Nissan Murano vs Toyota Highlander vs Subaru B9 Tribeca vs Honda Pilot
Hi all!
I am currently checking out the above mentioned mid size sub 40K SUVs. I was surprised not to find a comparison of the Highlander and Murano and thought I would add the new Tribeca too.
I am looking for Sat Nav as a very important feature all three cars have it available though at the high end scale.
I am looking for advice and ideas that I'm sure others have considered before me. Thanks in advance.
I am currently checking out the above mentioned mid size sub 40K SUVs. I was surprised not to find a comparison of the Highlander and Murano and thought I would add the new Tribeca too.
I am looking for Sat Nav as a very important feature all three cars have it available though at the high end scale.
I am looking for advice and ideas that I'm sure others have considered before me. Thanks in advance.
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Comments
When the smoke clears it basically comes down to 5 things:
1. - Gas Mileage - Murano is the best unless you go for a Highlander hybrid.
2. - Features - the Tribeca gives you a lot of features standard that you need to upgrade to get in the other models. You need Nav so that's not really an issue
3, - Space - Tribeca wins here but not by much..
4.- Drive it - which ever you like better wins - they are all good cars.
5. - The dealer - A reputable dealer is the most important thing to me! I'm in NJ and the highway dealers are mostly crooks - They treat you like cattle.
The Tribeca has the lowest center of gravity of the 3 with the largest wheels (w/4 wheel vented disc brakes) on paper it should be more stable on the road. Again you need to drive it and wait for reviews to come out.
I have a 2001 base Forester and it handles like a cheetah. very surefooted. For me it's Subaru.
Charlie
Good Luck!
Mike G., Phoenix
I just bought the Garmin c330, it is better than any in-car NAV. It is simply amazing, the accuracy, easy of use, portability.
Also I would expect the Murano to be faster, since it has a decided torque advantage.
I think styling is a draw, each has it's own love-it-or-hate-it front end.
The Murano solves all those problems quite easily. But I love the "classic styling" of the Highlander, when I see a silver or gold one drive by my heart goes pitterpat. I currently have a 2001 Outback and I still do like the Subaru. The Tribeca and the Murano have such modern styling I'm not 100% sure I'm comfortable with for the next 3-5 years, though perhaps the Highlander will look real old in that same 3-5 years, a Toyota dealer showed me the prototype Highlander 2007 and it looks more like the Murano and Tribeca than the current Highlander.
I'm still investigating pricing but it seems the Murano and Tribeca MSRPs would be about 2-3k more than the Highlander but I'm not quite sure what actual deals can be negotiated. I would think it would be hardest for the brand new Tribeca though we have bought 2 Subarus fron the same dealer and are happy doing business there.
I've only looked at the B9X brochure so I can't really comment on it, other than it has a nice lookin interior, but I don't like the exterior at (especially the front end).
I've driven a Highlander and the ride was very sedan like. Interior was typical Toyota - simple and functional. To me, it was a bland vehicle, not an exciting ride.
I ended up getting a Murano. Ride is more sports-car like - very smooth ride, but if you push it, it responds like a sports car. It did take me a while to get used to the exterior before I considered it. Compared to the B9x and the Highlander, you get a lot of equipment - Bose 6 disc CD, HID lamps, Moonroof, power front/heated seats, auto climate control,etc. Also standard that few vehicles have are:
reclining rear seats, power adjustable pedals, CVT (which is so smooth)
And like bodbl3 mentioned, birds-eye NAV, smartkey, and a rear backup monitor are available.
Test drive them all, and your instincts will decide for you. Good luck!
Bob
Steve, Host
Bob
Nosing around the Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X) board, it seems that Subaru aimed at the Pilot and Highlander market.
We aren't adverse to tossing more cars into the mix if people want to.
No one has mentioned the MDX either (but it's early yet).
Steve, Host
• Pilot EX (not LX).
• Murano SL (that trim level only)
• Volvo XC90 2.5 AWD
• VW Touareg V6
I know there are others too, but those are the ones SOA feels are the primary competition, as the others were not listed.
Bob
If you'll allow me a bit of Monday morning cynicism, I think I'd be worried about cannibalizing Outback sales....
Steve, Host
Tribeca's DVD is the biggest in the SUV segment - 9". Most are 7" nowadays, only the Honda Odyssey minivan has gone to a 9" screen.
