Odd man out
The 2018 Mazda CX-9 is the sports car of the big crossovers
The Mazda CX-9 is the odd man out of the crossover-ute crowd.
It looks a little too aggressive, and although it has roughly the same space as any other threerow crossover, when you point it out to those who might actually buy one of these vehicles they tend to feel it’s too small.
That is actually an optical illusion, because the lines of the CX-9 focus on the proportion and flow to the rear of the car. Those lines aren’t designed to make the vehicle look bulky and truck-like, as opposed to most of the other big crossovers. So, our eyes look at the Mazda and our brain says, “too small.”
The solution? Get inside. There’s plenty of space, and it is well laid-out.
The Mazda CX-9 has 71.2cu. ft. of overall cargo capacity with everything folded down. That isn’t a lot compared to most competitors, but its more than enough to do a crossover’s daily duty. With all three rows up, there’s just 14.4-cu. ft. and if just the rear seat is folded, then there’s 38.2-cu. ft.
The outside of the CX-9 also doesn’t look like the standard family three-rower. There is a bit of modern edginess to the design elements. I like that every model comes with a power liftgate. While this may not be considered to be a crossover users highest priority when purchasing their car, it is something they will wonder how they did without prior to having one.
The cabin also looks different when compared to other family crossovers. Its interior lines create a tie to the Mazda family’s looks. It also is nicely upscale, with real materials used, and the craftsmanship is equal to the design. While there is plastic used, it is high-quality, and the top-of-the-line Signature
actually has real wood, metal, and leather.
Interior lines are sharp, and the instrument panel grows aggressively out of the dashboard. Seats are a little more laterally supportive than is common in these cars – or even necessary. But it creates the vision of something other than a people-hauler half filled with empty drink cartons and dirty athletic gear.
Mazda is fine with that. It isn’t a company that is every going to come in first place in overall segment sales. Okay, except for their sports car, which actually is the small-roadster gold standard. Mazda as a company is comfortable in almost every segment in which it competes with being the one that is a bit different and appeals to those who hear a different drummer in their lives.
Having said all that, functionally the capabilities are about the same as its competitors with one exception. It handles better than anything else that’s designed to carry lots of little people and their accouterments. In fact, it is actually fun to drive, even on the twisty bits.
The CX-9 stays relatively flat while cornering, and the suspension and steering are seemingly more responsive than this Mazda’s competitors, such as the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and the Honda Pilot. Brakes are good without being aggressive and the six-speed transmission seems to pay attention to what’s happening underneath it.
All CX-9 trim levels are powered by the same engine. This 2.5-liter turbocharged engine generates 227-hp and 310-lb.ft. of peak torque. EPA numbers are 22-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway with the standard front-wheel-drive. That drops to 20-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway for all-wheel drive models. This isn’t a lot for a vehicle this size, unless you are comfortable driving a turbo and keep your foot in it. The power in a turbo engine comes the same place an engine makes maximum horsepower – at the top of the rev counter.
So, if you are one of those who feels like your car’s engine is going to blow up if you get the engine over that “number three” on that big dial across from the speedometer, then you may feel the engine’s a bit weak. When properly equipped, the CX-9 can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
It has enough power, but not a lot to spare. But get used to it, because this is what the future is going to be. Engines are going to be smaller and generate less power, because that’s what the regulations require and there is no other way to do it.
The CX-9 prices run from $32,130 for the FWD base model, with all-wheel drive adding about $1800 top the price of all the models except the Signature, on which it is standard. That model tops out the line at $44,315.