2010 Mazda CX9
Zoom-Zoom and Room Too
It’s not easy to make a large SUV look stylish, but Mazda has managed to do so with its CX9. It’s sloping hood, upsweeping beltline and open-mouth grille give this sport/ute a jaunty look. While it may appear that the CX9 is just a stretched version of Mazda’s midsize CX7, that’s not the case. The CX 9 rides on a longer (113.2-inch) platform that it shares with the Ford Edge.
The interior of the CX9 is as stylish as its exterior sheet metal. The cabin of my mid-range Touring model looked more like that of a luxury car, than a SUV. The two-tone leather-trimmed seats, were complemented by matching two-tone trim on the dash and doors. Glossy black accents added an elegant touch.
Besides looking classy, the cabin of the CX9 is roomy and comfortable for seven people The driver and front passenger share a commanding view of the road, thanks to a low mounted dash. Those in the second row, even if they are tall, have adequate head- and legroom. Third-row seats are easily accessed, via the CX9’s large doors, and second-row seats that slide forward. But the “way-back” positions are best suited to the young and agile. Air conditioning controls for rear passengers are mounted on the back edge of the center console. This can be convenient for those in the rear, or a source of agitation if you have kids.
Mazda propels the CX9 with a 3.7-liter V-6 that generates 273 horsepower, and gets 15-22 mpg. It’s teamed with a six-speed automatic with a manual shift mode. My test car accelerated well (60 mph in 7.5 seconds) but it really didn’t feel that quick off the line. However, the manual shift feature didn’t disappoint. It provided an added measure of control when descending mountain roads. The CX9 is capable of towing up to 3500 lbs., and can be ordered with either front-wheel, or all-wheel drive.
It would be too much to expect that the CX9’s handling would be as sporty as that of a Mazda6 sedan, but it is sportier than its competition. This SUV feels well balanced, which enables it to track around corners without much body lean. It also absorbs bumps well, and delivers a smooth ride. However, what’s most impressive about the CX9 is its quietness. Cruising the freeway, there was virtually no engine sound, and very little wind noise. I found that it was easy to creep up to 80 mph without noticing it.
The CX9 is a pleasing alternative to boxy-looking SUVs. Mazda offers it in three levels of trim, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. My Touring model had a base price of $31,305. With options that included, a moonroof, satellite radio, a rearview camera, a power liftgate and keyless entry and start, the bottom line was $34,527.
Snapshot Review:
Sporty Styling
Car-Like Cabin
Loads of Room
Quiet Ride
