Family SUV Drag Race: Nissan Pathfinder vs Mazda CX-9 vs Honda Pilot vs Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Join this channel to get access to perks: / @samcarlegion
Indeed! And that ZF 9-speed is really good at taking advantage of an engine’s powerband. We have that transmission in our MDX and it makes it feel much faster than a rental MDX with the 10-speed.
@@GermancogNissan always had pretty reliable transmissions, they messed up when they switched to cvts, their 4, 5, 7, auto transmission were all pretty decent even the hybrid Q50 3.5L.
Owned a 2007 Quest for 10 years. Mind you it was a gas guzzler. But when it was time to haul, even with a fully loaded Minivan, getting up to speed felt natural. Pretty fantastic engine the VQ.
@@kuntekinte6246 Goes to show the average buyer of these cars knows nothing about performance. A turbocharger can more than make up for the difference in cylinder count.
I think mazda cx9 won the formula of highest torque, best fuel consumption, fun to drive and very good performance among the four cars even though I believe cx90 should be the one selected with the other cars since they are already latest models. Thanks for your efforts.
The oldest car with the least power, fewest number of cylinders, smallest displacement, AND by far the fewest number of gears in its transmissions really put up a great fight. Underrated af
The fewest number of gears yet the most tunable of all, that transmission can hold a lot of power it’s not old or weak. I’d argue the pathfinder and pilot have the oldest engine technology, yet having better gear ratios on NA due to less stress from torque, torque kills transmission not horsepower
I drive a 2016 CX9, first model year of that generation, great car, some of them had problems with cylinder head cracking but my example has been great at 120K mi with no issues, we also have a 2023 CX5 turbo with the same motor and despite the difference in age in miles they run exactly the same it's remarkable! The CX9 is FWD and it really surprises me somtimes with torquesteer or otherwise the front pulling straight on when I put my foot down a bit coming around a corner, it's very fun to drive for being a three row, handles like a normal car Terrible MPG though on both
this makes me wonder the potential the Maxima or Nissan in general would’ve had if they didnt stuff CVTs in their entire lineup. just insane but here we are today.
VQ35 still moving. Sorry I missed out on this one. Nice to see the current Pathfinder with the 9AT in action. 39k on my 2022 now, and as good as the day I picked it up.
The mazda cx9 so significantly underpowered with more fuel efficiency and no cvt and still keeping up in the top end. It is also the oldest car in this group. It first debuted in 2016.....amazing.
Considering the 200kg weight disadvantage of the Grand Cherokee L over the rest of the pack it did quite well in my honest opinion, I will agree the Nissan needs to ditch the CVT in all their vehicles and go back to conventional automatics.
My mom has one imo I really wonder if he is running premium or regular on the mazda because it loses 40 hp using the low octane and I feel like the cx9 on premium is actually really fast
@@anthonycruz8011Yes this is an important point. To be precise, every Mazda engine is supposed to be running premium no matter the trim or size. This is because of the technology and high compression ratio of Mazda engines. Long term, it’s horrible on one of those Skyactiv engines to be running low octane fuel. I used to work at Mazda and older engines that weren’t being treated right had the most expensive issues. Use premium!!
@christianbryant5617 I agree I have the 2022 MX-5 and always use 91. The dealer told me I could use either. I asked him , "Wouldn't that reduce the longevity of the motor?".He responded, "No, you will just get less hp. I know better though.
@@christianbryant5617 For older Mazda engines this was true. I have a 23 CX-9 and run 87 octane. I ran both 87 and 91, and in everyday driving there is no appreciable difference. I wonder if they had it in sport mode? The transmission definitely holds gears longer and it raises the idle rpm. You take a hit in economy, but it sure seems to pull harder in sport mode. I've also found that you can't brake torque a new Mazda. It bogs off the line. Best to just floor it
Wife has a Pathfinder just like the one in the test, except FWD only. It’s pleasant enough and it is an excellent real world value compared to the Pilot and some others with available discounts. The swap to the 9 speed automatic was a big boost. It is probably Nissan’s best product right now.
Seems like it would automatically be the fastest car here- but ig it’s not accurate having the 4 cylinder option vs 6 cylinders. And the 6 speed, which is tuned for great performance, but Mazdas new transmission gives you a bit more flexibility
A lot of people sleep on the pathfinder, when it first came out for 2013 with the 3.5 it got sooo much hate with the cvt even tho in the qt Mile it was unbelievable how quick the pathfinder pulls once it gets to redline and stays there. It’s basically a maxima with extra weight and awd. Finally a good race Sam!
