Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 45.00

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  So I pulled the trigger - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Paul Labas - October 25 - 12:35 pm

  I ended up with a Grand Touring, not Touring. After 2 weeks of driving, I brought the rating down to 4 stars. - The driving dynamic with 2.5T engine takes getting used to. Although powerful in 2-4K RPM range, the engine gets to 3-4K RPM relatively quickly and then the power tempers off. I wish the engine was more powerful overall. The driving and handling are still a lot of fun and its hard to believe one is driving a 3-row SUV. - The braking assist system is overly sensitive. The first two days of driving in suburban NJ it went off on me four times! When it does, the experience is both unpleasant and potentially dangerous, as the car brakes hard and I feel I can get slammed by someone else by from behind. The system can be turned off, but it comes back on every time you restart the engine. What I realize now is that the system is forcing me to drive more carefully and break sooner than I am used to! This might not be such a bad thing. - I turned off the lane keep assist since its more annoying than helpful. - The drivers seat is uncomfortable - it is hard and the raised sides, although providing great support, add to the discomfort. I am not a "wide" guy in any way, so I wonder how uncomfortable the seat can be for someone big. - infotainment system is fine. Once you get used to it, its not bad to operate at all. - the looks are impressive still, inside and out. The car is often confused with Infinity (what an insult!). The Bose sound is great. The hunt: When CX-9 appeared at local dealerships only a couple of weeks ago, I test-drove it twice before going on the actual "shopping expedition". That day I drove Honda Pilot, CX-9, Toyota Highlighter and Acura MDX. I dismissed Highlighter right away as it seems to offer and do everything that Pilot does, only a little worse in every aspect. The Pilot is the ultimate family SUV and I see why there are so many of them on the roads already. Coming from my Odyssey, I can say it is a blend of SUV and Mini-van. The engine is strong enough. The car is roomy and full of tech. The problem to me was that it is a good and solid choice, but unexceptional in every way, from the looks to the engine to the driving/handling dynamic. Acura MDX drove very nicely, but I didnt like the central console layout and its third row space was the smallest of the bunch. Just like with Honda, I see why there are so many of them on the roads. MDX didn’t excite me and for the $10K more than CX-9 (although MDX would offer more bells-and-whistles), I better feel excited. CX-9 felt like the perfect blend of sportiness, luxury, and practicality. I was so impressed that I decided not to wait another year or so to gather feedback from actual drivers and let the company buffer out the little issues that normally plague new technologies. I had to have it! I ended up with Touring with the Package as it seems to offer the best value for the buck, and found it at about 3K below the MSRP. I ordered it in the Machine Metallica Gray (that’s the color in all the ads) with black interior. The dealer will need to find or order one for me. Style The looks are subjective, of course, but I love the sleek exterior styling. To me, this is the only non-luxury 3-row sitter that doesn’t look like the designer started with a minivan and tried to smooth it out. The cabin feels like BMX X5 and the higher central divider creates a feeling of a closer space, similar to a racecar cockpit. The info-tainment screen is not intrusive since I look over it and it does not obscure any of the windshield window. Inside material quality is excellent. Space I am 6’ even. I adjusted the driver’s seat and the seat behind the driver for my height, and then could relatively painlessly fit in the third row behind that. The car is definitely not as spacious as my mini-van, but I can see how the third row can accommodate a couple of adults for 1-2 hours if needed, and kids or even teenagers may find it to be even more tolerable, if not comfortable. The second row is definitely comfortable for two adults and spacious enough for three. When I read the numbers, I knew CX-9 was supposed to be less spacious than the competition, but it did not feel this way in real life. Perhaps, the 1-2” difference is simply not noticeable in real life. Nevertheless, I am sure I’ll miss all the space I am now enjoying in the minivan. Driving I was truly impressed by the driving power and dynamic. Driving three turbo cars in the past, I can say that this CX-9 has very little turbo lag. The engine feels like a typical V6, only more powerful at the initial pickup. The car handles very well and feels much smaller and lighter in turns. One quickly forgets that this is a 3-row SUV. Driving dynamic is where the car really shines. Road noise This is one of very few gripes I have with my wife’s CX-5, however, Mazda handled it well with CX-9. The roads noise is low and car feels luxurious.

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  3rd Awesome CX-9 - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By LAMissesMe - November 3 - 10:07 pm

  new model - redesign is awesome, safety tech additions put it up with BWM, Audi, and Mercedes

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  Zoom zoom in a mid size SUV! - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Ian Rapisura - May 24 - 2:49 am

  It is really a drivers car.It is easy to drive,its just like driving a small SUV.Head up display is great however ,as others have mentioned,it is difficult to see if you are wearing polarized sunglasses.I just wish it had surround view camera so it would be easier to park

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  Great value but could be so much more!! - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By scottworks4u@hotmail.com - December 27 - 6:27 am

  Now that I have been driving this car for a month heres what I have learned. First, I love the car and definitely made the right choice. The ride is so much smoother than the pilot or highlander which we test drove. The interior finishes rival that of lexus, acura, etc.. That being said there are some things you should be aware of. The rear lift gate, does not go all the way up. Im 62 so the first time nearly gave myself a concussion. now im more aware of it. If you are short than this will not be an issue for you. The navigation & entertainment system are poorly designed. Its quite difficult to scroll through stations while driving. For navigation, you cant enter any address while driving, this means the passenger also. No android or apple play system. Finally, the front seats are quite narrow. Im 62 212 pounds and I feel restricted in the seats. If you are a bigger person or just like more space you will probably not feel comfortable. The cargo space is ample. If you need a lot more cargo space than recommend the Honda pilot but the CX-9 works perfectly for our family.

