I�m a sports car guy. And therefore the prospect of a week in a massive SUV with third-row seating carries just slightly more appeal than stabbing myself in the leg with a dinner fork. But when the CX-9 showed up at our offices I was intrigued. After all, it�s a Mazda, built by the same great minds who created the iconic Miata and RX-7, and they promise �the soul of a sportscar� is instilled in their line of SUV�s.
Pros: - Sleek, understated styling in and out.
- Handles and drives like a slightly smaller, lighter vehicle.
- Seats seven comfortably.
- Still not small or light.
- Modest gas mileage.
- Sleek and understated may also be bland.
Mazda�s lofty claim that a seven-seat, 4,000lb pseudo-truck is designed to handle well is not far from saying a sumo wrestler was trained as a ballet dancer�it might be true to some degree but you still shouldn�t get your hopes up. And this definitely applies to the CX-9. With big wheels and tires, tall ride height and seating position, there�s no denying that you�re behind the wheel of an SUV�body roll and brake dive are still present�but Mazda worked hard to sharpen the reflexes of the CX-9 to a more acceptable level. Good visibility and a better-than-average sense of where the CX-9�s corners are help with tight mall parking situations. Compared to many vehicles in this class, the CX-9 felt almost as smooth and plush but notably less cumbersome.
Build
We�re generally impressed with Mazda build quality and the CX-9 is no exception. There�s not much on this car that hints at cost cutting. Doors close with a muted, health thump. The ride is quiet with no wind noise or rattles, and the engine noise, though noticeable when driving hard, is a pleasing tone. Interior materials are all good choices, though the leather seats feel somewhat rubbery.
Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
With this much room it�s no surprise that the spacious CX-9 is plenty comfortable. The seats are flat and only semi-supportive in terms of bolstering, but that�s what you�d expect for a vehicle in this class. There�s room to improve in the ergonomics department, as my average-length arms had to stretch to reach many of the center dash controls. Storage options were quirky, with a surprising lack of cubbies for wallets and phones, and center console doors that open outwards towards the occupants, making access awkward.
Performance
Under the hood lurks a smooth-running V6 that churns out 273hp and 270ft/lb of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission is quick to downshift and happy to hold a gear up to the 6,000rpm redline. There�s a manual shift mode but it�s sluggish and not worth the trouble. The engine and transmission connect to an all-wheel-drive system that lends confidence on wet or snowy roads. Between the torque, gearing and AWD system you can mash the throttle and trust the CX-9 to dart into traffic with nary a hint of wheel spin or drama, and for a large vehicle it packs a surprising punch that compliments the tight chassis well.
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