Mazda Reviews

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.

The table has turned. Now it's not your masculinity under question for owning a large car, but your sanity. Simply, small cars work. They are quick, comfortable, well equipped, economical on fuel and ownership costs plus fit into small parking bays or tuck neatly into peak-hour traffic queues.They are also relatively inexpensive - the cheapest is a Chery J1 at $9990 drive away - and there's about 30 different car models and 280 distinct versions to choose from. More importantly, budget motoring means there are thousands of near-new used small cars on the market.Pick your next pre-owned car carefully and it's likely you'd find one that retains a portion of the new-car warranty. I realise that many small-car buyers may look at features and paint colour before safety ratings and reliability.But even if the buyer has few aspirations to venture outside the city perimeter, it's important to keep safety, reliability, comfort and durability as part of the purchase criteria. Consider also factory-fit Bluetooth and audio streaming.Hands-free telephone calls and portable and interactive music are pivotal to young car owners and increasingly to the people who end up buying your car.Final tips: Ensure the car has been serviced to the manufacturer's requirements (it's stamped in the service book that should be in the glovebox - if it's not there, neither should you. - Bent or buckled number plates indicate a prang. - Tyre tread worn on the edge or in the centre indicates the car needs a wheel alignment (or may have been in an accident). - Always get the car checked out.THE CARS: We've selected three small cars that come up trumps as used cars after starting life as sensible new car choices. Note that these are examples and variations will occur given the car's location, service and driving condition, distance travelled and general body and mechanical condition.1. 2010 Toyota Corolla AscentPrice: $16,990Odometer: 35,266Engine: 1.8L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.7L/100Carsguide says, “second series of the Z-code Corolla that started in 2000 just improves year after year. It's solid, dependable (no camshaft belt to break), inexpensive to own and fuel, roomy and holds its value. Capped service can save money but Corolla still has a twice-yearly maintenance schedule. In a five and six-speed auto world, the Corolla's four-speed auto is ordinary. But it's strong and reliable. This car is in line with average annual driving distances.” 2.  2010 Mazda3 MaxxPrice: $16,990Odometer: 107,445Engine: 2L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed automaticThirst: 8.2L/100Carsguide says, “well equipped version of Australia's most popular car appears to have covered a big distance given its age. That may be due to use as a country car and hence has resulted in a small price concession over a similar model with a lower mileage. Mazda's 3 is a very good all-round car with excellent safety standards and generally a nice ride, though cabin noise is more intrusive than most rival cars. Twice yearly servicing needed and no capped service program means it may be a bit more expensive to maintain that, say, a Corolla.” 3.  2010 Hyundai i30 SLXPrice: $14,990Odometer: 87,412|Engine: 2L 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.6L/100Carsguide says, “the one that won Carsguide's Car of the Year for 2010 is a smart buy, even two years down the track. It retains about three years of its five-year warranty. As a driving machine, the i30 is simple, secure and fuss-free. It's relatively economical but not as sprightly as the Mazda3 that has a similar engine. Mileage is a bit high and car may be due for a new camshaft belt. But it looks good with 16-inch alloy wheels, has a high five-star safety rating and a comfortable cabin.” 

