2019 Mazda CX-9 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are newly availableRetuned suspension for a smoother rideNew surround-view parking camera systemPart of the second CX-9 generation introduced for 2016

　　The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is one of the highest-rated vehicles on zzdcar. On a rather superficial level, we like it for its styling that makes rival midsize SUVs seem generic by comparison. The same holds true for the interior of the top Signature trim, which rivals the cabins of some luxury-branded vehicles for materials quality.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mazda CX-9 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$154/mo  for CX-9 Sport

　　CX-9 Sport

　　Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $32,280 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $34,080 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $35,330 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $37,130 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $40,840 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) (Most Popular) - $42,640 MSRPSignature 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $45,365 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　It's not all about looks for the CX-9 either. It drives exceptionally well compared to rivals, with confident and almost sporty handling. Thankfully, this cornering prowess doesn't come at the expense of comfort, as the CX-9 smooths over the rough stuff with ease. We also commend it for its quiet cabin at highway speeds.

　　The CX-9 does have a few weaknesses, though. If you need a three-row family hauler with exceptional cargo space, this isn't the vehicle for you. The same goes for the amount of room for third-row passengers. Still, it's fair to say that the CX-9 is still big enough to meet the needs of the typical crossover SUV shopper.

　　In the end, the 2019 Mazda CX-9's positive attributes far outweigh its space issues. It's definitely worth considering against any other midsize three-row SUV such as the Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Mazda CX-9 as one of zzdcar' Best Family SUVs, Best Family SUVs, and Best Family SUVs for this year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

To learn more about the Mazda CX-9 of this generation, read about our editors' experiences from a full year and 20,000 miles of driving a Best Family SUVs. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy. We found the CX-9 to be one of the most fun and best-looking SUVs around, but its cargo space might not be enough for some shoppers. Note that the 2019 Mazda CX-9 differs from our long-term 2016 CX-9 in that it offers more standard features and a retuned suspension. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of a Mazda CX-9 Signature (turbo 2.5L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the CX-9 has received some minor revisions. Our findings remain applicable to this year's model, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

8.5

　　The Mazda CX-9 is one of those vehicles that earns the "it drives like a smaller car" description. It feels more athletic than competitors on a winding road and is more maneuverable in trickier confines. The turbocharged engine has enough power to satisfy most drivers.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　Plentiful power and sharp response off the line. The CX-9 has no trouble passing slower traffic, and it easily accelerates up to speed when merging onto a highway. Power tapers off as the engine nears redline. In our tests, a 0-60 mph run took 7.3 seconds — about average for this class.

　　

Braking

8.5

　　The brakes feel firm, dependable and easy to modulate in everyday driving. As a result, the CX-9 is quite controllable in panic-stop tests. Our test vehicle needed 115 feet to stop from 60 mph — an admirably short stop for a three-row crossover SUV.

　　

Steering

9.0

　　The CX-9 has good straight-ahead stability on the highway and delivers crisp response when turning. It maintains a good sense of connection with the driver, and the steering effort builds nicely as it bends into corners. Excellent among SUVs and better than some sedans.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　The CX-9 feels eager and nimble on mountain roads. You might notice a bit of body roll in long corners because of the CX-9's relatively high SUV driving position, but it builds gradually and the chassis remains secure and settled throughout. The overall feel is one of confidence.

　　

Drivability

9.0

　　The CX-9 moves out quickly when you press on the accelerator, yet the pedal is smooth and easy to regulate. The smart-shifting transmission executes smooth shifts that are made quickly when they need to be.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Whether you're just commuting or taking a long road trip, the CX-9 delivers an impressive degree of comfort thanks to a smooth ride, quiet cabin and well-sculpted seats. Our test car's air conditioning was mediocre, but we're not yet certain if this early test sample is representative.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　We found the front seats to be well-shaped and supportive over many hours of touring. The sliding and reclining second-row seats proved just as accommodating. But the third row's low cushion and tight headroom limit its appeal.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　Previous Mazda SUVs have generally been tuned for stiff sportiness, but the CX-9 is more focused on comfort and luxury. It smooths out road imperfections exceptionally well, but we did encounter some residual rebounds after rolling over moderate-size lumps and bumps.

　　

Noise & vibration

9.0

　　This is one quiet highway cruiser. Wind and road noise is silenced to levels we're accustomed to (not) hearing in luxury vehicles. The level of quietness might have made a few minor creaks from the center console seem louder than they were. (Note: Our test car was a preproduction sample.)

