THE BATTLE OF 3-ROW JAPANESE SUVs // HONDA PILOT vs TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER vs MAZDA CX-90

Which of the 3-row, full-sized Japanese SUVs is the best? That's the question David attempts to answer by comparing 2024 Honda Pilot to the all-new Toyota Grand Highlander and the Mazda CX-90. All three have strengths and weaknesses, and therefore the comparison is tricky - but David deciphers the differences and tells you which one to buy based on your criteria.

Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).

David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[jerzypawlik]

I drove all of them, and because of the best quality, craftsmanship fun to drive, and handling, I decided to buy Mazda CX-90.

[SIMPLEHECHO]

Chose the Pilot Touring because it has the V6 and is simpler to service. The Car Care Nut gave an overview of the Mazda and noted that several repairs would require pulling the motor out which would require a lot work. The Pilot however was much easier to service.

[JoeE.]

I find the new Pathfinder even better than the Pilot, which only advantage is it's bigger in size.

[mso]

Is there a way to measure sheet metal thickness. Some cars tend to dent more easily than others. My experience with Toyota products is that the sheet metal seems to be very thin.

[chuntsechien]

I am the cargo and space buyer. Grand Highlander is the king.

[mr.b.]

Thank you, Thank you...your unique insight and approach to your reviews are next level!

[pv]

The Pilot actually has a new updated engine with dual overhead cams opposed to the last gen single overhead cams

[westqueenwesthomes]

David, The paint on my Honda Pilot form 2013 started pealing in sheets, just as my warranty ran out. Honda refused to stand behind their crappy paint quality and I swore never to work with Honda again.

Do you know if Honda made a real effort to avoid their notorious paint issues on many of their models through the years?

[CrippleCreekStudios]

We purchased a 2023 Honda Pilot Touring. Had it for about a year and a half now. Our one “complaint” is the seats. They just seem too stiff or not cushioned right. Long distance trips (12 hour drive from St. Louis to Colorado Springs) have been not as comfortable as we expected. If Honda improved that; it would be 10 out of 10. Thanks for all the work you do.

[pedrofernandez]

When it comes to gaps and alignment, does it not depend more on the robots and not so much on the human workers

[asranssrg]

I drove all of them, and because of the best quality, comfort in each row, dependability (of hybrid engine), feature values, suspension, and handling, I decided to buy the Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited. The Mazda CX-90 was too narrow in all three rows for seating and their past and new engines are unknown for reliability. Prior ten years on the turbo and non turbo engines has been low reliability. The Honda had strong NA engines but the fit and finish was cheap, I opened the door by the grab handle during a test drive and the plastic flexed so much I thought I broke it and hard plastics in second, third and trunk were all present at shoulder level and below; it felt like a twenty year old quality in a new design.

[victorbeasley]

Hi David, I know you don't review volvos, but are they reliable vehicles?thanks for all your reviews..currently I drive a Honda Pilot 😅

[ecastaneda]

I like them all but ultimately chose the pilot trailsport and am very pleased with it.

[sizzlacalunji]

100% agree David. I think Honda did a good job offering a balance between the CX-90 (which looks very good) and Grand Highlander. I have drifted my Pilot in the winter and done 360s. It’s the closest rear bias after the CX-90. I bought the Pilot considering family.

If it was me only, had 1 kid or if both my kids were smaller like 4 and younger I would have gotten the CX-90. My preteen can’t sit comfortably so it’s was a no-go.

[JJustinXu]

Grand Highlander and Highlander are best in class with reliability, dependability, efficiency, trims to choose from, engine types, cargo space, etc!!!

[briboo]

Why don’t you give review on Nissan ? They’re still a Japanese brand.

[NoorSirajudeen]

Hi,
Request you to do a video on mazda cx90 mild hybrid model - i stop feature and how mileage works?? Should istop coasting (accelerate and cruise) be done on road purposely to improve mileage as ice would turn off and run on 48V battery??
Or
Would cruise control affect mileage in this mild hybrid model as istop will never turn on when cruise control is on.

[brandon_buildsDIY]

The pathfinder is a great shout, awesome drivetrain and cheaper.

[digressor]

Unfortunate that Nissan really has lost the respect of automotive journalists that they don’t consider their products as competitors to the popular car brands, even their fellow Japanese ones.

I don’t mind the snobbery Nissan receives as we consumers get a better deal than the others, at least here in Canada. Comparing the top trims of each Japanese 3-row SUV, the Pathfinder Platinum undercuts them all by almost $10k CAD while remaining competitive.

[dumbdee]

David, do you know when Toyota is going to start to sell the Grand Highlander again?