Confession time, I am an MX-5 owner, a 2003 NB model which is pretty old but gives me a good baseline from which to assess the new model.This is a car that has sold nearly a million units since introduction 24 years ago making it the best selling sports car in history. I didn't need to be asked twice to take the new NC Series 3 Roadster Sport for a test drive.Surprisingly similar to my old MX-5 . . . plus 10-15 per cent but the drive feel is the same. It has a bit more go, a bit better handling and slightly better brakes, sounds better thanks to the exhaust note generator and is a lot more rigid in the chassis with no scuttle shake, roof on or off. At around $50 grand, it would need to be (a lot) better.This will be the last version of the NC as the new MX-5 due within the next 18 months will be a collaborative effort between Mazda and Alfa. Hopefully, Mazda will prevail in the gestation process to retain all the essential elements that go into what an MX-5 is, starting with rear wheel drive, the powertrain chassis and double wishbone suspension.But this "Last of the Mohicans" pure Mazda model is already showing signs of dilution with the disappearance (in Australia) of a rag-top version moving to all hard top roadster variants starting at $47,280. Mind you, they are following market demands which seems to prefer a folding hard top over the vinyl option. That would be price-related as the car is now shopped at a higher, more luxury conscious level than before.It will also be shopped against the new Toyota 86 and Sooby BRZ against which it loses out big time on price and performance. Still offers a roofless driving experience though and Mazda build quality. They have tweaked the engine computer to give better throttle response and fitted a stronger brake booster to give better braking as well as altered the face and some body hardware. It's essentially the same as the first NC model.All models get Bose audio, aircon, power mirrors and windows (without delayed closing), multiple wheel controls and cruise.Power comes from a 2.0-litre, petrol four-pot engine with variable valve timing (SVT) but no direct injection. It's good for 118kW/188Nm output both peaking at mid to high revs. The engine redlines at 7200rpm. Six-speed manual and auto transmissions are available though why you'd buy an auto MX-5 is unfathomable.A miniscule amount of weight has been pared off but the car still weighs too much at 1167kg, 100kg more than my old NB. I suppose the additional luxury kit would account for a bit as well as the fast operating roof folding mechanism. The Roadster Sport I drove scored leather-clad Recaros and gorgeous forged BBS alloys.Safety is adequately addressed with four air bags, high strength steel chassis stability control and other features.The drive is exciting. It has plenty of get up and spins out willingly to redline. Gear changes are aided by the short throw change mechanism and closely spaced ratios. The limited slip diff' gives you more drive out of corners but the stability control system is too pessimistic activating too early on fast corners to upset the car's composure (and your drive experience). Can be turned off though.Dual mode Sport and Comfort suspension would be an improvement because the standard setting is a bit soft. Couldn't cost that much. It steers sharply and has brilliant brakes, no complaints there. The chassis is much more rigid than my old MX-5. No satnav, only OK audio (it needs a subwoofer), no delay window close function, and too many hard interior surfaces detract from the package.

Mazda has taken the wraps off a new look CX-9. But those hoping for a diesel version will be disappointed. It does however get some extra goodies and is the second Mazda to feature its range of active safety systems, although they remain optional.Prices range from $44,525 up to $63,828 for the top of the range Grand Touring model, $100 more than before in the case of the entry model but for a better equipped vehicle. It's available in front wheel and all-wheel drive and comes in three different grades: Classic, Luxury and the top of the range Grand Touring.All CX-9s get three-zone climate control air-conditioning, alloy wheels, cruise control and power windows and mirrors. An MP3/WMA compatible CD player is operated through a display which includes a reversing camera with rear parking guidelines. The range topping Grand Touring model adds Bi-Xenon headlamps, a remote operated power tailgate, as well as keyless entry and engine start.The upgraded infotainment system features the latest audio, navigation and speech-recognition systems based on an intuitive HMI (Human Machine Interface) and Bluetooth comes as standard across the entire range. A USB connector has been added to the audio system and the Bluetooth profile has been upgraded and allows the user to repeat tracks, shuffle tracks, and select folders via the steering wheel controls.The classy seven seater is powered by the same thirsty 3.7-litre petrol V6 that powers the current model. The 3.7-litre V6 pumps out 204kW of power at 6250 revs and 367Nm of torque at 4250 revs. It's hooked up to a six-speed auto and goes like a jet, delivering between 11.0 and 11.2 litres/100km depending on model (all wheel drive is a little thirstier).'i-ACTIVSENSE' - active what? Active safety systems that go looking for trouble before it finds you. They include Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Forward Obstruction Warning (FOW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and High Beam Control (HBC)-- all of which anticipate danger and help the driver avoid it. Unfortunately, this suite of safety systems is available only with the top of the range model.Not rated by ANCAP, but comes with a full complement of safety gear including six airbags (offering protection for all three rows), dynamic stability control, anti-lock braking system, emergency brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, roll stability control and a reversing camera.Within the front grille, the new signature wing is adopted, LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) with a halo ring light guide around the head lamp are added to selected models, and rear combination lamps incorporating the new design signature.

