Maybe another new vehicle... Passport, CX9, or Forester?

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wallyuwl

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Have a 2019 Highlander and there are just a few things we aren't crazy about. One is the brakes putting orange dust that is very difficult to get off on the paint (white). But a few other things as well. It is my wife's daily driver.

We looked at an Ascent and it was great except for the ergonomics. Just not a very comfortable fit (fit for the passenger in the Highlander is one of our main gripes about that car). We are going to look today at a Forester, and probably a Passport (maybe also a Pilot), and maybe a CX9.

Any thoughts on any of these cars? Any other vehicles we should consider (maybe a Jeep Wrangler?)? One big priority for us is resale and built quality, so that probably takes out almost all of the domestics. A ride that isn't super cushy (but not rough like a truck), and a somewhat high seating position are important as well.
 
The Forestor while a great vehicle is in a different class than the rest.

Definitely try the CX9 along with the Honda Passport/Pilot. It all depends on what you need from a vehicle plus one that fits your wife the best since she is the main driver.
 
I'd leave it alone. 2021-2023 will see some major upgrades to multiple platforms, I believe, that are worth putting up with minor niggles for.
 
Honestly if brake dust color makes your list of negatives I don't think you're going to find a vehicle that is perfect in every way. They are all good vehicles it really just comes down to preference IMO. I think I'd try a different set of brake pads before swapping cars.
 
You're going from Reliable to questionable at best....I would stick with the Highlander you have.
 
wallyuwl said:
Is it the pads or rotors?
Click to expand...
Mostly the pads. The Akebono pads will dust less but their performance is poor. The factory pads in that application are actually a bit more aggressive than your typical aftermarket ceramic pad, so be prepared for a reduction in pedal feel and stopping performance.
 
The Critic said:
Mostly the pads. The Akebono pads will dust less but their performance is poor. The factory pads in that application are actually a bit more aggressive than your typical aftermarket ceramic pad, so be prepared for a reduction in pedal feel and stopping performance.
Click to expand...
I can personally attest to the fact that Akebono ceramic brake pads pretty much eliminate dusting. Other advantages are that they last longer than the OEM pads, they don't wear the rotors as much, they are quiet, and they don't transfer pad material to the rotors.
I don't agree that they have a reduction in pedal feel and stopping performance. I have not experienced this in any of the vehicles that I have used them on.
You WILL get orange dust on the sides of ANY vehicle that is not driven often enough to keep the rotors from rusting. The orange dust is rust. If you can look through the wheels and frequently see rust on the rotors, this is your problem.
 
I have used Akebono pads in the past and been happy with them. Definitely less, almost no, dusting.

We looked at a Rav 4 and Forester. Just too small. Wife didn't like the look of the Passport in person, so we didn't even talk to a salesperson. She doesn't like the look of the Pilot. Just doesn't like Hondas I guess. We might go look at the CX9 tonight.

I'm thinking that for now we might just keep it and I will put different pads on. But we'll see.
 
Jeep Grand Cherokee was mentioned.
I can recommend that.
Driving a Summit Hemi as my driver.

This is pretty well my Jeep, but updated infotainment (much quicker, no lag) and without the quilted leather interior.
Same exterior color, black interior leather.

 
Went on Akebono web site. It says Akebono is OEM pads for Highlander, and they are ceramic.

So should I even bother with the Akebono aftermarket (ProACT) pads? Maybe I should look into Hawk performance ceramic?
 
wag123 said:
I can personally attest to the fact that Akebono ceramic brake pads pretty much eliminate dusting. Other advantages are that they last longer than the OEM pads, they don't wear the rotors as much, they are quiet, and they don't transfer pad material to the rotors.
I don't agree that they have a reduction in pedal feel and stopping performance. I have not experienced this in any of the vehicles that I have used them on.
You WILL get orange dust on the sides of ANY vehicle that is not driven often enough to keep the rotors from rusting. The orange dust is rust. If you can look through the wheels and frequently see rust on the rotors, this is your problem.
Click to expand...
It really depends on your baseline and your operating conditions. Without knowing what vehicles you had them on, what your local driving conditions are like, etc...

