2014 Mazda CX-9 Reviews

Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the 2016 Mazda CX-9 Touring FWD with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Andrew Chesterton road tests and reviews the 2016 Mazda CX-9 Sport AWD with specs, fuel consumption and verdict

The CX-9 Sport is the new entry trim level in the seven-seater line up, and is priced from $42,490 for the two-wheel drive version, or $6400 less than the CX-9 Touring that sits above it.

The CX-9 Azami is the new top trim level in the seven-seater line up.

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the all-new second-generation Mazda CX-9 seven-seat large SUV, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict, at its Austral

Joshua Dowling road tests and reviews the Mazda CX-9 with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch.

Toyota Kluger Grande and Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring go head-to-head in this comparative review. 

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?It's labelled an SUV, but it's really the four wheel drive you want, when you don't want a four wheel drive. CX-9 is big, seats seven and looks a hell of a lot more car-like than a four wheel drive (and drives more like a car too).Prices range from $44,525 for the front wheel drive Classic right up to $63,828 for the top of the range, all wheel drive Grand Touring model. The price includes a six speed automatic in all models. There's no manual.Take your pick. Perhaps the sizeable Toyota Kluger? But instead of SUV's I'd probably be looking at people movers the Chrysler Voyager or Kia Grand Carnival for instance. Both offer the same sort of utility, minus all-wheel drive which many people don't care about anyway.A 3.7-litre petrol V6 produces 204kW of power and 367Nm of torque, the latter from 4250 revs. The V6 is hooked up to a six-speed auto that allows you to change gears manually if desired.Performance is sharp for a vehicle this size. Hit the accelerator and it literally takes off. Sits high but the width helps mitigate much of the expected body roll.My wife is a hard marker when it comes to performance and doesn't like it unless a car responds instantly but no complaints from her with this one. Can tow a 2 tonne braked van or boat.The trade off for all this performance is fuel economy. Although it is rated at 11.2 litres/100km, it is going to use a lot more than this. Takes standard unleaded and has a 76-litre tank.Hardly. Not with a big petrol 3.7-litre V6. It gets 2.5 out of 5 from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide, with CO2 emissions of 261g/km. Can't understand why they don't offer this vehicle with a diesel?No problems here. With six airbags and a full complement of safety systems it scores a full five stars for safety in crash tests.At just over 5.1 metres in length and almost two metres wide, it's big and by virtue of its size fairly comfortable. The three-zone climate air helps keep everyone supplied with fresh air, even the little whingers down the back.The view from up here is generous and with sharp performance from the big V6 it is able to cut through the traffic with an agility that belies its size. You'll need a large garage or extra wide driveway however because it doesn't leave a lot left over. Luggage space with the third row in use is of course limited.Standard equipment on the entry level Classic includes Bluetooth, keyless entry, automatic lights and wipers, 18 inch alloys, a reversing camera and six speaker audio with controls on the steering wheel. All other models add larger 20 inch wheels, Bose audio and TomTom navigation with speed camera warnings.Maybe. We'd prefer a diesel. And here's the thing  there are plenty of diesel alternatives available like the excellent Hyundai Santa Fe.

