Mazda’s 2020 CX-9 crossover gets captain’s chairs, hands-free liftgate
Mazda’s three-row CX-9 midsize crossover, now in its second generation, has a few updates for 2020, including optional dual captain’s chairs for the middle row and an available hands-free power rear liftgate.
Prices begin at $33,890 (plus $1,100 freight) for the base Sport model with front-wheel drive, or $35,790 with all-wheel drive. They range as high as $46,215 for the Signature model, our test vehicle, which comes only with all-wheel drive.
In between are the Touring ($35,710, front drive; $37,610, all-wheel drive) and Grand Touring ($41,550, front drive; $43,450, all-wheel drive), with each successive model building on the features of the previous trim level.
The new hands-free power liftgate is standard on Grand Touring and Signature versions.
Also for 2020, performance has been enhanced. The turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5T engine that comes on all CX-9 models is now rated at 250 horsepower and 320 foot-pounds of torque when using premium (93 octane) gasoline or 227 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds when using regular (87 octane).
This engine is connected to a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission. Mazda’s predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive is standard on the Signature model but available on all other trim levels for an additional $1,900.
With the i-Activ all-wheel drive, the 2020 CX-9 is the first Mazda to feature the new off-road traction-assist feature that helps maintain traction automatically on uneven surfaces. G-Vectoring Control Plus is also standard for 2020 to enhance steering response.
Mazda says the seven-passenger CX-9 is aimed at young couples and modern families, but also is meant for older emptynesters who pursue active lifestyles.
The base Sport model for 2020 has several new standard features, including heated front cloth seats, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, Gray Metallic 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, heated outside mirrors, and automatic headlights and high beams.
Mazda’s i-Activsense safety features are now standard, and include Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with pedestrian detection, Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning, Lane-Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Also standard are a seven-inch Mazda Connect infotainment screen, LED headlights and taillights, one-touch front and rear power windows, rear privacy glass, three-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio pairing, rearview camera, keyless entry and pushbutton start.
Touring models gets standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather seats, power-adjustable passenger seats, power liftgate with adjustable height, a second-row center armrest with storage, cupholders and two USB charging ports, and a new nineinch color touch screen.
Other new Touring features include Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System with next generation key fob, and second-row power slide-and-tilt seat.
A Touring Premium Package ($2,100) adds two new USB charging ports in the third row, a power moon roof, a Bose premium 12-speaker audio system, SiriusXM with a three-month trial subscription, LED fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, and second-row retractable sunshades.
With the Grand Touring, added features include two third-row USB charging ports and 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels with Brilliant Silver Finish. Carrying over are the standard 360-degree camera system, Active Driving Display with Traffic Sign Recognition, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors, power moon roof, LED door-pocket lights, LED front door handle and switch lights, Adaptive Front-lighting System, chrome exterior accents, satin-chrome roof rails, wiper de-icers, overhead front center console illumination, and front and rear parking sensors.
With our tester’s new second-row captain’s chairs came two USB charging ports and cupholders integrated into backside of the front center console. It also included a center console similar to the front one, with interior storage.
Signature models also come with a choice of Deep Chestnut or Parchment Nappa leather seats to go along with the standard Santos Rosewood interior trim. There is also a new dark silver wheel finish unique to the CX-9 Signature,
For the exterior there is a new Soul Red Crystal premium exterior paint ($959 extra), which was included on our tester. We had the parchment leather interior. Our vehicle also came with a hand-stitched, leatherwrapped “Chidori” steering wheel, rear exterior badging, LED grille accent lighting, and supplemental interior lighting around the transmission shifter.
The CX-9 is one of four crossovers in the 2020 Mazda lineup. It competes directly with the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Palisade,
Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent, Chevrolet Traverse, Volkswagen Atlas, Volvo XC-90, Acura MDX, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Ford Flex and Dodge Durango.
Mazda’s other crossovers are the allnew subcompact, five-passenger CX-30; the compact, five-passenger CX-5, whose competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V; and the CX-3 subcompact, slightly smaller than the CX-30, which competes with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona, Ford EcoSport, Nissan Kicks, and Buick Encore, and others.
That’s unfortunate, because it’s worth considering in the crowded midsize/large crossover field. It combines large measures of style and performance into a package that not only has great curb appeal, but also is quite fun to drive.
CX-9 features a premium interior, a Mazda-style fun driving experience, and the brand’s signature “KODO — Soul of Motion” exterior design.
Although the newest CX-9 continues to offer a six-speed automatic as before, it’s an updated gearbox with a sport driving mode that pairs well with the turbo engine. Most competitors are going with transmissions that have eight, nine or 10 gears, however.
There was plenty of power from this engine, thanks to the turbocharger and the impressive torque, which gave the vehicle a sporty feel. The transmission shifted smoothly, and there was little or no turbo lag during hard acceleration.
Estimated fuel economy using either gasoline grade is 22 mpg city/28 highway/25 combined with front-wheel-drive, and 20/26/23 with all-wheel drive. On our AWD tester, we averaged about 23.5 mpg during our week, with a mix of about 60 percent highway driving, and the rest on city streets or country roads.
The i-Activ all-wheel drive has 27 sensors to measure conditions more than 200 times per second to determine how to allocate power to each wheel to minimize wheel slip. But it is not intended for serious off-road use, as it does not have low-range gearing.
Other safety features included electronic stability and roll control with traction control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, front seat-mounted side air bags, and roofmounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows. Our tester also had trailer stability assist. But trailer towing is limited to 3,500 pounds.
We had the awesome 12-speaker Bose premium audio and the navigation system, which had 2-D and 3-D modes. It was easy to program and had large type for easier reading on the go.
CX-9’s interior is typical of Mazda products, with great attention to detail and lots of creature comforts. The three-zone automatic climate control was efficient in keeping front and middle-row passengers comfortable.