.
Plenty of three row crossovers can haul your family
around. The main players being Chevy Traverse,
Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, and Toyota Highlander.
And then there's the all-new Mazda CX-9 which
is pretty stylish. There are luxury brands
that lack this kind of fashion sense.
The second generation here is just over an inch
shorter than the first gen. And if you recall,
and it came out in 2006. And time in the
automotive world is a little like dog years.
Mazda is a small car company compared to, well,
pretty much everyone but my goodness they make
up for it with passion. Let's play "guess the price".
Some hints- LED headlights and a backup camera
are standard. This top-shelf Signature model
wanders into luxury territory with real aluminum
trim and Rosewood plucked from a Japanese guitar
maker. There's navigation, adaptive cruse control,
auto braking with pedestrian detection, and
special paint you have to see to appreciate.
All this and more for... $45,215.
Seems like it should cost more.
The 9er will get the kids to play dates quick
enough. 0-to-60 miles an hour easily happens
in under 8 seconds. The motivation might
surprise, it's a 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
Okay, it's a turbo with unique dynamic pressure
technology. There's just one engine but you ]
choose the horsepower On standard grade gas
it makes 227. Spring for 93 octane premium
it rises to 250. Torque stays the same at 310
pound-feet. The transmission is a 6-speed
with manual mode but no paddle shifters.
Kind of a surprise. This one is running with all-wheel drive.
The oomph happens low in the power band where
most drivers will want it. It does sort of
run out of breath higher in the rev range
and I've got to say, I do kind of miss the sound of a V6.
Look closely at the head up display, it
visually signals lane departure while
the steering wheel discreetly vibrates.
Sport mode perceptively remaps throttle
and transmission response. Mazda has positioned
itself as the working man's BMW,
corners happen without drama.
Nicely buttoned down, CX-9 is definitely
the driver's choice when it comes to three
row crossovers. Unless you want to step it
up a bit price wise, and move into a BMW X5.
Or Audi Q7. Equipped with AWD, only the
significantly more expensive Toyota Highlander
Hybrid gets you farther on a gallon of
gas in this class. I averaged 22 m.p.g..
Historically, Mazdas have had issues with road noise.
Thicker gauge metal in the floor pan and some
50 pounds of sound insulation take care of that.
And even with all of that, on average
CX-9 is some 240 pounds lighter now.
While not a true off roader the CX-9 will
handle nearly everything most families would
throw at it. Mazda's all-wheel drive system is
called i-ACTIV. Sensors look at 27 different
factors and analyze it 200 times per second to
predict conditions on slippery and rainy road.
It also adjusts power distribution in dry
conditions to limit understeer, sending 50
percent of the power to the rear tires in some cases.
Comfortable for road trips, you'll always
enjoy the view since this is what you see
from behind the wheel. Friends will think
you got a raise. The user interface is
simple to use with a choice of this controller
or the direct method.
These chairs are heated but a venting
feature is not offered. Neither is a
panoramic roof, kick to open tailgate,
heated steering wheel and warmth for
the mid-row cushions if those are deal
breakers. Row number two is adjustable
enough in two sections so passengers in
back won't be gnawing on their knees.
Small kids can get themselves into the
way back, and a car seat can be left in
place while doing it too. A climate zone
and USB ports will keep passengers chill.
A lot buyers choose three row crossovers
just in case they need this space, you know,
kind of an insurance policy. That description
fits CX-9 perfectly, two adults will be
okay back here for short distances and
the driver won't feel like they're
behind the wheel of a school bus.
\Keep in mind this is not the biggest
three-row crossover on the market.
You won't get much luggage in with all seats occupied,
that's not unusual. Small stuff can be kept out
site and it's easy to drop the spit seat backs.
FYI, the champ in this segment is Chevy Traverse
at 19 packs. The Mazda? A dozen.
So, lets review. The price is right starting at
$32,420 with front-wheel drive. Looks great
outside and in. Drives like a champ. Fuel efficient too.
Some will want more space for their families,
and there are features not offered.
But the CX-9 is true to Mazda's mission,
delivering zoom-zoom with family room.
FYI, the grille frame on the Signature model
is lit with LEDs which looks good, I just
forgot to shoot it properly. I would fire the
photog but, then, I would be out of a job.
I suggest reading up on Mazda's turbo technology.
It's a dry thing to talk about in a video.
Basically, the Dynamic Pressure Turbo as it's
called can vary the degree of exhaust pulsation
depending on engine speed, routing exhaust
to the turbine through smaller ports at low
rpm. They say it's like putting your thumb
on a garden hose, for stronger pressure and
quick spool-up. Mazda claims this provides
some 25-percent quicker response than twin-scroll
turbos at engine revs under 1,500 rpm.
I can tell you it's very drivable.
There you go gang, that's my opinion of the
second generation Mazda CX-9.
And you have to remember, Mazda is a tiny
little car company, they are hardly
Toyota or General Motors so it makes it all the
more impressive.
That's Driven I'm Tom Voelk.