Mazda CX-9 test drive.
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-HOW IT LOOKS.
I think the CX-9 is one of the best looking Crossover/SUV/Wagon/Whateveryouwannacallit out there.
It does look like a larger CX-7. Which is a good thing.
It is modern and luxurious looking at the same time.
-HOW IT IS INSIDE.
There is plenty of room in the 2nd row. And the seats are very comfortable.
Even the 3rd row is OK. It’s actually perfect for younger kids.
The trunk is pretty huge with the 3rd row flat. And still fine when 7 are on board.
One little thing I noticed…
-HOW IT IS INSIDE.The same goes for the interior. It looks great from every angle.
My test model was the loaded Grand Touring version.
Which includes a high quality leather interior. And pretty much everything you can imagine getting in a car these days.
It did have a DVD player for the “kids in the back”.
I would rather have a sunroof myself.
(And I hate the idea of kids watching TV all the time anyway…)
The 11 speaker Bose system sounded great.
But I found the resolution on the Navigation screen a bit on the low side.
I guess we are all used to high resolution TVs, Phones and Camera screens…
The car has a very open feel to it. You see everything from the driver’s seat.
Everything you touch feels high quality and solid.
There is plenty of room in the 2nd row. And the seats are very comfortable.
Even the 3rd row is OK. It’s actually perfect for younger kids.
The trunk is pretty huge with the 3rd row flat. And still fine when 7 are on board.You can literally sleep in it if you fold everything flat.
-HOW IT DRIVES.
-HOW IT DRIVES.-Ride.
The ride is very comfortable. Yet, just a bit firm, so it never feels too soft.
The car is very quiet all the time, and there is basically no road noise.
-Steering.
Being a family car, the steering is on the soft side. But it is always very precise.
It is a very easy car to drive. Even if you are aware of how large it is.
Turning radius is also really good.
-Engine.
With 273hp, there is never any need for more power. Even in my AWD test car.
The engine is extremely smooth and quiet. Adding to the luxurious feel of the car.
It is about perfect for this car.
I cannot wait to try this engine in other cars. Like the Taurus and Mustang.
It is rated at 15 City and 21 HWY.
I did get about 15 in strictly city driving, but got a bit over 26 on the freeway. Cruising at around 70mph.
Which is really good, I think. Considering this can carry 7 humans comfortably.
-Transmission.
The 6 speed auto is as smooth as the 3.7 Liter V6 engine it is matted to.
This is really a perfect combo.
Always smooth, and actually ready to downshift.
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One little thing I noticed… On a rainy day, it becomes really hard to see what’s going on through the back up camera.
Rain drops fill up the small lens and distort the whole view.
The camera should be positioned somewhere else.
-SO?
-SO?I would not hesitate to recommend the Mazda CX-9 to anyone who needs space, for people or things, and doesn’t want to drive a Minivan.
It drives like a luxury car, and does have almost as much room as a Minivan.
Plus, it looks great, inside and out.
My loaded Grand Touring AWD model was about $40 000. Which is expensive.
But pretty much what you’d pay for a similarly equipped Minivan.
If you can do without AWD, the Grand Touring model starts at about $33000.
And places like carsdirect usually have them for $3000 under.
A great car for a very good price.
After driving this for a week, I am left wondering why anyone would get a Minivan.
Sure there is a little more room in them, but really….
I completely disagree to your evaluation on the CX-9’s exterior design. The CX-9 is one of the dorkiest looking SUV in the market. The interior also looks dated. I don't even think the CX-9 is worth a test drive. What a waste of your time Vince.
I agree with Vince. I'd have one, but a minivan has one great trump card – sliding doors. For loading dogs and cargo,. sliding doors can't be beat. I've had 2 Quests and love them. The 2011 Quest looks like it may be a killer minivan.
Mazdas might look nice, but the durability of the vehicles is very poor!! I have a blog listing all the problems I've had with my 2006 Mazda5 GT that you can read about here:
http://www.mymazda5lemon.blogspot.com
most recently, my car has begun to rust!! despite being rust proofed and undercoated!
I can't believe the gas mileage rating. That's the same as a non-hybrid Cheverole Tahoe.
Mazdas might look nice, but the durability of the vehicles is very poor!! I have a blog listing all the problems I've had with my 2006 Mazda5 GT that you can read about here:
http://www.mymazda5lemon.blogspot.com
most recently, my car has begun to rust!! despite being rust proofed and undercoated!
Dude…every car company has lemons. Every product line within a car company will have lemons. I'm assuming you're the individual that continues to hate on Mazda's – and that sucks that you've had a bad experience. However, this does not mean the ENTIRE fleet of cars / trucks / etc is garbage.
I have a CX7 – and have had zero issues with it. A lot of my friends have Mazda 6's and have had zero issues with them. One of my buddies has a Mazda 3 w/ over 500,000km's on it…not a single issue.
Don't white was an entire product portfolio as garbage based upon your experiences.
On the flip side – I've had a Nissan Pathfinder, Murano and have found them to be garbage…Similarly, my friends who own Altima's, Maxima's have had nothing but terrible experiences with them.
"Dude…every car company has lemons. Every product line within a car company will have lemons. I'm assuming you're the individual that continues to hate on Mazda's – and that sucks that you've had a bad experience. However, this does not mean the ENTIRE fleet of cars / trucks / etc is garbage.
I have a CX7 – and have had zero issues with it. A lot of my friends have Mazda 6's and have had zero issues with them. One of my buddies has a Mazda 3 w/ over 500,000km's on it…not a single issue.
Don't white was an entire product portfolio as garbage based upon your experiences.
On the flip side – I've had a Nissan Pathfinder, Murano and have found them to be garbage…Similarly, my friends who own Altima's, Maxima's have had nothing but terrible experiences with them."
It isn't just my Mazda5 that is having these issues. If you take the time to read through the comments on my site, two other owners have posted, complaining of similar problems.
Also, I know many people that have had bad experiences with Mazdas. A friend with a 2005 Mazda3 GT has rusting in the wheel wells that is worse than mine, and yet another friend with a 2002 Mazda Protege5 has rusting in the rear wheel wells as well. This seems like a trend rather than an isolated incident to me. Mazda's dismissal of the problem is the reason I am complaining. If they would simply take care of the issue, I would have no problem with Mazda. Instead, they try to place all of the blame on the owner. I think it is wonderful that you have had a good experience with your CX-7, but it is not reflective of mine, nor of people that I know.
I drove one the other day…Like you said, Vince…This thing is about perfect. I like the BMW X5 a little more but this Mazda has good space.