2021 Mazda CX-9 Review

　　

2021 Mazda CX-9 Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　Emphasizing style and performance over outright utility, the rakishly penned and turbocharged 2021 Mazda CX-9 is alluring and upscale for a three-row midsize crossover SUV. Sure, it gives up some cargo and third-row passenger space in exchange for its attractive looks, but if you don't need the maximum measurements for either metric, the trade-off might prove worthwhile.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$191/mo  for CX-9 Sport

　　CX-9 Sport

　　Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $34,160 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $36,060 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $35,950 MSRPTouring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $37,850 MSRPCarbon Edition 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $41,280 MSRPCarbon Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $43,180 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $42,140 MSRPGrand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) (Most Popular) - $44,040 MSRPSignature 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $46,805 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　This year, the 2021 Mazda CX-9 adds new infotainment technology, while the top-of-the-line Signature trim level moves deeper into premium territory with a fancy new grille and quilted leather seats. A more affordable alternative is the new CX-9 Carbon Edition, which gets a blacked-out look combined with unique paint, exclusive interior appointments and plenty of equipment.

　　As is true of any Mazda, the 2021 CX-9 is enjoyable to drive, a rarity in this segment. Be sure to examine our in-depth Expert Rating to learn all of the pros and cons of this appealing SUV.

　　

What's it like to live with?

When Mazda last redesigned the CX-9 for the 2016 model year, we decided to perform a one-year test of the family hauler. Over the course of 22,000 miles, we learned plenty about what's great about the CX-9, and what's not. Be sure to dive deeper into our everyday experiences with the Mazda CX-9, which impressed us more than it depressed us.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the CX-9 drive? The Mazda CX-9 feels like a smaller midsize SUV in many ways, including the way it drives. It's a bit more athletic than competitors on a winding road, with confident brake response, and it's easy to maneuver in tighter confines. The AWD system is tuned mainly for inclement road conditions, but it can handle your weekend "soft-roading" excursions.

　　There's a sufficient amount of power on tap that's available right off the line, delivering great response when you need to get going. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 7.6 seconds, which is good for a three-row midsize SUV, and the transmission shifts smoothly, making for a seamless daily driver experience.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the CX-9? Whether you're commuting or taking a long road trip, the CX-9 delivers a good degree of comfort. Much of the credit goes to the smooth ride, which strikes a balance between sporty and compliant. Taller tire sidewalls contribute to this balance, helping provide cushion against road imperfections. Inside, the CX-9 has well-sculpted front seats that offer ample support, but it's worth noting the third row is quite small and not as comfortable as many competitors' back rows. The cabin, however, is luxury-level quiet, which is impressive.

　　Our test car's climate control is easy to use, but it might not blow cold enough if you have polar bear blood running through your veins. The heated and ventilated front seats work decently, and rear passengers have access to climate controls for their area.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The 2020 Mazda CX-9's interior is thoughtfully designed, simple and elegant, and a benchmark for non-luxury SUVs. The primary controls are easy to reach and use. The main control dial is instantly intuitive and provides quick navigation within the menus of the sharp-looking 9-inch infotainment display.

　　Getting in and out of the CX-9 is easy, and access to the third row is much improved thanks to new second-row captain's chairs available in the Signature trim. The first and second rows have a good amount of room, but the third row is best reserved for kids. Visibility isn't quite as open as in other SUVs because of the CX-9's thickish pillars and a rear window that's on the smaller side.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The Bose stereo system, found in the Grand Touring trims and up, delivers clear and powerful sound. 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 — six total in our top trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on Touring models and up.

　　All CX-9s come loaded with advanced safety and driver aids such as adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and lane keeping assist. They're well tuned to deal with heavy traffic, and false alarms are rare. Adaptive cruise and lane keeping work well to relieve the burden of heavy traffic.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The CX-9 falls behind the competition in cargo and utility. The 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row could be adequate for many shoppers, but for comparison, there's 21 cubic feet in the class-leading Kia Telluride. Max cargo is equally short, with 71.2 cubic feet in the CX-9 and 87 cubes in the Telluride.

