I'd have to agree with Ron Kiino's observation (why shouldn't I, the guy just got married to a beautiful lady!) on the following points:
- size
slightly more room after third row, you can fit a large size cooler, very important for longer trips, try to do that to the 2008 highlander. I'm also hoping with this size I don't have to go top cargo box, I can just stuff everything behind the third row when I have full 7 passengers. We'll see ;-)
- engine
I'm glad they upped the engine to 3.7L, I didn't try the 2007 but any extra HP and especially torque, helps every little bit considering it weighs 4500 lbs. Even though I only have the 3.0 of X5, I kid you not, we like the acceleration of the CX-9 much more than the X5, even my wife who's not a car enthusiast agree very much on this issue. I know officially it's only .3 seconds quicker, but even an inexperienced can tell the difference.
- 6 speed automatic
This thing is sweet, the fact that it operates in manumatic mode the same way as an X5 helps.
- price
It's priced competitively, and my dealer would agree, almost every single one they sold is a GT AWD (I live in the northeast, hence the AWD). At this price, it's the only one with HID. You won't believe it but the HID in this one beats the X5 hands down (2003 X5). It's even nicer since you can adjust where it falls (guess where I set it to?)
Best SUV of the year!!!