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  Love this car, hate the drivers seat, - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By 3rd Time CX-9 Owner - October 19 - 2:35 pm

  First off, the new CX-9 is easily the best looking SUV on the market for the price. I would definitely consider it a class above in regards to looks, interior quality and design. However it is missing some major things that set it back. In my opinion Mazda dropped the ball in regards to some features the CX-9 lacks compared to its competitors. The sunroof is too small (every other car in the segment has a dual or panoramic sunroof option), cooled seats and heated steering wheel (again, available in all competitor cars), passengers seat adjustment is limited to forward and back only. Oh, and then comes my biggest complaint about the car, the drivers seat. The drivers seat was down graded from an 8-way adjustable in the previous gen to a 6-way for the new CX-9. They dropped the adjustment of the tilt of the seat bottom, or thigh support adjustment. The seat feels like its tilted forward, Im always sliding forward out of the seat when braking. I would give anything to be able to tilt the front part of the seat upwards so i feel like Im securely and comfortably positioned in the seat. I have never driven a vehicle where it was so hard to find a comfortable driving position. All my complaining aside, the interior is ultra quiet and super plush. It definitely gives the feel of a luxury car ride. The materials are of top quality and the design is very ascetically pleasing to look at while riding in the vehicle. The functionality of all the controls are well executed and much so satisfactory. One of my favorite parts about the vehicle is the driving experience. The vehicle has the ability to shove you back in your seat under acceleration and passes on the highway with ease. The handling is unbeatable by far, with the ride not compromising to much from the stiffer suspension setup. Back seat space is not to complain about and cargo room is ample. All in all Mazda outdid themselves with the design of the new CX-9 and its an SUV i would highly recommend, that is if you can find a comfortable driving position is that darn drivers seat!

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  Really Amazing Overall - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By VO - July 17 - 11:42 am

  If you like a great responsive sporty SUV this is your car. Yes as other review said third row can be a little more roomier but if you dont use it very often the cargo space is great. It is very well designed inside and out, very quick to accelerate and handles as a sport sedan. All driving aids and safety features are great too. Highly recommended

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  LOVE it but I have a problem - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By R. Russell - August 29 - 9:31 am

  I purchased the CX 9 on June 23, 2016. I was in love & I had no complaints. I have driven Mazdas before they handle well and are fun to drive. However with this model, I am experiencing a squeaky sound coming from the rear of the vehicle, starting the end of July 2016. I took the car to dealer they fixed the car... stating it was the rear suspension and they tightened everything up. The following day the noise came back. On August 12, 2016 I have an appointment to come in, this time its the chassis bolt(whatever that is) After fixing the car, my husband and I drove with the mechanic who worked on my vehicle the noise was gone. I felt relieved. I drive home...only to pull in my driveway to hear the noise AGAIN! This time I immediately phone the dealership they tell me they are not gong to have me come back in because they have no idea what it can be and they are going to get in touch with Mazda to see how they want them to handle this. I continue to drive my cx 9 while I wait to hear back from the dealership. I receive a phone call stating that Mazda knows what the problem is, its a defective part (I believe the bushings) and that the noise appears after the car reaches 500 miles the defective part wears out and that they have to develop a part and test it out. I was told my options are to wait(they assured the vehicle is safe to drive and no further damage is being done) or come in to get the part replaced with the original defective part. I chose to wait, being as though, the part was to be developed in three weeks (ha!) well three weeks come and go & the noise got LOUDER! I mean left turn, right turn, reverse and bumpy roads the noise was louder than the music. So I decide since the part still isnt ready... to have the original defective part replaced because at least I wouldnt hear the noise for the next 500 miles. WELL that part was replaced on September 26, 2016 and the noise is BAAAACCCCKKK! Not as loud as it got while driving the car but its just as loud and annoying as I originally reported. This has me feeling that mazda has not a clue as to what the problem is. I sent a certified letter to dealer & mazda this morning and will wait for the outcome. I think I have a LEMON! I have been flagging other CX9 drivers down and no one but I seems to be having this problem.

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  Fun Car. Fuel Economy no so fun. - 2016 Mazda CX-9
  By Scott - February 2 - 12:02 pm

  You cant go wrong with this car. It is fun to drive, looks good, and has a great interior. However, the fuel economy is not anywhere near advertised. To come even close to the stated highway fuel rating you need level ground, clear highway, and lock the cruise at 65mph. As soon as the turbo starts having to work the car drinks gas.