Thoughts about cars ---- from the Canadian International Auto Show
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Agreed....a strip of wood (or fake wood) should probably not be either a deal-maker or a deal-beaker. It can, though, be a nicer touch on what is already a nice product.
#32
Lexus Champion
I agree. But if you are sitting in a "family" SUV with nice wood trim, and upgraded leather, after sitting in a Honda or Toyota, many people will "feel" like it's more upscale. PLUS the price is good. PLUS it's got the best gas mileage in the category. Non-car people are swayed by a multitude of things--including lack of a panoramic sunroof...
#33
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I agree. But if you are sitting in a "family" SUV with nice wood trim, and upgraded leather, after sitting in a Honda or Toyota, many people will "feel" like it's more upscale. PLUS the price is good. PLUS it's got the best gas mileage in the category. Non-car people are swayed by a multitude of things--including lack of a panoramic sunroof...
#34
Lexus Test Driver
How does the CX9 drive compared to the others. That's a HUGE factor when comparing any car even though it's primarily built for utility. I primarily chose the Odyssey over the Sienna because of how it handled and felt. If I'm going to haul this around all weekend with the kids, it better feel okay. I've driven SUVs where taking any turn felt like it would roll. If the CX9 feels more like an X5 than a Highlander, I could see people going for it.
#35
Lexus Champion
I think the new CX-9 is great, but a bit too small for us and I'm just not on board with the 4 cylinder, but the interior is beautiful.
No panoramic sunroof is a deal breaker for us. After having it in the Highlander, I don't think we would go back.
No panoramic sunroof is a deal breaker for us. After having it in the Highlander, I don't think we would go back.
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
How does the CX9 drive compared to the others. That's a HUGE factor when comparing any car even though it's primarily built for utility. I primarily chose the Odyssey over the Sienna because of how it handled and felt. If I'm going to haul this around all weekend with the kids, it better feel okay. I've driven SUVs where taking any turn felt like it would roll. If the CX9 feels more like an X5 than a Highlander, I could see people going for it.
After seeing all of the brands under the same roof, it is amazing to see what people are flocking to and what they pick up. On paper, the CX9 should be a big winner. But apparently not.
#37
Lexus Fanatic
Did Buick have the next-generation 2018 Regal there at the show? With new Veranos disappearing from the American market, that is going to become a more important model in Buick's line-up. There are also strong rumors of a 5-door wagon version coming over from Europe, where the Opel version has been quite popular. Combine that with the AWD option that the Regal currently has, and that could (?) be a good competitor to upper-trim versions of the Subaru Outback and lower-trim versions of the Audi All-road and Volvo XC-70...though the Regal's lower-stance and suspension might actually place it closer to the Legacy wagon, which was discontinued in the U.S. several years ago.
I was hoping to see the Next-Gen Regal here in D.C. last month, but Buick did not bring it.
I was hoping to see the Next-Gen Regal here in D.C. last month, but Buick did not bring it.
#38
Lexus Champion
Looking at Mazda's January sales you can see that the CX5 (old model about to be updated) is their high volume bread and butter CUV. It sold 8,068 units vs. the new CX9 at 1,591. Only one month but still telling.
For 2016 it was 112,235 CX5's vs. 16,051 CX9's.
Hopefully the new CX9 catches on with buyers.
For 2016 it was 112,235 CX5's vs. 16,051 CX9's.
Hopefully the new CX9 catches on with buyers.
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Looking at Mazda's January sales you can see that the CX5 (old model about to be updated) is their high volume bread and butter CUV. It sold 8,068 units vs. the new CX9 at 1,591. Only one month but still telling.
For 2016 it was 112,235 CX5's vs. 16,051 CX9's.
Hopefully the new CX9 catches on with buyers.
For 2016 it was 112,235 CX5's vs. 16,051 CX9's.
Hopefully the new CX9 catches on with buyers.
Toyota itself has experienced that trying to break into the domestic full-size pick-up market.
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Part of the problem with the CX-9 is not the vehicle itself, but simply the huge popularity of the Highlander, Explorer, and Pilot. Those three are so entrenched in the marketplace that it is difficult for competitors to seriously challenge them.
Toyota itself has experienced that trying to break into the domestic full-size pick-up market.
Toyota itself has experienced that trying to break into the domestic full-size pick-up market.
Looking at Mazda's January sales you can see that the CX5 (old model about to be updated) is their high volume bread and butter CUV. It sold 8,068 units vs. the new CX9 at 1,591. Only one month but still telling.
For 2016 it was 112,235 CX5's vs. 16,051 CX9's.
Hopefully the new CX9 catches on with buyers.
For 2016 it was 112,235 CX5's vs. 16,051 CX9's.
Hopefully the new CX9 catches on with buyers.
#42
Lexus Champion
How does the CX9 drive compared to the others. That's a HUGE factor when comparing any car even though it's primarily built for utility. I primarily chose the Odyssey over the Sienna because of how it handled and felt. If I'm going to haul this around all weekend with the kids, it better feel okay. I've driven SUVs where taking any turn felt like it would roll. If the CX9 feels more like an X5 than a Highlander, I could see people going for it.
Last edited by tex2670; 02-25-17 at 11:27 AM.
#43
Lexus Champion
Part of the problem with the CX-9 is not the vehicle itself, but simply the huge popularity of the Highlander, Explorer, and Pilot. Those three are so entrenched in the marketplace that it is difficult for competitors to seriously challenge them.
Toyota itself has experienced that trying to break into the domestic full-size pick-up market.
Toyota itself has experienced that trying to break into the domestic full-size pick-up market.
#44
Lexus Fanatic
And, in fact, Mazda changed the engine choices in the 2nd MY, so you could say the initial roll-out wasn't perfect. The compact CUV market is pretty crowded, and the CX-5 seemed to do a good job making a name there.
#45
Lexus Champion
How does the CX9 drive compared to the others. That's a HUGE factor when comparing any car even though it's primarily built for utility. I primarily chose the Odyssey over the Sienna because of how it handled and felt. If I'm going to haul this around all weekend with the kids, it better feel okay. I've driven SUVs where taking any turn felt like it would roll. If the CX9 feels more like an X5 than a Highlander, I could see people going for it.
The automotive press has long raved about Mazda driving dynamics vs its competitors, and the same is true for the new CX-9. But, again, outside car people, I do not think most people car about this, and I do think, in this class, most customers would prefer a soft, cushy, floaty ride. And most don't even really know what they are buying. My neighbor has a Santa Fe coming off lease. I suggested he look at the new CX-9, and told him it will get better gas mileage with the turbo 4. He said "I thought I have a 4." And this is a guy that won't buy new underwear without extensive research. Car buying is intimidating for a lot of people, and many just make a decision based on some odd thing that we would never think of.
Well you could have said the exact same thing about the CX-5 when it first debuted, as compared to the CR-V, RAV-4 and Escape. And, in fact, Mazda changed the engine choices in the 2nd MY, so you could say the initial roll-out wasn't perfect. The compact CUV market is pretty crowded, and the CX-5 seemed to do a good job making a name there.