Outfitted with a 3.7L V6, the CX-9 pushes out 273 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Add to that the 6-speed automatic transmission with a responsive, quick sport shift mode and you've got an SUV that drives very much like a car when asked to.
Taking it on twisty, uneven roads is a breeze, even at speed. The Mazda CX-9 handles itself very well when pushed. Body roll is minimal and the CX-9 manages to feel light on its wheels, despite the 2,062-kg (4,546-lb) curb weight of the AWD version. This SUV is no lightweight, and yet I never felt like I was lugging around that extra heft on the road.
Braking on the CX-9 is stable and enhanced by Mazda's advanced Roll Stability Control (RSC), a plus for anyone who has qualms about top-heavy rollovers while driving larger vehicles. The RSC system monitors the body-roll rate and wheel speed sensors to take corrective measures when necessary to keep you upright on the road at all times.
Should you run into a spot of trouble (read: misjudge that corner and come in too hot), the CX-9 will apply a bit of momentary torque reduction combined with an automatic brake application to keep you out of the ditch and your Mazda right-side-up on the road.
The interior of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 is, perhaps, my favourite part about this vehicle. The beige leather seats with light grey inserts coupled with the beige wood trim and chrome dash give the CX-9 a sophisticated and luxurious interior feel often reserved for the more opulent brands on the road today. The middle console, sporting a touch screen and easy-to-navigate buttons and knobs, is straightforward and cleanly designed. Again, this is something I've come to expect from Mazda.
The bells and whistles are there, but they aren't deafening you in the process. On my GT model, I had all the gadgets: blind-spot monitoring system, back-up camera, BOSE audio system, and even a rear entertainment packaged with a drop-down screen to keep the kiddies in check on long trips.
With a price tag of just under $50,000 (as tested), some might say the Mazda CX-9 is a bit too pricey for what it is. After all, it's just a Mazda. At first, I was inclined to think the same thing.
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| Outfitted with a 3.7L V6, the CX-9 pushes out 273 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Taking it on twisty, uneven roads is a breeze, even at speed. The Mazda CX-9 handles itself very well when pushed. Body roll is minimal and the CX-9 manages to feel light on its wheels, despite the 2,062-kg (4,546-lb) curb weight of the AWD version. This SUV is no lightweight, and yet I never felt like I was lugging around that extra heft on the road.
Braking on the CX-9 is stable and enhanced by Mazda's advanced Roll Stability Control (RSC), a plus for anyone who has qualms about top-heavy rollovers while driving larger vehicles. The RSC system monitors the body-roll rate and wheel speed sensors to take corrective measures when necessary to keep you upright on the road at all times.
Should you run into a spot of trouble (read: misjudge that corner and come in too hot), the CX-9 will apply a bit of momentary torque reduction combined with an automatic brake application to keep you out of the ditch and your Mazda right-side-up on the road.
The interior of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 is, perhaps, my favourite part about this vehicle. The beige leather seats with light grey inserts coupled with the beige wood trim and chrome dash give the CX-9 a sophisticated and luxurious interior feel often reserved for the more opulent brands on the road today. The middle console, sporting a touch screen and easy-to-navigate buttons and knobs, is straightforward and cleanly designed. Again, this is something I've come to expect from Mazda.
The bells and whistles are there, but they aren't deafening you in the process. On my GT model, I had all the gadgets: blind-spot monitoring system, back-up camera, BOSE audio system, and even a rear entertainment packaged with a drop-down screen to keep the kiddies in check on long trips.
With a price tag of just under $50,000 (as tested), some might say the Mazda CX-9 is a bit too pricey for what it is. After all, it's just a Mazda. At first, I was inclined to think the same thing.
 |
| The middle console, sporting a touch screen and easy-to-navigate buttons and knobs, is straightforward and cleanly designed. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |