2021 Mazda CX-9 review: High style with tradeoffs

Mazda’s CX-9 is continue to a looker.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

Believe that it or not, the next-generation Mazda CX-9 is now 6 several years aged. But it continue to appears clear and fresh, and its driving dynamics also continue to produce. Even so, 6 several years is a lengthy time in the automotive entire world, which is why Mazda gave the CX-9 some styling and tech updates for 2021 to help hold it relevant.

Like

  • Smooth styling
  • A seriously great inside
  • Sharp and refined managing

Really don’t Like

  • Coarse engine
  • So-so infotainment
  • Much less cargo house than rivals

Nip and tuck

In the case of my selection-topping CX-9 Signature take a look at auto, 2021 brings a trio of exterior changes. The grille is now concluded in Titanium Grey Metallic, there are greater exhaust outlets all over back and the complete bundle rides on new 20-inch Excellent Silver wheels. None of the changes are earth-shattering — specifically the bland 10-spoke wheels — but the CX-9’s design and style stays handsome overall.

Slide into the Signature’s cabin and you happen to be greeted with an beautiful, easy dash built from some actually handsome materials. The dash and door panel toppers are comfortable to the contact, the tough plastics on decreased parts are nicely concluded and the Santos rosewood trim can make the complete inside look high quality. In addition, the initially- and next-row Nappa leather-based seats get new diamond-quilted bolsters and contrasting piping, whilst the true aluminum accent trim now sports activities a patterned end.

These updates be a part of the other high quality fixings in the CX-9 Signature, such as 3-phase heated and cooled entrance seats, heated next-row captain’s chairs and a comfortable, leather-based-wrapped, heated steering wheel. You will find also a conventional sized moonroof, which will disappoint supporters of gargantuan panoramic glass tops, as Mazda will not present one particular of those people.

House in entrance is generous with comfortable and supportive entrance buckets, significant door panel compartments and a sizable middle armrest. The middle row captain’s chairs are on the flat facet with adequate house for grown ups, but the rearmost seats are extremely snug. Head- and legroom for any individual over five toes, six inches tall is generally nonexistent, but at the very least there are cup holders and a few of USB ports back there for any children you deliver alongside.

In the cargo house group, the CX-9 falls at the rear of its level of competition. With all seats deployed, you will find 14.four cubic toes at the rear of the third row, which grows to seventy one.two cubic toes when both of those rear rows are folded. In comparison, at the rear of the rearmost seats, the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander present sixteen cubic toes of storage house, whilst the Kia Telluride features a hearty 21 cubic toes. With the two back rows flipped down the Honda (eighty two.1 cubic toes), Kia (87 cubic toes) and Toyota (84.three cubic toes) all dwarf the Mazda.

The CX-9’s inside build high quality and materials are definitely remarkable.


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Major display tech

The most noteworthy update to Mazda’s greatest crossover is the addition of a 10.three-inch middle infotainment display. The large exhibit will come conventional on all CX-9 products, supplying crisp resolution and satisfactory graphics, but this continue to is just not a touchscreen, so you can expect to have to fidget with the middle console controller to enter destinations into the Signature’s conventional navigation program.

Even devoid of touchscreen capabilities, Mazda Hook up is a reasonably intuitive interface, operating a 12-speaker Bose audio setup, satellite radio, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi hotspot. If you dread Mazda’s tech, and some on the Roadshow staff do, you can choose to hand infotainment controls around to both Apple CarPlay or Android Automobile.

The CX-9 definitely will not deficiency electrical power points, with a wi-fi cost pad located at the base of the middle console, USB cost ports inside of simple reach of all 3 rows of seats and 12-volt outlets in the entrance and trunk area.

A 10.three-inch infotainment display is now conventional on each CX-9.


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On the driver-assistance tech entrance, each CX-9 will come with adaptive cruise command, automatic crisis braking, lane-retaining assist and blind-place monitoring with rear cross-visitors alert. My Signature tester’s protection tech menu is beefed up further more with entrance and rear parking sensors, a head-up exhibit, visitors signal recognition and a 360-diploma camera program with respectable graphic high quality. 

The course athlete 

Each individual CX-9 is enthusiastic by a two.five-liter turbocharged I4. When operating ninety three-octane fuel, the large-block four provides up 250 horsepower and 320 pound-toes of torque, with the latter on the internet at two,five hundred rpm. Functioning regular 87-octane gas is also attainable, but output drops to 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both way, the CX-9 feels downright energetic in Sport mode when accelerating away from stops, and continues to pull solid during the middle of the rev selection, making simple operate of passing slower visitors and seamlessly merging on to expressways.

Operating with the CX-9’s engine is a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is archaic by modern specifications supplied the proliferation of eight-, 9- and 10-speed gearboxes. In procedure, even though, you will find not a lot to complain about with the 6-speed, as it delivers sleek, nicely-timed cog exchanges and it assists return course aggressive EPA-believed fuel financial system figures of 20 mpg in the town and 26 mpg on the freeway.

The turbo four provides loads of low-close torque, but seems raspy.


Jon Wong/Roadshow

The Mazda’s drivetrain, even so, is on the coarser facet of the sound spectrum and slight vibrations are detectable when you wind points up to the engine’s six,three hundred-rpm redline. The CX-9 gives up some in towing in contrast to its V6 rivals as well, with a three,five hundred-pound capability. The all-wheel-drive Pilot, Telluride and Highlander can all pull five,000 lbs.

Down the street, the CX-9’s ride is buttoned-up, with the suspension having the edge off modest to medium impacts, and the cabin stays impressively hushed from aggravating street and wind noises. Toss this crossover into a corner and its physique motions are generally kept in examine, with just the slightest dive under braking and lean at switch-in just before hunkering down and operating by turns. The 20-inch Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 In addition tires present a lot of grip. Include in responsive and nicely-weighted steering alongside with stout, simple-to-modulate brakes and you have a 3-row crossover that provides the sportiest reflexes in its course.

Major 20-inch wheels and tires add to the CX-9’s assured managing.


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How I might spec it

The Signature model of the CX-9 pictured here is a dear fella, stickering for $48,575 as analyzed. Mind you, it is packed to the gills with conventional all-wheel drive, a extravagant Nappa leather-based inside and all the driver-assistance technology you could want, but I might be willing to give up some goodies for a softer blow to the financial institution account. 

For my build, I might get started with an all-wheel-drive Touring model that begins at $39,025, which include $1,one hundred seventy five for destination. This trim will come conventional with eighteen-inch wheels, a leather-based inside and heated entrance seats, and will have to-have features like blind-place monitoring and LED headlights arrive equipped on all CX-9s. I might then plunk down for the $395 Snowflake White Pearl Mica paint work and $two,060 for the Touring Quality Deal, largely for the Bose sound program, satellite radio, entrance and rear parking sensors and wi-fi cell phone charger. All in, my great Mazda rings in at a additional sensible $41,480. 

This CX-9 Signature will established you back $48,575.


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Type and overall performance around operate

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 begins at $35,335 which include destination with entrance-wheel drive, placing it suitable in the exact ballpark as Honda, Kia and Toyota. Upgrading to all-wheel drive tacks on an more $1,900. While the CX-9 will not present as a lot operate as its rivals, the Mazda packs a healthful dollop of style, a definitely high quality inside and tighter managing chops than the other folks. If those people psychological attributes are adequate to look earlier the cramped third row and cargo house, I wouldn’t blame you. But if they usually are not adequate to outweigh the deficiencies in practicality, I wouldn’t blame you for hunting elsewhere, both.