by Most family crossovers are hard to call driver’s cars. First, they’re large and quite heavy; second, their priority is comfort. However, there are exceptions such as the new Mazda CX-9, which turned out to be quite interesting to drive.
The CX-9 is Mazda’s largest (excluding pickups) – over 5 m in length with a wheelbase of nearly three meters. The design follows the brand’s traditional styling – with a long hood, a huge smiling grille, and narrow LED headlights. At the back, a curved chrome molding and arrow-shaped taillights catch the eye. By the way, all Mazda CX-9 in Ukraine come with 20-inch wheels.
The trim materials are as good as in the premium segment – Nappa leather, wood, aluminum. The three-spoke steering wheel is small and not overloaded with buttons. The instrument layout is familiar from the junior Mazda CX-30 – with a central display for the speedometer and onboard computer. There’s also a head-up display.
The new Mazda CX-9 2021 received an enlarged 9-inch multimedia display. It’s touch-sensitive, although there’s also a joystick with a set of buttons for navigation – while driving, you can only use them since the touchscreen gets locked. Of course, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included. The climate switches are tightly grouped. Traditionally for Mazda, the volume control of the audio system is located next to the gear lever.
However, it would be nice to have a few more compartments for small items, and the glove compartment and armrest compartment are small. But there are enough cupholders – they are available in all three rows, as the Mazda crossover is designed with the American market in mind, where this is a must.
Naturally, the front seats have electric adjustments (the driver’s seat has memory), as well as heating and ventilation. The steering wheel is also heated. The seats are comfortable and provide good back support. It’s also worth noting the surprisingly good visibility – thanks to thin roof pillars, high seating, and large mirrors. Surprisingly, you quickly get used to the size of the large crossover.
There’s plenty of space in the second row of the Mazda CX-9, and three adult passengers won’t feel cramped. Additionally, there’s horizontal seat adjustment. Moreover, there’s heating and individual climate controls, as well as window shades.
The third row is more suitable for children or shorter adults. However, if you fold it, the trunk volume increases from 230 to a very respectable 840 liters. Its maximum is 1848 liters, and the cabin length allows for transporting a refrigerator. The loading opening is wide, and the trunk door has an electric drive.
Mazda CX-9 is offered in Ukraine only in well-equipped versions. The TOP configuration includes keyless access, electric package, tri-zone climate control, sunroof, rain and light sensors, rearview camera, parking sensors, Bose audio system, navigation, adaptive cruise control. Additionally, there’s a full range of electronic systems – automatic braking, lane and “blind” spot monitoring, driver fatigue monitoring.
The 2.5-liter 231-hp turbo engine is very lively. It revs up quickly, and there’s plenty of torque – a substantial 420 Nm is available from just 2000 rpm. Overtaking on the highway is easy and effortless, and the CX-9 starts quickly from a traffic light. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. However, it’s important to note that with spirited driving, fuel consumption will increase – we averaged around 12 liters/100 km.
It’s challenging to find any equals to the CX-9 in handling within this class – it demonstrated that a large crossover can indeed provide driving pleasure. The heavy vehicle is surprisingly obedient and well-maneuvering. The steering is precise and informative, and there’s also a sport mode in which the steering is heavier, and the automatic maintains higher revs. The suspension is quite resilient for a big crossover, yet it handles most road imperfections with no problem. Indeed, these settings come with an advantage – the tall vehicle surprisingly leans very little in turns. The cabin is very quiet – neither aerodynamic noise nor tire noise disturbs, and the engine is heard only at high revs.
Of course, the Mazda CX-9 is not the car for mud-bashing, but off the pavement in snowy forests, there were no issues. Furthermore, the updated crossover now features an off-road helper – Off-Road Traction Assist. By the way, the ground clearance is substantial – 220 mm.
The new Mazda CX-9 is an atypical seven-seater crossover because it’s not only large and spacious but can also evoke emotions. The TOP version of the car is priced from 1,496,000 hryvnias.
Specifications of the Mazda CX-9:
- 4-cylinder gasoline turbo engine, transversely mounted in the front
- Displacement of 2488 cm3
- Power of 231 at 5000 rpm
- Maximum torque of 420 Nm at 2000 rpm
- All-wheel drive
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- Maximum speed of 210 km/h
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 8.6 s
- Fuel consumption city/highway 12.9/7.3 l/100 km
- Dimensions (length/width/height/wheelbase): 5075/1969/1747/2930 mm
- Trunk volume is 230-1848 l
- Ground clearance of 220 mm
- Turning diameter of 11.8 m
