2021 Mazda CX-9

 Mazda’s streamlined lineup has made it an attractive option for car buyers across the spectrum. The automaker has something for just about everyone, from its sporty MX-5 roadster to its collection of sedans and crossover vehicles. Its largest offering, the CX-9 SUV, is no exception. A solid suburban utility vehicle, the CX-9 excels at getting the job done, all while wrapped in a sleek exterior that looks as if the wind shaped it.

The CX-9 is the largest SUV in the Mazda lineup. The three-row utility vehicle has five trims and a single powertrain. As with several Mazda’s, the CX-9’s turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces either 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular-grade 97 octane fuel or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium 93 octane. Power is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is a reasonable $1900 upgrade and standard on the top-tier Signature trim.  

Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring and Signature are the available flavors of CX-9. The base Sport starts at $35,060 while the top-tier Signature’s initial price is $47,705, both including an $1100 destination fee. The list of standard features is comprehensive: All trims include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, three-zone automatic climate control, six-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, two front USB inputs, keyless entry and push-button start. Standard safety tech includes Mazda’s radar cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, collision warning with smart braking, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warning. The standard 10.25-inch infotainment display with a center console-mounted rotary control interface lags behind competitors’ systems that feature touchscreens, but its use is intuitive after a short familiarization period.

Touring adds conveniences like a rear power liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and heated front seats. In addition, this trim has the option to be fitted with a premium package that bestows the CX-9 with a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system, LED fog lights, power sliding glass moonroof, parking sensors, SiriusXM radio capability, two third-row USB charging ports and a wireless phone charger for the front. All subsequent trims include this package as standard equipment. 

The Carbon Edition trim is the stealthier version of the CX-9, thanks to touches like an exclusive gray metallic paint, 20-inch black wheels and a gloss black grille. Its red leather-trimmed seats give this Mazda a hint of color, if only inside the cabin. Carbon and Signature both have second-row captain’s chairs as standard, but Carbon has a walkthrough space between them while Signature is fitted with a center console for the seats to share. 

Grand Touring and Signature are fitted with all the bells and whistles adding things like hands-free rear lift gate, Mazda’s navigation system, SiriusXM’s Travel Link subscription—which provides traffic and weather info, sports scores, and helps drivers find fuel and parking—and an active driving display that shows the area’s speed thanks to traffic sign recognition. Signature takes things a step further by adding unique designs to the interior aluminum trim and providing rosewood inlays to the door and shifter housing. It also wraps its seats in Nappa leather with special piping and a quilted pattern for a luxurious look and feel. 

The CX-9 competes in a very competitive segment, though it’s carved a niche for itself with its attractive exterior styling, unique interior appointments and engaging driving dynamics.  

In addition to three-row class staples like the Ford Explorer, Dodge Durango and Honda Pilot, the Kia Telluride, a new entry to the segment, might be its most formidable competitor. It’s equally affordable and offers a highly praised interior and is a touch more rugged looking, although the true off-road capability of both vehicles falls to the mild side. The same can be said of its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Palisade, not to mention the Toyota Highlander, both of which feel solid and easy to drive. But the CX-9 offers a more engaging personality and a unique style that won’t have you seeing yourself as often on your daily commute.

With between 227 to 250 horsepower and around 310 pound-feet of torque underfoot, the CX-9 has a suitable amount of giddy-up to get the SUV underway. Power delivery is consistent and unobtrusive, rarely disturbing the sanctity of the car’s comfortable ride and is responsive to the driver’s demand. A performance-oriented SUV the CX-9 is not, and the driving dynamics may not be as sharp as those of the emerging class of sporting SUVs like the Ford Explorer ST or higher priced European brands. But drivers looking for an SUV that delivers a satisfying blend of ride quality, a serene interior, and responsive, if not adrenalin-spiking acceleration and braking response, will be pleasantly surprised by the CX-9’s well-rounded dynamics. The steering is linear and responsive, but one of our drivers felt it could be smoother and a little less eager to snap the wheels back to a neutral forward-facing position. Nevertheless, while it may not lead in any single dynamic measure, it delivers a harmonious driving experience. 

Still, the CX-9’s forte’ is the moving of people and cargo. Seating comfort in the second row is only rivaled by the driver and passenger positions, and the third row is functional though it’s not going to be anyone’s seat of choice. It’s adequate for medium to average-sized passengers, but the rear windshield infringes on the available headroom. Compared to the larger three-row vehicles in the segment, including the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride and Subaru Ascent, it’s tiny. It is, however, easy to access, as manipulating the second row can all be done one-handed, a much-appreciated feature for anyone who has to load a backseat with an armful of gear or while holding a child. 

When it comes to cargo space, however, the CX-9 has room for improvement. With 14.4 cubic-feet of cargo room behind the third row and 38.2 feet with the second row folded, it cannot compete with the comparatively massive 21 and 46 cubic-feet of cargo room offered by the Telluride or 18.9 and 47.9 cubic-feet of the Explorer. Even the Subaru Ascent offers 17.8 and 47.5 cubic-feet in the same measures. 

A long-standing segment contender, the CX-9 ticks many boxes when it comes to daily-use utility. Its comfort and capability for the price make it an appealing choice for anyone in the market for a handy car with contemporary styling without paying a hefty premium.