A larger brood presents transport conundrums for the drivers of the house. The SUV craze can be at least partly blamed on those looking to transport more than a couple of rugrats - if your offspring numbers three or more and they have mates or grandparents who like hitching a ride, the options are largely limited to buses or bruiser SUVs.Mazda's CX range has slotted into the Australian psyche in growing numbers - particularly the likeable CX-5 turbodiesel - and the Japanese carmaker has updated its full-size CX-9.VALUEIf you don't yearn for the extra grip of all-wheel drive then the front-driver is a $4500 better proposition, not to mention a little lighter and a touch easier on the fuel. The Luxury model gets seating for seven, a touchscreen infotainment unit with a Bose sound system and TomTom satnav, USB and Bluetooth connection, tri-zone climate control with rear vents, leather trim, power-adjustable heated front seats, a leather-wrapped gearshifter and steering wheel (that's reach'n'rake adjustable) and a trip computer.There are also automatic headlights, a sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, power windows, power-adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, cruisem control, 20inch alloy wheels and a reversing camera.TECHNOLOGYMuch of the drivetrain is carryover from the old car but that's not all bad - there's 204kW of power, making it the most powerful Mazda on the books, grunt it needs to shift a two-tonne kerb weight. Torque sits at 367Nm at a high-ish 4250rpm, but Mazda says at least 90 per cent of that makes its presence felt between 2800rpm and 5800rpm.The engine has an aluminium block and head, with cast-in iron cylinder liners and variable valve timing, delivering the outputs to the front wheels via an Aisin six-speed auto and laying claim to an ADR fuel use figure of 11 litres per 100km. The beefy Mazda claims a two-tonne braked towing capacity - just shy of the Territory's 2300kg but on par with most of its opposition below.DESIGNA handsome machine on the road, the new family nose design and revamped tail seem to fit this large wagon better than some of its siblings. It's still a little non-descript on the flanks, compared with some of the company's all-new product, but if you don't want something truck-like or the stereotypical peoplemover box on wheels, this big kid-carter could suit.Inside it's black and red with a few trim bits to break up the monotony. A high centre tunnel console and wraparound front area doesn't convey and image of acreage, but it's comfortable and has some good storage nooks.Piling in the people isn't terribly difficult, although the lower-than-average roofline might catch the odd bonce. An adjustable middle row makes the proper third row useful for more than just tweens - it's a genuine seven seater although adults wouldn't want to dwell there on a major road trip. But a day trip isn't out of the realms and while 267 litres doesn't sound like much space, it's better than average for the segment.SAFETYThe top-spec AWD model gets a stack of cutting-edge active safety systems, but the Luxury model makes do with dual front, front-side and curtain airbags for all three rows as standard equipment and lap-sash seatbelts for all occupants.There's also a reversing camera (but no standard sensors), anti-lock brakes (with electronic brakeforce distribution), stability (with an anti- rollover function) and traction control and emergency braking assistance.DRIVINGAs conveyances go the Mazda breed has been responsible for some genuine driver's machines - this is not really one of them, but as family trucksters go it's one of the more capable. It's bigger than you first think, with the Mazda family look not unpleasant on the eye for most. The cabin has enough space for most family duties, with the high centre console keeping the driver and front passenger snugly separated.Vision is decent looking forward although the pillars are a little broad and need to be looked around, not something exclusive to the model or the breed, but you need to take it into account at junctions. Underway, the CX-9 is propelled smoothly and quietly but the petrol V6 - there's more than enough grunt for most duties but when delivered through the front wheels alone it can elicit a bit of steering wheel movement, even at speed.It's not enough to warrant concern but it does show the big peoplemover has ample grunt when required - but be prepared for fuel economy in the high teens if you're spending most of the time in the suburbs in this two-tonne wagon. If you spend anytime on dirt roads then AWD would be mandatory, as the V6 will overpower the front wheels and spark the electronic nursemaids into action.The TomTom satnav screen is clear and informative in terms of the map screen but it's a little convoluted to use, however the quantity and quality of sound from the 10-speaker Bose gear helps offset any frustrations there - once the school run is done you can all the mirrors pulsing in unison. You become a little conscious of the girth when stopping or cornering, but it's by no means an unwieldy machine given its origins. It sits handsomely on 20in wheels and 50-profile tyres, a feature which sharpens the ride up a touch but not enough to warrant complaint from the brood. Cargo room of 267 litres when all seven seats are occupied is above average for the segment, but what's not as common is a third row that can have adults in them, particularly given the adjustment available for the middle bench.Complaints are few - a nod to the US is a foot-operated parking brake, which is not ideal at the best of times and even worse when in need of adjustment. Can we have an electric one in the console please?VERDICTIf you're not interested in trucky SUVs but don't want to to look like you've taken over school bus driving duties, it's something like the CX-9 that will need to call your driveway home. There are less stylish ways to cart a houseful of kids, but from a dynamics viewpoint I wouldn't need much convincing to opt for the AWD, and a whizz-bang Skyactiv diesel option would take care of the painful thirst.Mazda CX-9 LuxuryPrice: from $52,980Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmResale:  56 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 10,000km/6 monthsSafety rating: not testedSpare: space-saverEngine: 3.8-litre V6, 204kW/367NmTransmission: 6-speed auto; FWDBody: 5.1m (L); 1.9m (w); 1.7m (h)Weight: 1966kgThirst: 11L/100km, on test 17.9; tank 76 litres; 257g/km CO2 

