Hi everybody! Just joining the forum since we just bought a "new" 2018 CX-9 GT with AWD. Snagged one that had 11,000 miles on it from a local dealer who had been using it as their loaner vehicle for the past year. We are a 1-vehicle family with 3 kids and the Tacoma was getting too cramped for them in the back. We actually had a 2013 CX-9 before the Tacoma, but we needed the bed to haul odd items (before we moved). Now that we don't have to haul anything for the forseeable future, we wanted to go back to a fun people-hauler.
We did get a chance to drive a few vehicles. Not a fan of the Highlander at all. We did drive the brand new Hyundai Palasade which is using a Genesis 6-cylinder engine that we really liked. It was a bit bigger, and with better viability, than the CX-9 and comes with some neat new tech (if you get the top tier trim). But best of all, it came with an amazing factory warranty. We were strongly considering it except that they were not budging from MSRP because they had people lined up on a waiting list for them. My only hesitation was with the 4WD system. It is a FWD vehicle that has to be changed to 4WD by locking the center diff manually. Not something I want my wife worrying about now that we moved to the mid-west.
The CX-9 is a smoother ride than the Palasade and it handles a little better since it's smaller. But while looking at 2019 CX-9's, we came across the 2018 for almost $15k less than a new Limited Palasade...it was a no-brainer. Honestly, I'm surprised how effortless it is to drive the CX-9 (especially compared to the truck).
And I must say that the heads-up-display is just frigging fun!
Today the Android Auto/Carplay upgrade is getting installed and all-weather floor mats are on order.
We did get a chance to drive a few vehicles. Not a fan of the Highlander at all. We did drive the brand new Hyundai Palasade which is using a Genesis 6-cylinder engine that we really liked. It was a bit bigger, and with better viability, than the CX-9 and comes with some neat new tech (if you get the top tier trim). But best of all, it came with an amazing factory warranty. We were strongly considering it except that they were not budging from MSRP because they had people lined up on a waiting list for them. My only hesitation was with the 4WD system. It is a FWD vehicle that has to be changed to 4WD by locking the center diff manually. Not something I want my wife worrying about now that we moved to the mid-west.
The CX-9 is a smoother ride than the Palasade and it handles a little better since it's smaller. But while looking at 2019 CX-9's, we came across the 2018 for almost $15k less than a new Limited Palasade...it was a no-brainer. Honestly, I'm surprised how effortless it is to drive the CX-9 (especially compared to the truck).
And I must say that the heads-up-display is just frigging fun!
Today the Android Auto/Carplay upgrade is getting installed and all-weather floor mats are on order.