In my area and on the cars I service, I can confidently say that the Akebono pads are not a good fit.
 
The Critic said:
It really depends on your baseline and your operating conditions. Without knowing what vehicles you had them on, what your local driving conditions are like, etc...

In my area and on the cars I service, I can confidently say that the Akebono pads are not a good fit.
Click to expand...
I've had Stoptech and Akebono, both on a 370Z Sport/Touring model. Yes, the Akebono's made the pedal feel a bit more numb, but dude...this is a highlander, and OP has not complained about its friction circle, so...
 
wallyuwl said:
Went on Akebono web site. It says Akebono is OEM pads for Highlander, and they are ceramic.

So should I even bother with the Akebono aftermarket (ProACT) pads? Maybe I should look into Hawk performance ceramic?
Click to expand...
Even though the OEM brake pads on your Highlander are likely manufactured by Akebono, that doesn't mean that the friction material they use on the ProAct pads is identical to OEM. Given the price difference between replacing the brake pads and trading-in the Highlander on something else, I would give the ProAct pads a shot.
I have never seen orange brake dust. All of the brake dust that I have ever seen is either dark gray or black. Furthermore, I have never seen brake dust covering the entire side of a vehicle. I still think that the orange deposit you are seeing is something else, either rust/iron dust, some form of tree pollen, industrial fallout from manufacturing that uses iron, iron ore mining activities, or what is more likely is that it is red dirt dust or orange dirt dust from the environment where the Highlander is driven. Do you have red dirt or orange dirt anywhere around where you live? Either of these dirt colors show VERY prominently on white vehicles. Several areas of Wisconsin have goethite, hematite, and lepidocrocite soils which are high in iron content and either red or orange in color (and there ARE iron ore mines in northern Wisconsin). Also, the high clay content of some of these soils make them very difficult to remove.
 
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I use Akebono Ceramic Pads on all my vehicles.

wallyuwl said:
I have used Akebono pads in the past and been happy with them. Definitely less, almost no, dusting.

We looked at a Rav 4 and Forester. Just too small. Wife didn't like the look of the Passport in person, so we didn't even talk to a salesperson. She doesn't like the look of the Pilot. Just doesn't like Hondas I guess. We might go look at the CX9 tonight.

I'm thinking that for now we might just keep it and I will put different pads on. But we'll see.
Click to expand...
 
wag123 said:
Even though the OEM brake pads on your Highlander are likely manufactured by Akebono, that doesn't mean that the friction material they use on the ProAct pads is identical to OEM. Given the price difference between replacing the brake pads and trading-in the Highlander on something else, I would give the ProAct pads a shot.
I have never seen orange brake dust. All of the brake dust that I have ever seen is either dark gray or black. Furthermore, I have never seen brake dust covering the entire side of a vehicle. I still think that the orange deposit you are seeing is something else, either rust/iron dust, some form of tree pollen, industrial fallout from manufacturing that uses iron, iron ore mining activities, or what is more likely is that it is red dirt dust or orange dirt dust from the environment where the Highlander is driven. Do you have red dirt or orange dirt anywhere around where you live? Either of these dirt colors show VERY prominently on white vehicles. Several areas of Wisconsin have goethite, hematite, and lepidocrocite soils which are high in iron content and either red or orange in color (and there ARE iron ore mines in northern Wisconsin). Also, the high clay content of some of these soils make them very difficult to remove.
Click to expand...
It is brake dust. Had the same thing on our white Pontiac Vibe. The issue is it does not come off the paint easily.

I am just not totally sure if it is the pads or the thin layer of rust on the rotors (that forms when the car sits overnight) flaking off upon braking when using the car the next day.

On the Vibe this did improve a lot when I put on new pads (which were ProACT).
 
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