Prices for the CX-9 range start from $44,525 for the entry level Classic spec.The infotainment system in the big Mazda SUV has been upgraded and now features audio, navigation and speech-recognition systems in what Mazda calls it’s HMI (Human Machine Interface).The big Mazda CX-9 has a relatively old-fashioned V6 petrol engine displacing 3.7 litres. Changes to the engine and its ancillaries in this facelifted model have been made in an attempt to  reduce its fuel consumption. It’s no longer the gas guzzler that it was in its early days, but the upgraded the model still likes a drink.On quiet country roads and motorways you may be able to get its consumption down to 10 to 12 litres per hundred kilometres. Around town expect the engine to be operating in the 12 to 15 litre range. These fuel figures are not good, but Mazda is presumably working on its fuel saving SkyActiv technology for the V6 engine and that will hopefully make the CX-9 kinder to the air we all breathe.The ancestors of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were 4WDs and back in the olden days the first 4WDs were nothing but trucks. Though things have changed since then, most SUVs tend to have relatively conservative styling. Styling that’s aimed not to offend conservative truck buyers.Mazda, always a very innovative company, has decided to break the old mould – resulting in SUVs that have moved completely away from their distant ancestors. It began with the Mazda CX-5 with its big grille and flowing lines. Now we see the subject of this week’s road test, the Mazda CX-9. Though the stylists were faced with the difficult job of taking an someone plain vehicle and giving it an all-new character, they have done their work well.Of course, most SUVs are bought as people movers, not SUVs and certainly not 4WDs, and these buyers can be conservative in their own right.Whether these people will go for the big new-look Mazda or one of its conservative looking competitors is a question that’s yet to be answered, but we certainly got plenty of looks during our week of living with a CX-9.There's room for seven adults without them being overly cramped, though four adults and three children is more realistic. The centre set of seats can slide back and forward to let you vary the amount of legroom available in this seat and the third row seats. With the centre seat in its rearmost position there's almost limo-like legroom.The third row of seats fold flat very simply to give a useful increase in luggage space. Even with all seven seats in use there's still room for a couple of fair-sized suitcases or similar behind them.Mazda Australia has been very strong on safety for many years, so the CX-9 has had electronic stability control and rollover protection to help prevent crashes since its introduction downunder in 2007.The list of safety features has been greatly expanded, particularly in the crash avoidance field. Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and High Beam Control (HBC) anticipate danger and help the driver avoid it. Not all safety systems are sold in every grade so it’s best to talk about them with your favourite Mazda dealer.Suspension and steering haven’t been altered in the new model. Though Australian imports have more dynamic settings than the American models, the big Mazda CX-9 is relatively soft and has very light steering. Keen drivers need not apply.Mazda CX-9 can certainly be used in light-duty running on forest trails, perhaps even at the beach. We did quite a few kilometres running on dirt road and found the suspension did an excellent job of cushioning shocks.The big Mazda has a good turning circle for its class and this is a real bonus when it comes to the reality of squeezing it into a tight parking space in an underground parking station. Our test vehicle didn’t have parking ‘beepers’ but did have a reversing camera.