Mazda CX-9 has aged gracefully into its second generation, which debuted in 2016. The CX-9 elevates the seven-seat SUV class with its refined cabin and appealing styling at home at a tailgate barbecue or a fine dining establishment. The Japanese manufacturer eliminated the front-wheel-drive option in favor of essential all-wheel-drive last year.
For 2023, Mazda no longer offers the CX-9 in a low Sport model, instead pricing the well-appointed Touring trim at $40,025. Touring Plus, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature are the following tiers from the base model. Surprisingly, less than $10,000 separates the Touring and Signature trim levels, despite both being outfitted with luxurious features like quilted leather seats, a unique grille design, and natural wood inside trim.
The stylish Hyundai Palisade, the competent Kia Telluride, and the ubiquitous Toyota Highlander are just a few of the many formidable competitors in the three-row crossover class. The Palisade outclasses the CX-9 in towing capability, cargo room, and power, but it makes up for it in terms of design and driving characteristics. The CX-9 is more durable and technology-focused than the Telluride but isn’t quite as elegant. Even after a 2020 redesign, Toyota’s Highlander remains the most powerful and capable of hauling. The CX-9’s interior, on the other hand, has higher-quality materials than the Highlander’s.
Mazda’s 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic are standard on all CX-9 variants. The CX-9’s turbo-four generates 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque when operating on premium (93 octane) gasoline but drops to 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque when running on standard (87 octane) fuel. The CX-9’s mass distribution is excellent, making for an enjoyable, stress-free ride with leading-edge handling. Despite being slower than some of the competition, its acceleration is sufficient to instill confidence when passing or merging.
Mazda’s three-row SUV excels at short and long travels and provides the driving pleasure that can only come from a well-honed automobile. Mazda does not strive to force it to conform to current fashions; instead, it focuses on being uniquely itself in design, interior quality, and handling characteristics. The CX-9 may not be as powerful or capable of towing as some rivals, and it may not have as much space for passengers or goods in the third row, but it is unlike any other SUV in terms of sheer driving pleasure. And many individuals are willing to make that sacrifice.
Experts believe 2018 will be the final year Mazda produces the CX-9, as the company plans to replace it with the CX-90, a three-row SUV that is somewhat larger and more durable than the current model. Mazda discontinued the less SUV-like Mazda CX-3 a year after the launch of the smaller 2020 CX-30, which is pretty comparable to the upcoming CX-90 product line. However, the new Mazda CX-50 and the CX-5 have both been part of Mazda’s current range, and Mazda says they will continue to do so in the future. The CX-9 is a brilliant gem in a sea of crossovers because of its innovative design, exceptional craftsmanship, and affordable pricing.
Performance: Mazda CX-9
Skyactiv-G 2.5 turbo engine mated to a six-speed automated gearbox powers the CX-9. The CX-9 has an athletic poise on the road thanks to its powerful engine (250 horsepower and 320 pounds of torque when running on premium gasoline). Even on standard 87 octane petrol, the vehicle still produces 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, so you can save money at the pump without sacrificing performance.
Mazda’s engines are well-known for producing a surprising amount of power from tiny engine sizes, making for a pleasurable and exciting driving experience. The same firm that brought you the RX-7 and the ever-entertaining Miata now creates the roomy and comfortable CX-9 SUV. Thanks to its well-tuned suspension, you won’t have to endure an extremely rough ride due to its lag-free accelerations, crisp and communicative handling, and fast and linear braking action.
Mazda’s lone three-row car may do modest duty on dirt roads, but it’s not designed for serious off-roading. The CX-9’s weak spot is towing, with a maximum capacity of 3,500 pounds. There is a 5,000-pound towing capacity on the Telluride, Palisade, and Highlander.
Fuel Economy:
The EPA has given the 2023 CX-9 a combined rating of 23 mpg, with city ratings of 20 and highway ratings of 26. In comparison, the AWD Kia Telluride achieves 21 mpg combined (with 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway), and the AWD Toyota Highlander achieves 21 mpg combined (with 24 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the interstate). On the other hand, the Highlander hybrid achieves an average of 35 miles per gallon.
Technology for Safety and Driving:
The 2022 CX-9 received the top safety rating from the IIHS, the Top Safety Pick+. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also gave it its highest possible grade of five stars. The CX-9 also performed well in the IIHS’s most recent side impact test, with a “Good” quality.
Radar cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, frontal collision warning, brake assistance with pedestrian recognition, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist are some driver-help features that come standard on the CX-9. This makes the CX-9 a strong contender in its segment. The Touring Plus model adds adaptive lighting, a windshield wiper de-icer, and Mazda’s Rear Smart City Brake Support (if a collision is near, the CX-9’s system applies the brakes).
Comfort & Room: Mazda CX-9
The CX-9’s interior is peaceful, making short and long travels pleasurable. Thanks to the comfortable front seats and increased tire sidewall height, you may cruise with ease and good manners. The Signature model’s quilted Nappa leather interior, which provides a relaxing ride even on curvy roads, is the icing on the cake. The CX-9’s temperature control is user-friendly, and the heated and ventilated seats turn on promptly.
