Jeep Grand Cherokee 2WD vs Mazda CX-9 2WD

Well priced and well stocked with family needs, the Laredo is a spacious, practical, comfortable and even well-built wagon. Five-seat layout loses appeal against Mazda and it’s only $3000 less than 4WD. No capped-price servicing and services are six-monthly. Three-year/100,000km warranty, three-year roadside assist and a strong 59 per cent resale.

It’s a lot of car for this price. The CX-9 doesn’t necessarily need to go bush. Equipment similar to the Jeep but seven-seat layout adds an edge. Standard are cloth trim, six-speaker audio, 18-inch alloy wheels, multi-zone aircon and no-cost metallic paint. No capped-price for six-monthly services. Retained value is 54 per cent.

Eight-speed auto makes a lot of difference to performance and economy compared with the outgoing five-speed. Jeep claims 10.1L/100km (not much off the 4WD’s 10.4L) from a big 93L tank. The 3.6-litre V6 (210kW/347Nm) drives the rear wheels. In-car electronics include easy-connect Bluetooth and voice recognition.

Mazda’s only six-cylinder (3.7-litre V6, 204kW/367Nm) claims 11.0L/100km and drives the front wheels via a six-speed auto. It matches the Jeep’s infotainment spec, with voice recognition and Bluetooth. Flexible cabin’s sliding second seat row makes access to third row easy. The Classic tows 2000kg.

One of the best-looking big 4WDs, strong, well-proportioned - and a Clayton’s off-roader. Dual-mode rear tailgate, flat-fold rear seats and excellent cabin room with 782L (seats up) and 1554L maximum space. Tow rated for only 1600kg. Dash design is tops with decent storage, clear instruments and steering wheel controls. Foot-operated parkbrake is clunky.

The Mazda family face helps disguise some of its bulk. Rounded body makes it less predictable to park, though standard rear camera helps. Dash is simple and functional, if dated, and park brake is foot-operated. All seats up, cargo space is 267L (1911L when folded almost flat). The CX-9 is longer by almost 30cm than the Jeep.

No crash test (previous model, four stars). Standard are seven airbags, electronic stability and traction control, reverse camera, tyre pressure sensor, automatic dip bi-xenon headlights, auto lights and wipers and full-size spare.

The CX-9 gets a five-star crash rating and has six airbags, electronic stability and traction control, emergency brake signalling, automatic headlights and wipers but has a space-saver spare wheel.

Marginal difference in road-feel from 4WD version, particular in cornering with extra body roll and understeer, but basically it’s the same drive experience. Good layout of controls (parkbrake excepted) and well-weighted steering make it an easy drive. Ride comfort and driveline smoothness are hallmarks when driven normally but engine can get harsh towards the top of the tacho. Excellent visibility and a sense of safety prevail.

The Classic’s 18-inch wheels endow a supple ride (more expensive versions have firm-riding 20-inchers) that is very family friendly. But the payback is more body roll and understeer. The engine is smooth and responsive but its choice of only six gears makes shift points far more noticeable than the Jeep with its eight cogs. The electric-assist steering is also quite light, a boon in city and suburban parking, though feels vague at speed.