Overview & Reviews

Mazda CX-9, Crossover SUV

The only vehicles capable of carrying seven adults or lots of cargo used to be minivans, traditional full-size SUVs and passenger vans. But the full-size crossover SUV (sometimes referred to as CUV) has been a game-changer, providing the space of a large SUV, respectable fuel economy and handling, and exterior styling that doesn't immediately scream "diapers!" Mazda's entrant in this segment is the stylish yet practical CX-9.

The Mazda CX-9 combines a spacious interior that can be lavishly appointed along with the sporty handling characteristics that Mazdas are known for. Though the CX-9 shares its basic architecture and engine with the Ford Edge, the Mazda feels much better executed, with superior driving dynamics and a more athletic feel despite its larger size.

Current Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is available in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trims. All are powered by a 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

The base Sport trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a multifunction tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system. Safety features include antilock brakes, stability control and side curtain airbags. Stepping up to the Touring trim brings heated and powered front seats, leather upholstery, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

The Grand Touring model includes 20-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power rear liftgate, memory settings for the driver seat and keyless ignition/entry. Notable options include a Bose stereo, a navigation system, a towing package, a sunroof and a rear seat entertainment system.

Seven-passenger seating is standard on all Mazda CX-9s. The prospect of hauling around seven people can be daunting, but this crossover SUV's third row can hold actual adults, though you'll have to slide the second-row seats forward, making legroom tight for both rows. Also, third-row headroom is limited. On the bright side, access to the rear is relatively painless thanks to an easy-to-use latch that lets you slide past the second row into the back. With the second- and third rows folded flat, the CX-9 can carry 101 cubic feet of cargo.

On the road, we've found that the Mazda CX-9 is fun to drive. The carlike unibody construction and four-wheel independent suspension provide sporting responses, with minimal body roll and controlled ride motions. The steering is surprisingly responsive and the effort is weighted just right. However, the CX-9's ride quality (particularly with the Grand Touring's 20-inch wheels) is rather firm by segment standards.

Used Mazda CX-9 Models
The CX-9 was introduced for 2007. In its debut year, the CX-9 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that made 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. The current 3.7-liter V6 replaced the 3.5 in '08, but the original CX-9 was hardly lacking for power, so we wouldn't discourage anyone from purchasing a used example. In the years since, Mazda has made only minor adjustments to the CX-9's exterior styling and availability of standard and optional features.

User Reviews:

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  Excellent Value - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By Merrill - September 18 - 10:36 pm

  This car has been a great deal for the money. Very happy with the details and the "fun to drive" factor. I have put 1200 miles on it already (I drive a lot) and no problems whatsoever. Small vibrations in the passenger chair could be due to my children putting their feet on the back; I dont know. But overall, a great car.

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  Very pleased with my cx-9 - 2012 Mazda CX-9
  By carfanonedmnds - September 9 - 7:45 pm

  We have owned our cx-9 for 9 months. I just hit 8500 miles.we have taken it on one 12 hour each way road trip and have been very impressed. The seats did great on the road trip, for adults & kiddos. I love the handling of the vehicle, feels like driving a car. I get compliments on how nice the interior looks and I have the sport model. Visibility is great. Only complaint is very rarely the sun hits just right on the chrome where the gear shift is and reflects off making it a Little hard to see, but again this has been rare. I love having the blue tooth & like that mazda stocked this vehicle pretty well for an entry level model. Mine has added power seats,heated seats/mirror.

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  Fun to Drive - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By percy98 - August 30 - 5:16 pm

  We looked at the Infinity FX and Audi Q7 and decided the CX-9 was a much better value. Fully loaded, it was significantly less expensive than the other two vehicles. The handling is superb, brakes are great and headlights light up the whole road. Very fun to drive.

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  Sooooo not the minivan - 2013 Mazda CX-9
  By mamams - August 29 - 6:44 pm

  I just purchased my CX9 and let me tell you, I am loving it. I did not want to get out of it after my first drive to work. The interior is very comfortable and the small touches that Mazda has added are really nice. For instance, there is a little well in the center console for your USB or charger cord to rest in, so that you can fully close the console. The all weather mats were standard on my model and I love them too! I drove others, such as Ford, GMC, Chevy, and never felt like I was LOVING driving them. Once I saw the CX9 reviews, I thought I would try it, and am so glad I did. This car is VERY fun to drive. I am so ready for my first road trip in about 3 weeks!

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  Solid Near Luxury Contender - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Byeh - August 8 - 12:57 pm