In every dimension, the CX-9 is smaller than its rivals. The third row isn’t as roomy as the second or easy to get into, and it’s often harsher than the competition. The third row has 35.4 inches of headroom and 29.7 inches of legroom. That’s an extra two inches compared to the Highlander, although it’s not noticeable. The Palisade and Telluride have 31.4 inches of legroom in the third row, more than the Mazda and Toyota. The CX-9 has 34.9 inches of second-row legroom, less than the Highlander’s 38.7 inches and the Telluride’s 42.4 inches.
The CX-9’s second- and third-row seats fold flat, allowing it to transition seamlessly from people hauler to cargo van.
Infotainment:
The images on the 10.25-inch central display are sharp and clear. The Mazda Commander knob manages the built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone interfaces, Bluetooth, HD radio, twin front USB ports, a six-speaker sound system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Much like Lexus’ controversial touchpad, the Commander Control system is met with praise and criticism. There is a little learning curve involved; the control is accurate, and inputs are rapidly received and acted upon, but there are more menus to navigate before you reach your desired function. When you get there, a selection of alternatives will be presented for you to peruse. Mazda is concerned that a touchscreen would divert drivers’ attention, so they’ve developed a mechanism to help them retain their focus on the road. As a “set it and forget it” system, it’s faultless, but making adjustments might be annoying until you get used to them.
Storage and Carrying Capacity:
The CX-9’s cargo capacity behind the third row is a meager 14.4 cubic feet. The Hyundai Palisade and the Telluride have 18 cubic feet, while the Toyota Highlander has 14. When folded down, the CX-9 has 38.2 cubes of space behind the second seat, whereas the Highlander has 48.4 cubes and the Telluride has 46. The CX-9 has 71.2 cubic feet when the second and third seats are folded down, the Highlander has 84.3, and the Telluride has 87.
CX-9’s smaller footprint imbues a wagon-like feel, which helps the balanced ride, although there is an element of give and take at play here.
With just four people to transport instead of six, there is plenty of room for golf clubs, sports equipment, or the spoils of a heavy shopping trip once the power liftgate is opened to show a low loading point. Large cupholders are up front, and pockets are in the doors for food and drinks. Despite its attractive appearance, the console’s size is limited.
Design
The CX-9 exudes luxury in every detail, from the interior to the exterior. It comes close, but the low cost conceals its actual status. That’s not to imply the CX-9 is underwhelming compared to luxury competitors like the Lexus RX; on the contrary, Mazda’s luxurious SUVs are evidence of the brand’s exceptional value.
The CX-9’s interior hits the perfect spot, with plenty of supple upholstery and supportive seats. High-quality dampening reduces unwanted noise and vibration, creating a more refined experience.
Spend the additional $595 on the Soul Red Crystal Metallic finish if looks are most important to you. It’s an unmistakable shade of red that can’t be mistaken for any other.
The 2023 Mazda CX-9: Is It Worth It?
The Mazda CX-9 is offered in five configurations for 2023: the Touring, Touring Plus, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. The Touring trim level costs $40,025 (with the $1,275 destination price) and comes loaded with features, including standard all-wheel drive. It has a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, a power front passenger’s seat, privacy (tinted) glass, a power liftgate, heated front seats, keyless entry, a power liftgate, a leather-wrapped shifter, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Touring Plus model, beginning at $42,625, is the best deal since it has ventilated seats and a second-row bench, expanding seating for seven people from six.
Adaptive headlights that illuminate curved roads, a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, heated second-row captain’s chairs, an upgraded Bose audio system with 12 speakers (doubling the number in the base model), a windshield wiper de-icer, and USB ports in the third row are just some of the reasons we’d spring for the $46,105 MSRP Carbon Edition over the $3,480 cheaper Touring Plus. This package is also visually striking thanks to its custom Polymetal Gray paint job, red leather seats, and aluminum accents.
Prices for the Grand Touring begin at $ 46,915, with the Signature starting at $ 49,735.
How Much Does Mazda CX-9 Insurance Cost?
Insurance rates for the Mazda CX-9 are competitive with comparable models. Our research shows that a 30-year-old woman with a spotless driving record should anticipate an annual premium of $2,080 for the Touring policy and $2,213 for the Carbon policy. The EX trim of the Kia Telluride costs about $1,944, while the SX trim costs around $2,080. The LE trim of the Toyota Highlander starts at about $1,989, while the Limited goes for $2,092.
Verdict
The Mazda CX-9 is the most underappreciated three-row SUV despite its sleek and polished design (exceptionally when finished in Mazda’s distinctive Soul Red Crystal). The third-row seat is quite cramped, but the ride quality, handling, and standard features are all on the level of premium models. The CX-9 is an excellent choice for drivers who care more about how their vehicle looks, drives, and makes them feel than they do about how much room it offers.
