Published: May 31, 2016, 7:15 AM
Updated: June 2, 2016, 2:45 PM
Mazda CX-9 ups the ante for mid-size sport utes
Mazda is pushing the top-end trim of its flagship seven-passenger crossover to a premium level that rivals luxury brands at a more affordable price.
Words and pictures by Clare Dear.
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Premium level rivals luxury brands
It’s a well-worn adage in the car business that the key to success is product – build great cars and buyers will come. But it’s not necessarily so. Mazda has been building models that continue to earn countless awards and auto journalists, almost without exception, sing their praises, but this relatively small Japanese automaker still struggles to score with the buying public.
With its all-new 2016 CX-9, Mazda is taking a new approach. This is a company that’s not afraid to step outside the box, so in an effort to woo new buyers, it’s pushing the top-end trim of its flagship seven-passenger crossover to a premium level that rivals luxury brands, but still keeping pricing at more affordable point – boosting content while delivering great value. It’s a bold move, but this impressive new mid-size crossover may just be the home run Mazda is looking to for to generate growth for the brand.
We were impressed when we drove a camouflaged prototype last fall. We like it even better now that we've driven the production model.
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Total redesign
The current-generation CX-9 has been basically unchanged for years and Mazda concedes it was getting long in the tooth, compared to the competition. Sales have been slipping while the company has been working hard to make over other models, as well as introduce some new siblings, such as the CX-3 crossover. Finally, it is the CX-9’s turn and it has been given a total redesign, with stunning results. Using the basic platform shared with the Mazda6 sedan and CX-5 crossover, this beautifully proportioned iteration has a sleek, sculpted exterior skin and an interior that’s punching well above its weight class.
The wheelbase has been lengthened 56 millimetres to 2,930 while the front and rear overhangs have been clipped back – 58 mm at the nose and 25 mm out back. While it has a trimmer by 30 mm length overall (5.065 mm), the new, longer hood – a design trait shared with the rest of the Mazda portfolio – creates the impression the new CX-9 is larger than its predecessor. Adding to this illusion is the fact the A-pillars have been shifted rearward and the windshield has been tilted back. The roofline has a sweeping profile that terminates at the redesigned rear end.
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Weight reduction
Although the platform is shared, most of the underpinnings and related components have been beefed up for use in this larger vehicle. Still, by using lightweight materials and weight-saving building techniques pioneered in the previous SkyActiv-designed vehicles, the curb weight has been trimmed from 99 to 148 kilograms compared to the current CX-9, depending on the configuration. (The new CX-9 weighs 1,828 kg with front-wheel drive versus 1,927 for the 2015 model; with all-wheel-drive, the weight has dropped to 1,917 from 2,065.) There’s a weight savings of 60 kg in the engine bay alone between the current 3.7L V-6 and the new 2.5L turbo.
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Mazda Signature grille
Looking at the CX-9 square on, there’s an obvious trapezoid stance, which is repeated when approaching from the rear as well. The front end is dominated by the large upright grille, a design element that’s become a signature element for the brand. The new headlight assembly picks up the flow of the styling from the grille and carries it into the character line that runs the length of the body.
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LED headlamps
Redesigned LED headlamps with automatic levelling are standard on all trim levels and create a trimmer, more refined look. Adaptive front lighting is standard with the GT and Signature trims, while automatic high-beam control is available in the Technical Package for the GT and standard on the Signature. The two upscale models also get LED signature lighting front and rear, while the premium trim has exclusive lighting outlining the grille.
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Classy combination
Combination LED lights illuminate the rear end of the CX-9, flowing around the corners of the body to connect with the sweeping character line. Rather than simply have a strip of chrome to tie the two lighting assemblies together and brighten up the rear liftgate, designer Ethan Song created a three-dimensional blade below the rear window to do the job. It gives the rear end a distinctive, substantial look – and adds a touch of class, too.