  We recently picked up a 2016 signature and this car is nearly perfect for our needs. We already own a 2014 Mazda3 and bought this to replace a 2009 RX350. We cross shopped this car with the 2016 RX350. While the fit and finish on the new RX is undeniably excellent, the major problems with it are 1) the infotainment system requires extraordinary precision/attention and thus is extremely distracting/dangerous to use while driving and 2) the rear cargo area has a higher load floor and less cargo space than the 2nd or 3rd gen RXs. MSRP on the signature model I got is $45,215 and I paid $43,800 excluding taxes, fees, and registration. A comparably equipped RX350 would retail for $10K more easy. Ill be the first to say that the CX-9 loses out if youre looking for the most utilitarian vehicle with maximum cargo capacity. Its smaller interior volume (mostly due to height) mean it doesnt have the biggest cargo capacity (some 30 cubes less than the Pilot). That said, the super long wheel base and overall length provide solid leg room in all three rows and the interior is more than comfortable for adults. It just wont be as airy as some when it comes to headroom. But what it lacks in utilitarianism it makes up for in spades through superior driving dynamics, solid execution of tech, and premium design. I find this Signature trim far more luxurious than the top trims of any of its direct competitors and even more attractive than MDX or QX60. To me the ideal buyer of the Signature trim of this vehicle is someone that wants a 3 row near luxury SUV but doesnt want to pay luxury prices or, as was my case, simply found the alternatives unappealing. We recently completed a 937 mile round trim from SF to LA and average 24.2 mpg with radar cruise set to 74 mph most of the way. Per Mazda, when pushed hard, the turbo 4 will underperform EPA ratings but when driven conservatively, it outperforms those same ratings. That note is consistent with our observed mpg. Onto the pros and cons: Cons: Front side air vents point too far out and dont direct airflow towards front passengers effectively. Very narrow 2nd row middle seat (outboard seatbelt buckles are almost blocked by a rear facing Britax convertible car seat) No ventilated front seats (would have been nice given hot CA summers) No panoramic moon roof No live traffic integration in the nav app. Live traffic is viewed in a separate view and is only shown on a macro map. No Android Auto or Apple Car Play Pros: Power out of the turbo 4 is very competent. Anyone who balks at the 227 hp rating on regular octane clearly hasnt test driven it or experienced the 310 lb ft of torque that comes on at 2000 rpm. Nappa leather seats are super comfortable Deep cargo loading area with 3rd row folded Heads up display very crisp and bright with a ton of info (lane departure, lane keep, radar cruise, nav with lane guidance, tach, speed, gear, blind spot monitoring). Radar cruise maintains distance and accounts for lane changes and merging traffic decently well. It can be heavy on the brakes when coming up on slowing traffic. That said, the system anticipates cars moving faster than you that merge close to you and wont brake in those situations. Lane departure and keep assist only intervene when necessary and only correct enough to guide you back. Smart City Braking not overly aggressive as some reviewers have indicated (braking earlier avoids unexpected intervention and also conserves brake life). Ive never had it activate on me. Blind spot actually beeps when a car is detected and you have your signal on (most competitors only have side mirror indicator lights) Styling is the most attractive/luxurious in segment Infotainment system and controls are very intuitive with low learning curve Suspension absorbs road imperfections well yet offers minimal body roll in corners Very quiet ride on par with RX350 and MDX Fully independent rear HVAC zone works very well and even includes upper and lower air ducts/flow control and auto setting Ambient lighting (flood up front, front door pulls, all door pockets, center console) adds a luxurious ambiance. LED headlights are bright and have a very even distribution and clean cutoff. Auto high beams are also incredibly precise, turning off automatically even when theres only one car way off in the distance on either side of a split freeway.

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  Large SUV that Drives Like a Car! - 2013 Mazda CX-9
  By 12thfan - August 2 - 11:12 pm

  I have had my Cx-9 Grand Touring since January and love everything about it. I even like driving to work! I test drove the 4 Runner and Explorer but didnt like either one. The 4 Runner felt rough like I was driving a truck and you definitely heard and felt the engine working. I also didnt like being on a truck axel. I loved the Exterior of the Explorer, but felt the steering was too loose. I looked at the CX-9 once we read all of the great reviews. When we test drove, it was my favorite by far and it was the best value- a winning combination. Usually my favorite is the most expensive one! The steering responds extremely well and the V6 is the perfect amount of pick up.

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  What gas mileage do you expect? - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By Brian - July 29 - 3:36 am

  This car is so fun to drive. The interior is comfortable and versatile, the engine and transmission are silky smooth, the climate control, seat configuration, styling, and Bose stereo are awesome. I get 19-20 mpg in mixed driving and dont understand why this large 7-person vehicle continually gets knocked on gas mileage. Sure, if you take off from every stop like a jackrabbit, youll get 15mpg, but cmon. I hate cars, and I hated the minivan I replaced with the CX-9, but I love driving this one.

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  What a ride “Zoom-Zoom” with style! - 2007 Mazda CX-9
  By LarS - July 20 - 2:06 pm

  The styling inside/out is sporty, ergonomic with luxury styling. The fit and finish is as good as Lexus or Acura. A CUV with Zoom-Zoom driving experience is the perfect fit for our family. My wife loves driving it!! The sport tuned suspension, dual exhaust sporty sound and 263 HP V6 is a very strong package. The transmission is excellent in auto or manual modes. Great flexibility for the 2nd and 3rd row w/track seating. HID headlights are very good. The turn radius is excellent. Very quiet cabin at any speed, dual air and Bluetooth is a major plus. All the safety feature, ABS, EBD, DSC, TCS, RSC, 3 rows side curtain air bags and Tire Pressure Monit. Sys. at this price range, wow! No blind stops.

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  Finally found it - 2008 Mazda CX-9
  By JT - July 18 - 12:10 pm

  Ive been considering an SUV for quite some time but having driven sports cars and sports sedans all my life I wasnt quite happy with anything out there. When I finally got serious about looking last year I considered just about everything on the market from the Isuzu to the Lexus. I was surprised to find Mazda had an entry large enough for my needs and pleased to find the array of options and accessories to match up with almost any of the others. After a month and a half and 2500 miles, Im happier with my choice than when I first got it. I would recommend anyone looking for a mid to large size SUV look into this car.

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  CX-9 is a very good SUV. - 2010 Mazda CX-9
  By aarnal2 - July 9 - 7:33 pm

  I own a cx-9 and every time i go to my garage, i say "wow, i made a good choice." The cx-9 is affordable but looks luxurious and costly. Compare it with suvs like the Acura mdx and the Toyota highlander and i would say Mazda came up with a competitive car.