which should I get?

We just put 2100 miles on our CX-9 over the last 10 days and averaged almost 21 mpg during that time. Not too shabby for a 7 passanger SUV.

My biased vote....CX-9!

We like our pilot okay. Gets very high marks for reliability & crash test results on Consumer Reports. However, the ride is pretty stiff & truck-like.

Thanks. We havent test driven either of those two yet, although it is probably between one or the other.

The Acadia will have the nicest interior & features, but will be the least reliable. My father drives one and it is really nice. We just put too many miles on a car to deal with GMC reliability, though.

We went through the same dilema 3 months ago.

Our list that we test drove was:

Toyota Hylander
Mazda CX-9
Honda Pilot
Saturn Outlook

The first one that got eliminated was the CX-9 because it was least practicle for what we wanted and because of cost of ownership and reliability issues.

The Outlook went next. A bit of a sluggish feeling ride and I've been bitten by GM reliability in the past. I will admit, I really liked the Outlook.

So, Hylander and Pilot. I liked both. Both rode well, looked very nice, and were practical. Both got similar excellent reviews as well as having great safety and reliability history.

Who won? Honda. The 08' Hylander was new, the 08' Pilot was the last year before the redesign. Honda was willing to negotiate much more that Toyota. End of story.

I looked at all of those before I bought the Accord (!) and the I was most impressed with the CX-9

I don't see how anyone can say a Pilot has a truck like ride. Our 2006 is smooth, quiet, and handles well. BTW - not one problem in almost 70K miles since buying in Oct. 2006.

I have no experience with the new one. But the early reviews are very good.

My sister has a 2008 CX9 and is very pleased with it. Not quite as roomy as some, but excellent handling and ride (as usual for Mazda). Her family drove it to Michigan and back using a roof carrier.

"I don't see how anyone can say a Pilot has a truck like ride."

Well, because our '07 Pilot rides like it has no shocks or springs at all once you get on the sh*tty, uneven, pothole ridden streets around Midtown Houston or the Medical Center. It rides just fine on the perfectly smooth streets out in the burbs though. The Pilot has a stiff suspension that aids in handling but will rattle your teeth on crummy roads.

Also note that the Pilot will likely have the most storage space of the three. You're supposed to be able to lay a whole 4x8 sheet of plywood flat in the back, though I've never tried it.

Here is a recent comparison test that includes the Pilot and the CX-9.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=128367

Consumer Reports Review of the 08's.

Highlander: 80 pts.
Pilot 79 pts.
CX-9 71pts.

Cost of ownership of the three with similar options such that the MSRP's are all within $1000 of each other. By Edmonds.

Highlander: $ 50,600
Pilot: $ 48,100
CX-9: $ 59,500

That's why the CX-9 was first to be eliminated for us, that and having a smaller cargo area.

Edit: Forgot the other thing. CX-9 was the only one to have a below average reliability from Consumer Reports.

[This message has been edited by aggiedent (edited 8/19/2008 11:17a).]

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a whole 4x8 sheet of plywood flat

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The Acadia will have the nicest interior & features

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having been in all the both(my brother owns an Acadia) I strongly disagree here. the Mazda has much nicer interior materials, and fitment.

to the OP, go drive them all. the CX-9 has a great look inside and out, and drives great. the Acadia looks great on the outside, and probably has the best 3rd row functionality of the three. the pilot is a honda, 'nough said.

thanks for all the input!