2023 Pilot vs Mazda CX90/70 vs. ?
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These comments really scare me. Seems to be a consistent feeling on this forum that the Pilot's interior is lagging compared to the others. I love Hondas and that's all my wife and I have had for 11 years now, but I really ain't in the mood to drop 50K on a middling interior.
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I get where you're comin from. I would not characterize Pilot's interior to be lagging as all that glitters is not gold. Mazda went the extra mile from the aesthetics viewpoint. The Pilot is super functional on the inside, that is more ideal for growing North American families.
Nope, the second row arm rests are not attached to the seats. Remove that center console so there is a pass through to the third row and where your passengers gonna put their arms?!? I’m out.
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Where the CX-90 is really going to poach buyers are MDX-type S, Volvo XC-90 Recharge, plug-in, and Lexus RX-350h/500h if it is priced several tens of thousand dollars less. I dont think Honda Pilot is the main target so folks here can rest easy, no need to get your panties in a twist.
Any good competitor could squeeze the Pilot though....especially if Mazda prices this aggressively. Someone who doesn't care THAT much about 3rd row seat could easily be drawn to the CX-90 (I am intrigued myself even though I am currently engaged to be married to a Pilot Elite any day now - for me the size was an issue which is why we crossed MDX off the list). I think MDX regular is going to be hugely pressured. What does MDX offer that CX-90 doesn't? CX-90 has gobs more power!
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I fit in the category where I need a somewhat decent 3rd row for elementary school kids and short adults. 75% of the time the 3rd row will be folded and CX-90 seems to be winning for folks like me (IF PRICED RIGHT). If there is $10k delta between the Pilot EXL AWD and the CX90 Touring (second from base), then I might go for the Pilot.
Sorry MDX, you're just not worth it anymore. The Pilot and the CX90 are better options.
Yep. I think the MDX is all of a sudden in a real awkward spot. It is hard to believe someone looking at both CX-90 and MDX and saying yeah, let me pay a few more thousand for a non-hybrid MDX with almost 100 less HP and similar sized interior. Does the CX-90 just have a typical touchscreen too instead of the "touchpad" I assume? Or it kinda looked like that growling narrator who was pleasuring himself while talking about the new CX-90 was turning and clicking a little knob....did they go with an i-drive style thingy where you need to rotate and manipulate a rotary knob instead of just having a touchscreen?
From the reviews, the screen / OS is only accessed through the rotary dial. They said it will work as a touchscreen only in Apple / Android CarPlay but only when stationary. For everything else, I hope a buyer liked BMW’s iDrive as it appears to have a similar setup.
Ugh well that is a potential loss of 5 points on my scorecard haha. Is that the way the CX9 works currently? If so I guess makes sense if that is their thing
Yes, that is the way the CX-9 works. It is a PITA but since I have learned to live with it, it would not be a dealbreaker.
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Since 2006, I've owned 11 Hondas, 1 Acura, and 2 Mazdas. The build quality of my 2020 CX-5 Signature was much better than that of my 2019 RDX Advance and the material quality and design much better than a CR-V. My 2019 MX-5 Miata is was built better and actually has fewer rattles than my 2021 Ridgeline. I've had zero problems with the Miata in the three years I've owned it and had zero problems with the CX-5. I've had dozens of problems with the Hondas and Acura I've owned since 2016 - they've never left me stranded, but I've had more problems with my Hondas than my parents have had with their Chevrolets...and that's embarrassing considering how much of a Honda advocate I was for years. Quality is no longer a primary characteristic of Hondas and hasn't been for a while. They are, however, thoughtfully designed and make good use of available space.
If you have experienced the 22 MDX, Civic or the 23 CRV or HRV Honda has stepped up its build quality. New platforms for their trucks /SUV and new global architecture for sedans and small CUV'S. My wife has a new CRV and I can say it's built a lot better that the 20 she had. She has had it 4 months now with zero issues
I am in a similar category —the only difference being that the 3rd row would be folded 100% of the time. I like the fact that the floor now appears to be flat with the seats folded down. If they increased the hatch opening dimensions, I could live with the smaller cargo capacity in comparison to the Pilot.
I like the exterior of both vehicles equally well, but prefer the wheels on the Mazda. The interior of the CX-90 wins hands down. The colors are more harmonious and everything flows so much better. I removed the gray interior from consideration in the Pilot for that very reason. I admit to having OCD, but it bothers me that the touchscreen of the Pilot is not centered over the HVAC controls.
Having said that, I am also waiting to see how the pricing comes in. If a comparably equipped CX-90 is close in price to the EX-L, then I would definitely choose the Mazda. The in-line 6 and rear wheel bias is worth paying a premium over the Honda--I am just not sure how much more…
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Clearly a lot of consumers do. Even if the vehicle never goes off road, it portrays them as adventurous and manufacturers want to cash in on that.
The sales will tell the tale, in recent history Mazda has been an also-ran in every category except with the CX-5. So lets see if this vehicle changes their fortunes.
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One reviewer ( Motormouth) mentioned one can enable touchscreen functionality ( including when driving) via the settings menu, this needs to be verified as a Mazda exec dropped that information to him during the reveal. That said , imo, Mazda's rotary drive knob is a lot easier to use than Acura's pad
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Honda has had middling interior design for as long as I can remember. But the material quality and switchgear have always been high and the functionality/storage has always been the best in the class. What's a higher priority?
Agreed.
Oh gosh, please don't. I can barely understand what constitutes true captain's chairs at this time and another version thrown into the mix will make my head explode.
I doubt it. Brands that have tried to go upmarket have struggled a lot, whether their product was worth it or not. I don't see the CX-90 bringing to the table what Genesis has done or Lexus did back in the day. I've said it before, if they try to be VW of the 90s and early 2000s with the "semi premium" approach I don't think it will work. Most Americans see you as a mainstream brand and will not see you as anything but.
To throw another consideration into the mix: if I've interpreted correctly, Mazda will be offering three different types of second row seating: 1. Bench seat accommodating three passengers. 2. Two seats with a center console that appears not to fold up or be removable. 3. Captain's chairs with inboard arm rests and a pass through. I have no idea which options would be available on which trim levels. Has anyone else seen the same info?
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