　　

Climate control

6.0

　　On hot days our CX-9's automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin as cool as we would have liked.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　Pretty much everything about the CX-9's interior feels right and thoughtfully designed. This is a new benchmark for non-luxury SUVs, and other manufacturers should take notes on how Mazda makes the most of available space and how quality components all contribute to a favorable impression.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　Most major controls are logically placed and easy to use. The infotainment system's main control knob is easily one of the best we've encountered. It is placed where your hand normally rests, the screen is right in your sight line, response is quick and the menus are intuitive.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　Access to the front and middle-row seats is easy thanks to tall openings and no obstructions. In tight spots, the relatively short doors can open wide so you don't have to squeeze in. Access to the third row does require a short but inelegant crawl.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　Space and seat adjustments ensure that just about anyone can find a comfortable driving position. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel has enough travel to please taller drivers, and the armrests are right where they should be to provide appropriate support.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　The CX-9 feels larger inside than its exterior suggests, and its front and middle rows easily accommodate larger passengers. The third row has enough space to prevent claustrophobia, but a low cushion and tight headroom make it best suited for kids and smaller adults.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　Visibility out the front and sides is generous, but thickish front roof pillars can obstruct the view somewhat through tight turns. The rear view is compromised by broad rear pillars and a small rear window, but it's no worse than in a typical SUV in its class.

　　

Quality

9.0

　　The Signature trim makes use of interior materials that are usually reserved for premium luxury vehicles. Every surface has a solid, quality feel, the gaps are uniform and tight, and the paint looks fantastic. This is as nice an SUV as you'll get in the class.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　The CX-9 doesn't hold as much cargo as competing SUVs. But thoughtful design makes it easy to live with, and growing families should find adequate space for their stuff. Few people tow with SUVs in this class, so the fact that the CX-9 doesn't lead in this area might not be of concern.

　　

Small-item storage

7.0

　　You'll find numerous interior storage cubbies for your personal items. The door pockets are a healthy size and have indents that hold large water bottles.

　　

Cargo space

7.5

　　We found the CX-9's cargo capacity to be sufficient at 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 71.2 cubic feet with all the seats folded. But others in the class offer more. On the plus side, the CX-9 has a flat cargo floor that makes it easy to load bulky items.

　　

Towing

　　Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds, which is on the low side of average among competing three-row SUVs. The Class II hitch and wiring harness are sold together as an after-purchase accessory.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　Mazda took a page from the German luxury playbook by incorporating a dial-based infotainment interface, and it's one of the better systems at any price. Likewise, the active-safety aids it offers seem to be well-tuned to prevent false alarms.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　The Bose stereo (standard on the Grand Touring trim and above) delivers clear and powerful audio. And the audio and navigation interface is one of the best in the industry thanks to its sharp and well-placed screen, thoughtful menu structure, and a controller that's easy to learn and use.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　Smartphones are easy to pair and quick to be recognized on startup. There are also plenty of USB ports to keep everyone's devices charged. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a new addition for the 2019 model year, too.

　　

Driver aids

8.5

　　Advanced safety features such as forward collision warning and lane keeping assist are well-tuned to areas with heavy traffic. False alarms are rare, yet the systems function as expected when needed.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　Voice recognition is accurate, and the on-screen prompts simplify use. Using voice commands to enter an address is as easy as with any other system.

　　

Which CX-9 does zzdcar recommend?

　　The Touring trim has been our go-to choice in the past. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto this year makes an even stronger case in this trim's favor. Now that you can use your smartphone for navigation, there's less of a reason to spring for the optional Touring package that we used to recommend.

　　

2019 Mazda CX-9 models

　　The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is a three-row crossover SUV that seats seven passengers. It's available in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature trim levels. All CX-9s are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 227 horsepower (or 250 hp with premium fuel) and 310 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

　　Standard features on the Sport include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, tri-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split folding second-row seats, 50/50-split folding third-row seats, Bluetooth, Mazda's Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch display, two USB ports and a six-speaker sound system. Also included is blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a low-speed automatic emergency braking system useful in urban and congested traffic.

　　The Touring trim adds to the Sport's features with automatic headlights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, a power liftgate, keyless ignition and entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, heated front seats, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and two USB ports in the second-row center armrest.

　　The Touring also adds more safety features, including automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and enhanced automatic emergency braking.

　　The Grand Touring trim further dresses things up with 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, LED foglights, roof rails, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, a head-up display with traffic sign recognition, a digital gauge cluster, driver-seat memory functions, ventilated front seats, retractable sunshades for the middle-row seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, aluminum interior trim, additional interior lighting, a navigation system, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system and satellite radio.

　　At the top of the range is the Signature trim, which adds all-wheel drive, exterior LED accent lighting, and premium leather upholstery and interior trim.

　　Some of the features on higher trims are available on supporting models as options.

　　

2019 CX-9 Highlights

Trim: SportTouringGrand TouringSignatureSport

　　

Base MSRP	$32,280
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$154/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles