There’s a brand new king on the town at Mazda.
Since its reveal in 2016, the present CX-9 has been the model’s flagship; the largest, most luxurious, most costly automobile Mazda gives. That’s now not the case, with the arrival of the CX-90.
Together with the smaller CX-60, the CX-90 is a part of a brand new push upmarket from Mazda.
Not content material with providing probably the most luxurious vehicles amongst its present vary of rivals, the model desires to begin going head-to-head with the likes of BMW and Audi. Together with a daring look and splendid inside, which means a spread of turbocharged and electrified inline-six engines, in addition to a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid.
What does that imply for the prevailing CX-9? It’s not precisely clear.
We all know it’s sticking round via 2023, however past that we don’t know what the longer term holds for the seven year-old seven-seater.
Does the CX-9 nonetheless have one thing to supply, or is it value holding out for the extra luxurious Mazda household hauler resulting from contact down later this 12 months?
How a lot does the Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD value?
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD is priced from $67,850 earlier than on-road prices.
It sits $3000 under the Azami AWD within the vary, and is $4000 than the front-wheel drive model with the identical degree of apparatus.
That places it roughly into line with the Hyundai Palisade Elite V6 FWD ($65,900 earlier than on-roads), together with the smaller (however extra luxurious) Santa Fe Highlander 2.2 diesel AWD ($66,500 earlier than on-roads).
Over it Kia, it tackles the Sorento GT-Line Diesel AWD ($65,070 earlier than on-roads).
2023 Mazda CX-9 pricing:
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Sport FWD: $46,250
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Sport AWD: $50,250
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Touring FWD: $53,850
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD: $57,850
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 GT FWD: $63,350
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 GT SP FWD: $63,850
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Azami FWD: $66,550
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD: $67,350
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD: $67,850
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Azami AWD: $70,969
- 2023 Mazda CX-9 Azami LE AWD: $74,219
All costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD like on the within?
The CX-9 is getting a bit lengthy within the tooth, however its inside has held up effectively.
It nonetheless appears elegant, particularly with the purple leather-based seats customary on the GT SP, and many of the supplies are suitably plush. The seats are generously stuffed armchairs, the wheel is trimmed in waxy leather-based, and the central armrest feels each bit as squidgy as you’d hope.
You may fortunately spend all day behind the wheel – and we have now – with out getting drained. The ergonomics are glorious, and there’s acres of storage for the paraphernalia that comes with highway tripping or parenthood.
Mazda has lately up to date the CX-9 with a much bigger infotainment display screen working extra fashionable software program borrowed from the newest 3. The ten.25-inch Mazda Join show appears sharp, and responds shortly to inputs from the BMW-style rotary dial on the transmission tunnel.
It’s irritating that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can’t be managed with contact although, and Mazda doesn’t supply wi-fi smartphone mirroring on the CX-9 prefer it does on another fashions.
The sunroof additionally appears extra like a porthole when you think about the panoramic unit obtainable on the Hyundai Palisade, which undermines the sense of luxurious.
Issues are glorious within the second row, the place there’s house for tall adults sitting behind tall adults.
Regardless of the sunroof there’s ample headroom, and the USB ports and air vents for rear passengers are welcome. A two-seat center row with captain’s chairs is non-obligatory within the Azami LE, our tester was a seven-seater with a traditional three-seat bench.
The third row is among the greatest within the massive SUV class, with sufficient house for large youngsters. They aren’t reserved for brief journeys, both, with sufficient knee- and headroom to make highway journeys survivable again there.
There are additionally cupholders and USB vents again there. As a set of part-time seats for the soccer run they’re excellent, though mother and father who’re continually utilizing all seven seats ought to look into a correct folks mover.
With the third row in place, the CX-9 gives 230L of cargo capability, increasing to 820L with it folded.
For fogeys with a number of youngsters, the second-row chairs supply ISOFIX and top-tether factors, whereas each seats within the third row supply top-tether factors too.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Energy throughout the CX-9 vary comes from a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, hooked as much as a six-speed automated transmission and on-demand all-wheel drive.
It makes 170kW of energy at 5000rpm, and 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm. Braked towing capability is 2000kg, dropping to 750kg unbraked.
Claimed gasoline financial system is 9.0L/100km on the mixed cycle, we noticed simply between 11 and 12 litres per 100km throughout our time with the automobile.
The gasoline tank holds 74 litres, and the CX-9 will fortunately drink 91 RON common unleaded.
How does the Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD drive?
The CX-9 is a snug, relaxed cruiser.
It’s an American product in the beginning, which is why there’s no diesel. It’s a niche that’s been stuffed by the smaller CX-8 and can quickly be addressed by the CX-90, but it surely’s additionally a giant a part of why the automobile has such a relaxed character on the open highway.
Even on its sporty-looking 20-inch wheels the trip is properly sorted, absorbing pimply metropolis streets with out fuss. The automobile hides its bulk properly at low speeds, and at freeway speeds feels properly sorted. Greater crests could make it really feel a bit floaty, however that’s to be anticipated from such a giant, heavy bus on metal springs.
In 2020 we had been impressed with how the pre-update CX-9 dealt with a fully-loaded journey from Melbourne to the Victorian excessive nation. The newest mannequin has the identical indomitable feeling about it once you level its nostril on the open highway.