Just FYI. The Nissan Pathfinder that you tested is 284 hp. Only the Rock Creek edition has 295 on 93 octane. Also, the Pathfinder in this test is not CVT rather a ZF 9 speed auto.
Actually all Pathfinder’s make 295 horsepower on 93 octane. The Rock Creek is advertised as such, but all Nissan/Infiniti models can advance timing and use the 93 octane timing maps to access the increased horsepower ratings. The Rock Creek model can also use 87 octane and retard timing to make 284 hp. The more you know 🌈
The younger me would drag race a shopping cart. Hell, I drag raced a '78 Volare wagon I6 (110 hp) against a friends 4 door 72 Malibu 250 I6 (110 hp). We were so slow no one around us even noticed we were racing. After a long, long time, I thought the race was over, but he got me on the "top end" whatever that was.
@samwh4775 We've seen them do as low at 6.2 sec. to 60. Best hold on to that bad boy. Biggest mistake I made, back in 2018, trading my v6 2014 Accord Touring for a 2018 Accord Sport 2.0t instead of a remaining loaded brand new 2017 EXL V6 Accord. HONDA is now catering to the market of people who look at vechiles as appliances in terms of which one is most efficient.
New Pilots drive nice. I was blown away by how tight it is and how amazing it handled on back roads. It feels small compared to the smaller Passport. The new Passport feels like an old slug in comparison in the corners. The new Passport will be awesome when it comes out.
I was looking forward to a drag race like this. The Mazda CX-9 did well, but would have been nice to see these other mainstream SUVs against the CX-90.
Just bought a 2024 Pathfinder SL AWD, 3-4 weeks ago, and it rides beautifully. Very tight suspension, comfortable seating and a lot of room. Very, very pleased with our new ride. Would highly recommend the Nissan Pathfinder.
Pathfinder for me, just needs the new Rogue's infotainment system, also can't wait for the Outlander PHEV, Tuscon/Sportage PHEV, and RAV4 Prime drag race.
The Nissan Pathfinder makes 285 HP in the Platinum trim (sourced directly from Nissan's website). You quoted 295 HP. The only Pathfinder to get 295 HP is the Rock Creek edition (or all Infiniti QX60s). You may want to edit that.
@xsej4223 Also the only one with a turbo which more than makes up for the 4-cyl when it comes to performance, except when it comes to high-end torque as we've just watched lol.
@@uaeelectronicsThe turbo actually seems to cut down on the sounds. At higher revs, Japanese 4 cylinders sound good...unless you put on those stupid resonator tips. Wait til you hear the base engine on the Chevy 1500 is a 2.7L turbo 4
2022 Pathfinder 2wd platinum owner here. At 37k miles and still as awesome as the first day. Never had a single issue. Still love driving it every day. Sport mode is noticeably faster than standard.
Yeah a lot of torque from a small turbo, but running out of breath at higher revs-and of course let down by less gears to stay in that torque band, otherwise may have been on top.
Even though the mazda having a 4 cylinder engine with turbo , it has less peak HP which is really matters in high speeds also less gears to play with yet it still holding up with the other 6 cylinder suv’s That is madness !! 🤯🔥
Hi Sam. I think this was the first time a four way drag & roll race was done. Like what you mentioned in the video, a four way race would be dangerous for high performance vehicles. As for the Jeep Grand Cherokee L being slow there are two reasons for that. The V6 engine has good horsepower numbers coming in at 293. However, the downfall was the pound feet of torque which is just 260. The other three vehicles had torque numbers more than 260. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes in at a length of 205 inches long. At 205 inches long, that automatically means it's a heavier vehicle. What Jeep should've done when they came out with this fifth generation in 2021 as the 2021 model year, they should've increased the torque numbers to 270 for this third row seating vehicle to compensate for the weight. I also have the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. However, mine is different. Mine is the 2023 model year in the Summit Reserve trim with the HEMI V8 engine with 357 horsepower along with 390 pound feet of torque. A good performer. Maybe during a mid-cycle refresh for the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, maybe they will increase the torque numbers for the V6 engine. If they do, I hope it'll be 270 or 275. One thing they will do is introduce one or two new engines for the mid-cycle refresh of this fifth generation.
