2023 MAZDA CX-9 REVIEW

For those in the market for a 3 row family vehicle, there are many choices available.  Today, we drove the sporty Mazda CX9 with all-wheel drive and the Touring Plus package.

First of all, the looks are quite stylish and stand out in the sea of SUVs out there.  The grille is understated and black which complements the black 20 inch wheels that come on this level trim.  It has an athletic and taut look and caters to those who would prefer a sports car, but have a family to think about.   The windshield is huge and it allows for great visibility from behind the wheel. 

The doors are wide and allow easy entry into the very nicely appointed black leather interior.  The look is timeless and would not look out of place in a higher end European vehicle.    A center mounted screen houses Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Satellite radio and a center knob controls it all.   Importantly, it does have an actual knob for the volume as well as steering wheel controls.  The center screen is nicely sized without looking like an iPad glued onto the dash like other manufacturers are doing these days.  The Touring Plus package adds ventilated seats to the option list which is great for warm summer days.  Lumbar support and 4 way adjustable seats are firm, but supportive for the driver and passenger.  

The CX9 uses a 4 cylinder turbo motor as its only option.  The motor is smooth and adequate and I never felt like it was lacking for power.  The ride is comfortable and on back road driving roads felt supple and the Mazda drove like a smaller SUV.  I would have wished for paddle shifters to add to the sporty feel of the drive, but for family duties, many won’t see the need. EPA fuel economy is in the mid-teens and it makes a great road trip highway machine.

Inside, the third row is noticeably cramped and hard to get to.  A fatal flaw in my opinion is the lack of air vents for the third-row passengers.  Perhaps in more favorable climates, that isn't an issue. However, in any climate that has hot summers, it would be a deal-breaker for those that needed to use the last row on a daily basis.  

The Kia Telluride (and Hyundai Palisade twin) have markedly more usable space in the third row while being priced competitively and are worth a look.  The Toyota Highlander is similarly sized, but doesn't offer the sportiness of the Mazda. If just a two row vehicle is needed and the third row can be permanently folded down for extra storage space, the CX9 makes a compelling choice.  For regular transport of more than 5 people however, there are better options out there.