　　Thoughtful interior design makes the CX-9 easy to live with, and growing families should find adequate space for all their things. Door pockets and cupholders are nicely sized. Car seats are easy to install with the second-row captain's chairs. There's a good amount of room for any size car seat, even large rear-facing ones. If you plan to do much towing, the CX-9 doesn't lead in that area, maxing out at a lower-than-average 3,500 pounds.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA fuel economy rating for our all-wheel-drive CX-9 is 23 mpg combined (20 city/26 highway), which is slightly better than average for this class. The 2WD version is rated at 24 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway). We were mostly able to hit those fuel economy targets, but they can be easy to miss if you're heavy-footed. If saving money is more of a priority than max engine power, the CX-9 has the ability to run on regular octane fuel.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the CX-9 a good value? The CX-9 is definitely among the leaders in terms of its build quality, especially in top Signature trim. The base CX-9 starts around $35,000, slightly above average, but it offers more standard features. It's priced fairly competitively at the top end, and the interior closely resembles a luxury-class cabin thanks to exquisite materials, uniform gaps and clean, elegant design. The exterior paint is well done too.

　　Warranty coverage and ownership benefits such as roadside assistance are pretty standard for the class.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Mazda CX-9 Signature is a standout in the three-row midsize SUV class, mostly for its striking design and relatively engaging driving experience. It feels decently athletic through corners but not at the expense of ride comfort. It's the most original offering in the segment.

　　

Which CX-9 does zzdcar recommend?

If you're looking for the best combination of value and equipment, the CX-9 Touring is easy to recommend. Choose between front- and all-wheel drive, a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, and the maximum number of paint and interior color combinations. Leather seats are standard, along with triple-zone automatic climate control and the CX-9's new infotainment system. An option package adds premium sound, second-row window shades and wireless device charging.

　　

2021 Mazda CX-9 models

For 2021, the Mazda CX-9 lineup expands by one trim level. The new Carbon Edition drops into the lineup above the base Sport and midlevel Touring grades and below the upscale Grand Touring and near-luxury Signature trims.

　　Sport

　　The Mazda CX-9 Sport is thoughtfully equipped with:

　　Turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium gas) Six-speed automatic transmission Standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive 18-inch alloy wheels Automatic LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation Heated side mirrors Rain-sensing windshield wipers Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Second-row bench seat (seven-passenger seating) Triple-zone automatic climate control 10.25-inch infotainment system display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Every CX-9 also comes with:

　　Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go operation (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Lane keeping assist (steers the CX-9 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

　　Touring

　　The Mazda CX-9 Touring builds on Sport equipment with:

　　Keyless ignition and entry Leather seats Power-adjustable front passenger seat Auto-dimming rearview mirror Rear USB ports Power rear liftgate Optional for the Touring is a Touring Premium package. It adds:

　　12-speaker premium sound system Satellite radio Wireless smartphone charging Sunroof Second-row window shades Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking) Carbon Edition

　　New for 2021, the Mazda CX-9 Carbon Edition includes the contents of the Touring Premium package, plus:

　　Exclusive Polymetal Gray paint, red leather seats and interior trim Dark-finish grille and 20-inch wheels Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) Windshield wiper de-icer system Power-folding side mirrors Power-adjustable driver's seat Ventilated front seats Heated steering wheel Heated rear seats Second-row captain's chairs Wireless device charging pad Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Grand Touring

　　It loses the Carbon Edition's cosmetic exclusives but gains:

　　Hands-free liftgate Integrated navigation system Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Traffic sign recognition system Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the CX-9 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Signature

　　Aiming to deliver luxury, the Mazda CX-9 Signature is equipped with:

　　All-wheel drive Exclusive grille design and finish with LED lighting Premium quilted leather upholstery with piping Real wood interior trim Second-row captain's chairs with center console

　　

2021 CX-9 Highlights

Trim: SportTouringCarbon EditionGrand TouringSignatureSport

　　

Base MSRP	$34,160
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$191/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles