Mazda CX-9/Signature a beautiful thing

affluence.

“Reasonable” means you don’t have to spend top dollar to get CX-9 quality by buying a Signature edition model. The CX-9 starts at $32,150 US. Trim levels include Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature.

Front-wheel and all-wheeldrive models are available. It is likable in all respects. It is attractive, with its widemouthed grille and finely sculpted rear end outside, and tasteful chrome pieces where they should be. The interior is simply beautiful.

The 2018 CX-9 is a front-engine, fourdoor sport-utility vehicle. It is available in front-wheel or allwheel-drive depending on the model chosen. An automatically operated rear hatch is available.

It comes with a 2.5-litre, inline four-cylinder, 16-valve gasoline engine with variable valve timing (227 horsepower, 310 pound-feet of torque). The engine is attached to a six-speed automatic transmission that also can be operated manually.

Seating is for up to seven people with all three seating rows raised. Cargo capacity with all three seats up is 14.4 cubic feet. The fuel tank (Signature trim) holds 19.5 gallons of gasoline. Regular grade is okay.

Mileage is awful. There’s no other way to put it. I averaged 12.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 11.2 litres per 100 km on the highway. I am glad this one uses regular-grade fuel.

Standard equipment includes ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes; fourwheel anti-lock braking system; emergency braking; blind-spot and lane-departure warning; stability and traction control; side and head air bags; postand pre-collision safety systems; and automatic high-beam headlamps.

The 2018 Mazda CX-9 starts at $32,150 US (Sport), but can reach past $44,000 US (Signature) depending on trim level and options.

The best value probably is the Touring with all-wheel-drive.