Had the new Mazda 6 been here a little earlier, we feel sure it would have taken every Car Of The Year accolade - it's that good.

Where there’s a will there’s a way and Mazda’s engineers have weighed in with one of the most willing diesel engines this side of a German badge.

If Mazda ever pulled the plug on the MX-5 there'd be a riot. Born over 20 years ago, the two-seat sports car is a fully fledged motoring icon that has almost universal appeal the go-to car for blokes in mid-life crisis. Mazda continues to refine the compact, front-engined, rear-drive concept, with a new look and subtle changes to the way the car drives but the fact remains the MX-5 is not exactly cheap motoring anymore.What's more, it is going to come under intense pressure from the likes of Toyota's new 86. Although the 86 is not available without a lid yet, the two cars share the same appeal but importantly the Toyota/Subaru is significantly cheaper.MX- comes two grades, Roadster Coupe and the Roadster Coupe Sports. It's available with a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission, with prices starting at $47,280.The new MX-5 represents the second time the third generation model has been facelifed. A newly designed front bumper is designed to give the MX-5 a more aggressive look, with a larger, 47mm deeper front grille that offers a greater sense of depth. The corners of the front bumper flare out further, reducing the amount of air that strikes the front tires.Shaping of the outer edges along the front and the angles of the sides of the front fog lamp bezels has also reduced air resistance. The front license plate bracket is positioned entirely within the area of the front grille, creating a cleaner, more streamlined expression. Inside the trim has been changed from matte dark silver to a glossy dark grey to impart a depth of colour with shine, to create an ambience of higher quality and sportiness.Powered by the same 2.0-litre four cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine that delivers 118kW of power at 7000 revs and 188Nm of torque at 5000 revs. Maximum power is available slightly lower in the rev range with the auto. The manual features a limited slip rear differential. Both models deliver claimed fuel economy of 8.1 litres/100km from the 50-litre tank using Premium 95 unleaded or better. Bose and Mazda worked together to develop a refined premium audio system exclusively for the MX-5. It uses seven speakers, digital sound processing and six equaliser channels. Almost every speaker is now addressed by an individual equaliser channel which allows very precise sound tuning.Mazda has sought to make the car more enjoyable to drive, with revised accelerator and brake characteristics. Improved brake and accelerator control characteristics deliver smooth transition from deceleration to acceleration, and a linear feel to the acceleration.Adjustment to the throttle management program in manual models makes the MX-5 more responsive when accelerating out of corners, while updates to the brake booster make it easier to control the front and rear load distribution improving braking ability all round.

