2016 Mazda CX-9

December 19th, 2016 Reviews

The Mazda CX-9 was born in 2006, out of a partnership with Ford. Built on the same platform as the Ford Edge, it was meant to help Mazda plug a gap in its range and offer an SUV with three rows.

Fast forward almost a decade and Mazda has learned enough about making SUVs to come up with its own product. The 2016 CX-9 gets a better engine, a better gearbox, and lighter architecture. With a more athletic design and better materials, the seven-seater can make moms and dads happier.

Mazda takes a big step further away from the early days when the CX-9 looked more like an MPV/minivan. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 looks like a proper SUV. The imposing grille with five double blades and the sculpted lower bumper give the CX-9 an elegant but sporty look. The top Signature trim has LED grille accent lights. Mazda’s largest SUV comes standard with LED headlights and taillights while adaptive headlights are standard on the Grand Touring and Signature trims.

The second generation CX-9 stands at 199.4 in long, 1.2 in shorter than the previous model. But the wheelbase has grown by 2.2 in. 2.3 in shorter front overhang and 1 in shorter rear overhang, and moving the A-pillar back by 3.9 inches, enhance the CX-9’s athletic appearance. The base Spor trim rides on 18-inch wheels, as does the Touring model, while the Grand Touring and Signature trims get 20-inch wheels.

While the rear is designed to be similar to the CX-5, the CX-9 features narrower taillights and a chrome blade running between them. A power liftgate is standard on all but the base trim. A choice of seven exterior colors is offered on the 2016 Mazda CX-9.

Adding a Signature top trim level brings a new level of quality to the CX-9 cabin, with premium materials like Nappa leather and Japanese rosewood. The design relies on elements taken from other Mazda models, but the seven-seater adds its own "personal" touches.

Three-zone automatic climate control comes as standard even on the base trim. Leather upholstery and power front seats with heating function are standard starting with the Touring trim and an available option on the Sport trim. No word about heated second-row seats on any of the models, but at least the second-row passengers get retractable sunshades. As a family-friendly feature, a second-row seat can be folded forward while still accommodating a child seat so that you won’t have to remove it. Mazda has also made it so that a child can access the third-row unaided, with the use of a single lever.

An eight-inch, free-standing display is available on all models except the base trim, which comes with a seven-inch screen. Navigation is standard on the top two trim levels, as is a power moonroof and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. All of these features are available on the Touring trim, as an optional package. The instrument cluster is available with a 4.6-inch TFT display and heads-up display.

The Mazda Connect infotainment system, the basis for most of the 2015 Mazda CX-9’s tech features, is standard. That doesn’t mean you’re going to get all the gadgets in one package, but you do get things like Bluetooth connectivity and voice control starting with the base trim. Pandora and Aha streaming services are also offered through Mazda Connect.

SiriusXM satellite radio is an available option on the Touring trim and standard on Grand Touring and Signature. Keyless entry and start are standard from the Touring trim level, as is HomeLink support. Two USB ports are available to the front passengers, while second-row passengers also get two available USB ports, with charging capability.

Under the hood of the 2016 Mazda CX-9 resides a single engine option. It’s a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four, generating 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Horsepower drops to 227 when using 87-octane gas. All trim levels come standard with a six-speed automatic. Stopping power is provided by 12.6-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 12.8-inch solid rear discs.

All-wheel drive is available on all trim levels and standard on the Signature model. Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD system analyzes road conditions 200 times per second and can send as much as 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels. EPA estimates for the front-wheel drive CX-9 are 22 MPG city, 28 highway and 25 combined.

Depending on trim, the 2016 Mazda CX-9 can come loaded with all the safety features you’d expect in a modern vehicle. The most notable ones include blind spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous braking, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, lane departure warning, and lane keep assist. The blind spot monitor on the CX-9 uses a powerful 24 GHz radar on each side of the car and can detect vehicles closing in from as much as 164 ft away. A rearview camera is standard even on the base trim, as is an electronic park brake and trailer stability assist. Rain-sensing wipers come standard only on the top two trims, though.

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 has gotten closer to being a premium, large SUV. But without having proper convenience and entertainment options for second and third-row passengers, the whole seven-seater argument isn’t a very strong one. It feels like Mazda just wants to round out its line-up with a vehicle that seats seven people, which is important in the US market. It’s not a convincing attempt at winning crowds away from rivals like the Honda Pilot.

California,US

2016 Mazda CX-9

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