display standard on all but the top Highlander trim

Comfort, Convenience and Safety

• More third-row legroom: 29.7 inches vs. 27.7
• Heated front seats are standard on CX-9; not on the Highlander
• "[The Highlander's] third row is so small that only young kids can fit, and when all the seats are upright cargo capacity is limited." - Motor Trend

---

NISSAN PATHFINDER

Pricing

• MSRP for the Pathfinder's lowest 4WD trim is $35,310 while CX-9's lowest trim is only $34,160 (about $1,000 less)
• MSRP for the Pathfinder's top Platinum 4WD trim is more than $48,000 while CX-9's Signature trim is only $46,805 (over $1,000 less)

Performance

• CX-9 has more torque with premium fuel (320 lb-ft) and nonpremium fuel (310 lb-ft), vs. 259 lb-ft on the Pathfinder
• CX-9 offers standard Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, while Pathfinder does not offer it at all
• While CX-9 has standard AWD, Pathfinder comes with standard FWD, only offering 4WD as an extra-cost option
• "Handling is utterly forgettable and not in the least entertaining." – Car and Driver on Pathfinder
• "…[We] found it was a chore getting the SUV up to freeway speeds… [and] during passing maneuvers, it had a hard time finding the right gear." – Motor Trend on Pathfinder

Design & Craftsmanship

• "Although there's a lot to like about the interior, the Pathfinder just doesn't stand out from the pack." – Motor Trend

Human Centricity

• CX-9's Mazda Connect™ display is 10.25 inches, while Pathfinder's is 9 inches

Comfort, Convenience and Safety

• A windshield wiper de-icer is available on CX-9, but not on Pathfinder
• Heated and ventilated leather trimmed front seats are available on CX-9 but not on Pathfinder

---

HYUNDAI PALISADE

Pricing

• The Palisade starts around $1,300 lower, but is missing many features standard on CX-9:
  • i-Activ AWD® with Off-Road Traction Assist
  • Heated front seats
  • Three-zone automatic climate control

Performance

• More torque with premium fuel (320 lb-ft) and non-premium fuel (310 lb-ft), vs. 262 lb-ft on the Palisade
• GVC Plus standard; no comparable system on the Palisade
• While CX-9 has standard AWD, the Palisade only offers its HTRAC AWD as on option on every trim
• Better fuel economy (city/highway/combined): 20/26/23 mpg vs. 19/24/21 mpg for Palisade AWD

Design & Craftsmanship

• CX-9's exterior is refined and elegant; regarding Palisade's exterior, Kelley Blue Book said, "Some people like the look, and some people hate it."
• LED taillights are standard; available only on the highest Palisade trim or as an extra-cost option

Convenience and Safety

• Mazda Connect™ display and Commander control minimizes distraction; the Palisade touch screen display lacks a central knob
• Mazda Connected Services come standard and allow remote interaction with CX-9; BlueLink Connected Car System is available only on higher Palisade trims
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers standard; only available on top Palisade trims