Room is no problem- and even if your family of 4 or 5 is grown up, they'll each have plenty of space. Those in the third row won't complain if they aren't too big, and seating all moves around as needed for flexible hauling. Entry and exit are reasonably easy, though a slight step up is required to access the cabin. Visibility is decent, though obscured at the very rear. Set up your mirrors properly and use the back-up camera to be safe.
A sporty heavyweight
Keeping with Mazda's sporty demeanor, the centre console is appreciably raised to a height which allows the drivers arm to rest up high- hand comfortably on the shifter if wanted. It puts a Mazda MX-5 sort of driving position into a large SUV, resulting in a sports-car like feel. Even the steering wheel and instrument cluster are sexy- and reminiscent of some of Mazda's sports cars.
That's not inappropriate, as the first thing you'll notice when driving the CX-9 is its sportiness. The wheel instantly and sharply sends your every command straight to the roads surface, and the brakes are much the same- engaging right at the top of the pedal's travel with minimal effort. They're very precise and easy to modulate. The end result is handling and performance that's far more inspiring than it needs to be.
CX-9 is a fun-to-drive 7-passenger machine if one ever existed- and it's perfect if you wanted a sports car but need room for 5 people and a weekends worth of gear.
Wearing such large wheels can be more jarring than jogging in steeltoes, though CX-9's ride doesn't suffer horribly. It's unquestionably tight and stiff- but it feels more athletic than uncomfortable.
A confident powertrain?
Compared to the steering and brakes, the power delivery is a bit underwhelming. The new 3.7 litre V6 has plenty of high-revving punch and the all-surface grip of an automatic AWD system. Thing is, stodgy highway throttle response and a hesitation to downshift lets experience down a little.
CX-9 remains the sportiest and most fun-to-drive crossover I've experienced all year- but it's also one of the thirstiest, putting away as much as 20L / 100km in city driving and averaging a marginal 16L / 100km. That's on par with some competitors, though considerably more than I experienced in a GMC Acadia or Toyota Highlander.
Why Buy?
This one stands out everywhere it goes. Park it nose-out of a parking space at the mall, and you'll be able to spot its humongous, grinning visage from 3 blocks away. CX-9 is not shy and conservative about its looks, or the fact that it's got sports-car blood running through its veins.
This playing field is, as of yet, largely devoid of benchmarks and boundaries- and Mazda's used this to advance sportiness, style and excitement in the crossover class.
Sports car reflexes
Plenty of family-friendly room
Unquestionable all-weather capability
Some ergonomic issues inside
Likes gas, a lot
photo:Justin Pritchard
A sporty heavyweight
Keeping with Mazda's sporty demeanor, the centre console is appreciably raised to a height which allows the drivers arm to rest up high- hand comfortably on the shifter if wanted. It puts a Mazda MX-5 sort of driving position into a large SUV, resulting in a sports-car like feel. Even the steering wheel and instrument cluster are sexy- and reminiscent of some of Mazda's sports cars.
That's not inappropriate, as the first thing you'll notice when driving the CX-9 is its sportiness. The wheel instantly and sharply sends your every command straight to the roads surface, and the brakes are much the same- engaging right at the top of the pedal's travel with minimal effort. They're very precise and easy to modulate. The end result is handling and performance that's far more inspiring than it needs to be.
CX-9 is a fun-to-drive 7-passenger machine if one ever existed- and it's perfect if you wanted a sports car but need room for 5 people and a weekends worth of gear.
Wearing such large wheels can be more jarring than jogging in steeltoes, though CX-9's ride doesn't suffer horribly. It's unquestionably tight and stiff- but it feels more athletic than uncomfortable.
 |
| The powertrain is powerful enough but thirsty to say the least. |
A confident powertrain?
Compared to the steering and brakes, the power delivery is a bit underwhelming. The new 3.7 litre V6 has plenty of high-revving punch and the all-surface grip of an automatic AWD system. Thing is, stodgy highway throttle response and a hesitation to downshift lets experience down a little.
CX-9 remains the sportiest and most fun-to-drive crossover I've experienced all year- but it's also one of the thirstiest, putting away as much as 20L / 100km in city driving and averaging a marginal 16L / 100km. That's on par with some competitors, though considerably more than I experienced in a GMC Acadia or Toyota Highlander.
Why Buy?
This one stands out everywhere it goes. Park it nose-out of a parking space at the mall, and you'll be able to spot its humongous, grinning visage from 3 blocks away. CX-9 is not shy and conservative about its looks, or the fact that it's got sports-car blood running through its veins.
This playing field is, as of yet, largely devoid of benchmarks and boundaries- and Mazda's used this to advance sportiness, style and excitement in the crossover class.
 |
Plenty of family-friendly room
Unquestionable all-weather capability
 |
Some ergonomic issues inside
 |
Likes gas, a lot
photo:Justin Pritchard
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