We had a Cherokee L for a rental and I can confirm it is SLOW! Recently had Chrysler Voyager and Pacifica rentals and they oddly felt much faster despite having the same Pentastar V6. Guess its the weight. You can call the VQ old, but it still does what it needs to! And WHOA, that fuel economy was surprising. The VQ has never been known for fuel efficiency. BTW the regular Pathfinder is rated at 284hp.
@@stellaa1328 Ehh. It was in unremarkable in my eyes. Also rode very floaty. Quality wise, on the base and mid-trim levels it’s no better than the mainstream competition, but on the upper trims it gets much nicer… but it better for the price.
@@bigd7386 I mean keeping it competitive, from what I've experienced the quality base, mid, and high compared to the competitors base, mid, and high are either on par or just flat out better. Like comparing an Explorer to the Grand Cherokee low, mid level, higher spec, the Jeep will remain better imho.
People make fun of the Jeep but considering that the 3.6L is now 14 years old and still does not use direct injection, and it is powering the heaviest of these 3, it does very well. It is one of the last simple and decent V6 engines left.
Having test driven the Pathfinder and owning that gen Pilot, I expected the PF to take it. The acceleration off the line is great. I am also confident both the Pathfinder & Pilot (not the Trailsport seen here) can give 29-30 mpgs if you cruise at the posted speed limit.
I've seen some really slow numbers in road testing of the GC L with the V6 and so had low expectations for it. But I'm genuinely surprised it kept up in a lot of the races with some of the other really quick SUVs. Considering it's only got 260 ft/lbs of torque and weighs over 5100lbs. The standard GC is a lot lighter and should do considerably better.
Nice one.. 😁 having a vehicle that's quick wether, Van, Truck or SUV is a plus who wants to be stuck behind a sloww moving vehicle.. if you're fast you get by, if you're slow you got to wait till the next passing lane and hope it's long enough
I have a '24 Pilot Elite, like it overall but it could do with about 30 more HP/30 more lbs ft of torque. You can definitely feel its weight driving around. Once it gets up and going it's not too bad but not as quick or light on its feet as the previous gen.
@@CARBONHAWK1because it had a VTEC, Honda's R&D failed this time. They give it only a 5 HP bump while increasing its weight much more. Maybe it's time for Honda to use a turbo charged 3.0L V6
@@uaeelectronicsno plz no turbos. There’s enough of those already. Keep the NA 3.5 of Nissans and Hondas. I have 2018 odyssey and before a 08 odyssey and they go. Love hearing the V6. Just wish the new 9 speed AT was little smoother
Can’t believe you paid 70 grand for a Honda Pilot Elite when you could’ve gotten a better product for less money i.e. Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-90. Pilot feels like a VAN. Trade that garbage in.
Had a feeling the VQ would come out the winner. A fine-tuned VQ35 is used in their 350Z lineup, therefore the engine does have a racing heritage behind it. But was surprised to know that it did very well in the mileage department.
I have '24 CX-5 Turbo. Wonderful car about town. That fat torque curve makes driving feel effortless. Live in the SW and turbos are excellent in the mountains. Perfect car for soon-to-be empty nesters.
One vehicle conspicuously missing in these SUV drag races is the Subaru Outback with the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder turbo engine. It would be a strong contender. Not sure if that engine is available in Canada, but it's a popular option in the U.S. Basically a slightly detuned WRX engine in a family SUV.
Darn it! I came here for the Jeep GC L - but I'm sad now because I hoped it was the 5.7 V8 Hemi. I just bought a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L with the 5.7 and I think it's faster than my 2021 Durango RT, Tow N Go with the "same" 5.7 Hemi. Great video though!!! 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁
If the pilot was the last gen 2016-2022 with the 9 speed it definitely would have been quicker than all of these including the pathfinder. The new pilot is heavier and doesn’t have vtec. This is what I expected the results to be.
Everyone asking for the cx-90 should realize it wouldn’t even be a competition, the cx-90 would crush these 😂 thats why they had to go with the older discontinued cx-9 with 4 banger
Last generation Honda Pilot was much quicker. It weighed 350 pounds less than this one and had a 0 to 60 time of 6.1 seconds with a quarter mile of 14.6 this is according to some very popular magazines.