Just for fun, I priced the other two out just like a loaded Tribeca (NAV, DVD, heated leather seats, big rims, etc.), and MSRP comes out to $38k for the Tribeca, $39k for the Highlander, and $41k for the Murano.
The latter two may have rebates and deeper discounts so I think price is a wash, pick the one you like best. Murano does offer some unique features but then it'll cost more so like I said, price is roughly the same.
-juice
rsholland, "The Forums Test Drive Team" #157, 23 May 2005 6:50 pm
Steve, Host
Bob
Steve, Host
So I don't know if we'll see lower prices for the 2006 Outback VDC, but if not the value shopper will buy the Tribeca.
-juice
Bob
Tribeca is priced aggressively.
We'll have to see if they make NAV standard on the 06 OB VDC, but if so they'd still better not raise prices much if at all.
-juice
Oh and I forgot to mention that is the coolest & most unique looking. Nothing is me too about this SUV.
For the most part, it seems like it would be Subaru's marketing firm, rather than the actual salespeople, that lure those Pilot shoppers into the showroom. Whether or not the salespeople steer them toward Outback or Tribeca once they're in the showroom... like you said, Steve, it'll be interesting. I'm an Outback owner, and tentatively would like to move up to a Tribeca.
Seems like folks in the general B9 Tribeca thread have mentioned considering switching from Honda & Mazda minivans, from Mercedes, BMW, Acura, and even Lexus SUVs, and from other Subarus, so I think Subaru's target is true, and they may even perhaps pull in a few more high-end customers than expected... those who aren't brand snobs, anyway.
I must admit the high-end Murano's features are VERY appealing, though I'd never buy one. I didn't realize they had that type of equipment available. Must be stealing from the Infiniti parts bin. Those are the features Subaru needs to incorporate, especially the high-end sound system, rear camera, telescoping wheel and memory seats/wheel. Perhaps we'll see these features on whatever LL Bean-type edition comes out next.
Excellent point. I killed my TV back in '99 and, what with popup blockers, etc. on my browsers, forgot about all that marketing stuff :-).
I haven't kept up with the Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X) discussion but so far this discussion seems pretty heavily weighed with existing Subaru owners so I didn't know if any Honda or Nissan fans were on the radar.
It should help when some of them actually hit the roads too.
Steve, Host
Just playing devil's advocate, but that's what they were initially saying about the AMC Pacer too.
Congrats to both of you, by the way.
Did anyone ever call the Pacer cool? :surprise:
-juice
Listening for the chirps leaves your eyes free use side mirrors and look for other hazards. Also, snow, dirt and darkness have no effect with ultra-sonic systems.
Another negative of the camera based system is you scare the crap out many drivers of the car you are backing up to because they think your not look at what your doing. You get honked at a lot.
If you have Nav, though, you already have the screen, it seems it wouldn't cost too much more to add the rear view camera. I bet Subaru will add this (and maybe HIDs) as running changes the next model year.
-juice
The dealer is checking because aftermarket kits have limited colors for the sensors. My B9 is Atlantic Blue Pearl - so if the sensors have to be mounted in the Blue portion of the bumper they will have to get them painted.
If you like DIY - the kits cost between 90 and 150 bucks.
I'm pretty handy but I do not trust myself to drill 4 holes in my B9's bumper
I figure Volvo is safety conscious so I'll go with front driver/passenger airbags, front torso bags, and side air curtains in both rows. The Pilot doesn't have torso bags in front so that was out although it does have side air curtains. The Acura has them but not worth extra $$$$.
That leaves Lexus, Murano, Tribeca, Highlander, 4Runner plus several others that you can get as optional equipment the airbags. To get the safety features in the 4 Runner you have to get the V8 which kills the gas mileage so that one is out. The Highlander is usual around where I live and I want something different so that one is out.
The Lexus is great but don't want to spend that much so we're down to the Murano and Tribeca. I think these two are comparable. I haven't driven the Murano yet but I don't think the fit and finish is going to be near the Tribeca.
The Murano has a couple of features that the Tribeca doesn't, but the Tribeca has standard air filter which I've read is good for anyone in stop/go traffic every day like me. Also standard are the traction control/stability control which you have to get the most expensive Murano to get and a lot of dealers aren't stocking them with the traction control.