An interested group of Australian motoring journalists attended the global debut of the latest Mazda CX-9 SUV at the 2012 Sydney motor show. Now the big wagon is on sale here and we have just enjoyed a great day’s driving in near perfect weather on several hundred kilometres on some scenic roads behind Melbourne.Such has been the success of Mazda downunder that the company’s Japanese head office gave Australia the honour of being the first to see the heavily facelifted new model. This is a real honour as there’s little doubt that importers and Mazda dealers in many other countries put up their hands to get first glimpse of the big SUV / people mover.The infotainment system in the big Mazda SUV has been upgraded and now features the latest audio, navigation and speech-recognition systems in what Mazda calls it’s HMI (Human Machine Interface).Mazda CX-9 has been upgraded inside and out and carries minor refinements to the engine and its ancillaries that are said to have reduced its fuel consumption. However, while it’s no longer the gas guzzler that it was in its early days the new model is still no fuel sipper. In some relatively modest driving on quiet country road, albeit with plenty of hills to climb, the 3.7-litre V6 was typically was using petrol in the range of 12 to 14 litres per hundred kilometres.The biggest feature of the latest version of the Mazda CX-9 is the huge grille that gives it a standout appearance in a market segment that is dominated by sensible looking people movers disguised as SUVs. 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 the seats in use there's still space for a couple of fair-sized suitcases.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 that - as well as the luxury items on offer - with your nearest Mazda dealer.Mazda CX-9 can certainly be used in light-duty running on forest trails, perhaps even at the beach, but almost all owners will use it as a spacious people mover. We did quite a few kilometres running on dirt road and found the suspension did an excellent job of cushioning shocks and providing a comfortable, quiet ride.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. Which is no bad thing as this SUV is aimed at the sensible person who is much more interested in comfortable travel for the family than in storming around bends at breakneck speed.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.

It's hard to believe given its strong recent performance that Mazda was struggling to survive in the Australian market just a few years ago. That was before a remarkable rebirth following the launch of a whole new range of models and a catchy "Zoom Zoom" theme.NEWIn the last 10 years or so we have seen the 3 become one of the most popular cars on the local market and other models, such as the 2, also grow in market acceptance. The 2 launched here in 2002 and won over the small car crowd with its style, quality and economy.An upgrade in 2005 added to its appeal, and a new model in 2007 cemented its place on the pop charts. Initially launched as a five-door hatch, a three-door hatch was added in 2008, but that was replaced in 2010 by a four-door sedan. Three models made up the offering, starting with the Neo as the base model, then the sporty Maxx and the range-topping Genki.Mazda optimised the cabin to make it as roomy, and as comfortable as possible given the 2's modest exterior dimensions.  With its upright seating positions and high roofline it could accommodate four adults in acceptable comfort.There was plenty of scope for moving the front seats back and forth to find a comfortable position for the driver and front seat passenger, and the rear seat occupants could also adjust their seat fore and aft as well as being able to adjust the rake. The boot is small, but given the size of the 2 it still holds a reasonable amount of gear.The performance is quite strong across all situations with its 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine showing plenty of pulling power and response across a broad range of engine speeds. Buyers could choose between a four-speed auto and a five-speed manual.The manual was the one to go for if you wanted the best get up and go, but the auto was the best overall choice even if it dulled the performance a little. The 2005 upgrade brought manual shifting to the auto, which made it a much more attractive option.On the road the 2 was highly rated for its ride and handling. Its roadholding and cornering were exemplary and the ride was firm but comfortable. The new model in 2007 brought bolder lines that made the 2 more appealing, the only downside being the slightly restricted rear vision with the revised beltline.NOWThe low complaint rate at Carsguide is an indicator that Mazda has got it pretty right with its new generation models. It's a solidly built car with a sound mechanical package and little seems to go wrong with it, at least of a serious nature.That's a good starting point, but that's all it ism as each cars needs to be thoroughly inspected before any money changes hands. The 2 is still relatively young, the earliest cars have only done 150,000 km or so, and later ones have yet to reach 50,000 km, but it's important to check the service history of any car under consideration.Oil changes are scheduled for every 10,000 km and it's vital that this routine is kept up. For some owners, the reliability of the 2 is an invitation to skip services and rely on the next owner to catch up. It doesn't work that way; only buy a car with a service history that stacks up.SMITHY SAYSIt's a keeper and you can buy with confidence. 4 stars.Mazda 2 2002-2011Price new: $6500 to $20,000Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder, 82 kW/141 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed manual, FWDEconomy: 7.0 L/100 kmBody: 3-door hatch, 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchVariants: Neo, Maxx, GenkiSafety: 4-star ANCAP  

Mazda 6 has grown ever larger with each new model and is now similar in size to Toyota Camry and its six-cylinder brother the Aurion.