MAZDA CX-9 AZAMI

Aah the serenity. Not typically something you would expect behind the wheel of a seven-seater.

Even when at capacity, the family load-lugger is the antipodes of noisy.

Somehow the hushed ride of the Mazda CX-9 makes the worries of the world wash away. Cherub calls from the rear two rows quickly jolt you back to reality, but this seven-seater excels as an easy-to-drive chariot without traditional large SUV compromises.

Last August the CX-9 range was updated — an interesting time to tweak the range barely 12 months after the all-new model being launched. To be truthful, there wasn’t much wrong with the CX-9 launched in July 2016, and the updates simply made a good car better.

There were a few issues with the previous iteration — primarily a thirsty petrol engine saw average fuel use regularly climb beyond 16 litres per 100km — yet this 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is a mighty strong unit without requiring constant trips to the bowser.

Basic equipment includes leather seat trim with both front pews having power adjustment, Bose audio operated through an eight-inch colour screen, keyless entry, tri zone climate control, and the best safety kit Mazda has.

On the road, and it feels in the realm of high-end European luxury marques, the CX-9 is a pleasure to steer.

Mazda added G-vectoring Control to the range as part of the update — that’s marketing speak for functionality which electronically shifts the power load between front and rear wheels to improve cornering feel. Most drivers won’t feel the difference, and that’s the point, it all happens within milliseconds for an improved experience.