Mazda’s driver assists are properly calibrated. The adaptive cruise easily retains a niche to the automobile in entrance, the lane-keep help doesn’t really feel too fingers on, and the blind-spot monitor is helpful if there are heads within the again seats blocking outward imaginative and prescient.
Noise suppression is great, even on coarse-chip highways. That’s historically not one thing we’d say a couple of Mazda.
At decrease speeds, the CX-9 does a great job hiding its bulk. It’s over 5.0 metres lengthy, however the excessive driving place and light-ish steering mix to make this a automobile you’re capable of place simply in tight locations.
The reversing digital camera isn’t all that sharp although, and the dearth of a surround-view digital camera means you’re extra reliant on the much less exact parking sensor graphic to nostril proper as much as some spots. We’re hoping the brand new CX-90 has a full suite of high-resolution cameras to match these on supply within the Germans, as a result of it’s one of many final black spots within the CX-9.
As a lot as Australians like diesel engines within the massive household haulers, the petrol engine within the CX-9 packs a stable punch.
It’s easy and quiet, and peak torque kicks in at simply 2000rpm. The way in which it surfs that wave of low-down torque could be very diesel-like, and blesses the automobile with a simple, underneath harassed character in day-to-day driving. There’s additionally sufficient punch to deal with freeway driving with a full load, though the CX-9 likes a drink in case you’re working it onerous.
This isn’t a sports activities automobile, so don’t count on an excessive amount of zoom zoom, however this massive household bus doesn’t disintegrate once you’re in a rush.
The steering is linear and well-weighted, and the torque converter automated shifts quick sufficient in handbook mode to make taking cost worthwhile.
The brakes are as much as the duty of stopping such a giant, heavy beast, and physique roll is stored in test. Pushed with respect for its measurement the CX-9 is ready to get a little bit of a transfer on.
What do you get?
CX-9 Sport highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Metal short-term spare wheel
- Auto LED headlights
- Auto high-beam
- Halogen daytime working lights
- LED tail lights
- Rain-sensing window wipers
- Heated and power-folding facet mirrors
- 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- 6-speaker sound system
- Head-up show
- Three-zone local weather management
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Leather-based-wrapped gear shift knob
- Fabric upholstery
- Electrical parking brake
- Push-button begin
- Off-road traction help (AWD solely)
CX-9 Touring provides:
- 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Paddle shifters
- LED fog lights
- Entrance parking sensors
- Keyless entry
- Paddle shifters
- Black leather-based upholstery
- 8-way energy driver’s seat
- 6-way energy entrance passenger’s seat
- Heated entrance seats
- Rear centre armrest with storage and USB ports
- One-touch tip and slide swap for second row
CX-9 GT features:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Energy tailgate
- Energy tilt-and-slide sunroof
- 10.25-inch infotainment system
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- 12-speaker Bose sound system
- Leather-based upholstery (black, pure stone or beige)
- 10-way energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
- Heated outboard second row seats
- Third-row USB ports
CX-9 GT SP provides:
- Black 20-inch alloy wheels
- Black mirror caps
- Darkish gunmetal grille
- Burgundy leather-based upholstery
- Pink inside highlights
CX-9 Azami features:
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Windscreen de-icer
- 7.0-inch info show
- Heated steering wheel
- Frameless steering wheel
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Encompass-view cameras
- Actual wooden trim
- LED centre console ambient lighting
- Quilted Nappa leather-based upholstery (brown or white)
CX-9 Azami LE provides:
- Second-row captain’s chairs
- Energy-adjustable
- Heated, ventilated
- Second-row centre console
Is the Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD secure?
The CX-9 has a five-star ANCAP ranking primarily based on testing carried out in 2016. It achieved an total rating of 35.87 out of 37.00.
Twin entrance, side-chest and facet curtain airbags are customary throughout the vary. All three seating rows are coated by curtain airbags, and all seats have seat belt reminders.
Commonplace security options embrace:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Ahead and Reverse
- Pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Visitors signal recognition
- Lane departure warning
- Lane maintain help
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing digital camera
- Tyre stress monitoring
How a lot does the Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD value to run?
The CX-9 is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee like the broader Mazda vary.
Servicing is required each 12 months or 10,000 kilometres. Most rivals supply longer 15,000km intervals, which is value holding in thoughts in case you do quite a lot of freeway driving.
The primary 5 visits value $363, $408, $363, $408 and $363, totalling $1905 for the primary 5 years or 50,000km.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mazda CX-9 GT SP AWD
The Mazda CX-9 nonetheless has loads to supply, supplied diesel energy isn’t in your listing of priorities.
It’s nonetheless plush and comfy inside, with among the higher part-time third-row seats within the enterprise, and up to date expertise updates have helped deliver it in control with newer rivals.
The GT SP AWD occupies a pleasant area of interest within the sprawling CX-9 vary, providing many of the luxuries on supply within the Azami with no worth within the $70,000 vary.
Is it value ready for the CX-90? With extra energy and a extra fashionable cabin, it actually shapes as an attractive possibility – but it surely additionally shapes as a costlier one than the prevailing CX-9.
If what you need is the daddy of the Mazda vary, it’s value holding off. In the event you’re after an opulent, succesful household SUV that received’t fully break the financial institution, the CX-9 ticks all of the bins.
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