I'm still going to test the Murano so I know for sure that I'm getting the best thing for me but I'm pretty sure when it comes to it I'll probably be buying the Tribeca. You can't beat the standard features which is what luxury should be...STANDARD. Not some pricey group of options or lumping things together so to get the one you really want you have to get a bunch you don't. The only thing I really wish it had was the key pad to open the doors. I have that now on my Explorer and it'll be an adjustment for me, because I can go into a ball game or concert and lock my keys in and not have to take them.
I guess it all depends on what is most important to each buyer, but that's my take on it.
-juice
Pilot is bigger and truckier than other 3 models in this thread. I'd argue that the Endeavor is actually a closer competitor than the Pilot.
-juice
What do you mean by "Tribeca has standard air filter"? Doesn't all vehicles have an air filter? If you mean cabin air filter, the Murano does have one as well. As for the Traction control (VDC) it is a dumb thing to make you purchase the Touring Package to get that as an option. I do encourage you to test drive the Murano - I think you will love the ride, the CVT transmission, and spaciousness of the cabin, as well as some of the extras few SUVs have (birds-eye NAV, Smart Key access, rear backup camera).
PS. I too owned an Explorer before my Murano and I totally miss the keypad.
-juice
Seriously looked at B5, X90, Pilot, 4 Runner, Highlander, new Pathfinder, Murano. Different flavor each month since last fall, nothing was just right. I was actively searching for a 2003-2004 MDX when I stumbled upon that first rendering / concept drawing of the B9. Intrigued, I kept it on the "list" and grew further impressed the more I found out. Finally, a long test drive and I bought one; awaiting delivery soon. Just found a buyer for my Avalon this afternoon.
Right now, I look forward to leaving all those other vehicles mentioned in the dust!
The defence rests.
Anyway, we waited several years for the Tribeca... ended up buying a base 2004 MDX in Sept. for $33K. That should be in this mix. Best value out there. I can read a map and I sure as hell don't want a boob tube in my car. 9K miles and riding smooth... Just attached the painted spoiler on it this weekend to get rid of the minivan edge. It worked. The MDX may be reaching 5 years old but it will still look good 5 years from now...unlike the Pilot and Highlander.
dherzfeld, if you don't believe in air bags - go to the Insurance Institute website and look up their 2003 research on side curtain air bags. If you understand what they wrote, you would never buy a car without them. That was the final straw that led us to the MDX...at that price point - 4yr./50,000 miles warranty, curtain air bags, service at Honda. Plenty of room from my head to the driver side glass...and an air bag to boot. I certainly "spent a bunch of money for airbags that I've never used." Thank god....my family's lives are worth it.
Ralph
PS...I know this isn't the right thread but 74K miles on the 2001 LLBean and still flawless...except those front rotors/pads...need a new set. The only design flaw on that Outback...and the whistling front window gossets...otherwise it's amazingly reliable. :-)
OB is the best made vehicle ever, i only hope Tribeca ride is equally good or better. I will have to wait till i drive.
The styling and appeal of the Subaru brand have never really caught my eye. The Pilot (and MDX by extension) seem a little top heavy and truck like (sluggish) to me, and besides we already have an Odyssey in the family. Pilot and Highlander both suffer from a bland exterior, IMO. Murano on the other hand seems to be the best combination of SUV ride height, sports sedan power and handling, and curb appeal.
Ralph: no paycheck, but if you have any ideas or want to send me money please do!
Subaru did invite me (and Bob) up to HQ on Tuesday for a Ride-n-Drive event, so we'll get a good chance to really test the Tribeca away from public roads.
Tribeca has bigger brakes than your OB and door frames to quiet wind noise. Though I'd miss my light frameless doors.
At $33k the MDX is a solid value, I remember people were paying MSRP for those for years. Does yours have leather?
Test drove a cloth 7 seat Tribeca yesterday and was thoroughly impressed. It's not perfect, but I still want one.
Here is my take on it:
ateixeira, "Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)" #3137, 26 May 2005 10:39 am
-juice
I have a 97 Explorer which only has the front airbags for driver and passenger. My mom had one too the exact vehicle just about and was in an accident up against a small Nissan car and it did a world of damage to her vehicle and her unfortunately. She is fine but it crosses my mind enough I don't want to have to go through what she has and definitely want the best for my child. It probably doesn't help I'm in risk management!
Also, Pilot only has torso bag in front not curtains-that's why I don't want it. Head injuries are usually more serious so it would seem more important than torso bags.
I will definitely test drive Murano however before signing on the dotted line. A friend of mine has one and I really don't want her to think I'm copying! Ha!
Thanks