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Stunning interior
One element that sets the new CX-9 apart from its predecessors is the interior. It’s simply stunning, especially in the premium Signature edition shown here. The execution and craftsmanship are superb. In fact, remove the badging and one could be easily convinced this was the cabin of a high-end German crossover such as an Audi or Mercedes-Benz. The occupants are enveloped with luxurious appointments – rich Nappa leather with contrasting stitching, as well as generous use of aluminum trim and real wood accents. Heated front seats with eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat are standard across all trim levels, while all but the base GS model also have a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
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Driver focused
The design of the instrument panel makes it focused on the driver, with the lines all flowing toward the main cluster of three large gauge faces tucked under a hood directly in front of the steering wheel. The lines of the panel have been lowered, while features vital to the driver have been raised to reduce eye movement. There’s a heads-up display projected on the windshield – not on a plastic pop-up screen as in other Mazda models – and it provides information such as the current speed, the speed limit and the cruise control set speed, as well as numerous other readouts to assist the driver. In the centre of the instrument panel there is a tablet-like infotainment screen which is positioned for easy viewing and access.
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Impressive details
The attention to detail is impressive. Real rosewood surrounds the centre console, which has been widened and repositioned higher for better ergonomics, especially for the driver. The wood is simply snapped in place – it is carved and contoured to fit perfectly and its rich feel prompts one to rub your fingers over it. A large rotary dial controls navigation through the various menus on the infotainment screen, which is also touch sensitive.
For those who still believe the volume of the audio system is best manipulated by a knob, there’s a dedicated rotary switch to the right of the infotainment controller, easily accessible by driver or front passenger. The Signature’s audio system is a 12-speaker premium Bose package that’s been specifically tuned to the CX-9’s interior. Engineers used a German luxury SUV as their benchmark for audio quality – and surpassed it in both clarity and imaging.
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No detail too small
Sometimes, small details can be overlooked, so it’s worth pointing out some of the touches incorporated into the new interior. The aluminum trim around the door handles, for example, aren’t simply brushed metal – Mazda craftsmen have taken the time to also polish sections of the panel, creating a rich, refined look. The panels also make a transition from flat to a concave shape approaching the A-pillar, creating a sense of flow into the round air outlets at the corner of the instrument panel. Real, crafted rosewood trim surrounds the window control panel on the door.
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Accessible rear seats
The comfortable second row of seating with centre armrest has been modified to allow ready access to the rear seats, making the task of buckling toddlers into their car seats much easier. The seats slide fore and aft on tracks in the lowered floorpan and the 60/40-split seatbacks flip forward by pulling a conveniently mounted lever.
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Revised third row
The third row of seating, with 50/50-split seatbacks, has been changed for 2016, with the hip point lowered. To compensate, the seatbacks of the second row have been made thinner and there’s more foot room under those seats. Despite the sleeker roofline, headroom has been maintained at 899 mm. Still, the back row is best suited for toddlers in car seats (appropriate LATCH points are provided) or youngsters. The seatbacks fold flat with single tug on a lever and the headrests fold automatically.
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Lots of cargo room
The step and gaps in the cargo floor that made sliding in large items a bit of a challenge in the previous generation model has been eliminated, thanks to a lower floorpan, which allowed the third-row seats to be lowered. With the two rear rows of seating folded, the flat floor of the cargo area can accommodate 2,017 litres. Flip up the second-row seatbacks and you still have 1,082 litres to store stuff. With all three rows upright, there is room for 407 litres of cargo.
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Bonus storage bin
A handy storage bin is located under the cargo area floor behind the third-row seats. It’s ideal for storing items you’d like to out of sight for prying eyes.
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New 2.5L engine
Mazda’s SkyActiv engine/chassis design has finally been extended to the CX-9, the last product in its portfolio to benefit from this unique technology. Unlike other engines in Mazda’s lineup, however, this 2.5-litre four cylinder has been given a boost with what Mazda describes as a dynamic pressure turbocharger and an intercooler. In real-world driving, Mazda researchers found the bulk of demand on an CUV engine is typically at low rpm – rarely did a typical driver demand more output at high revs, so the focus of the turbo engine’s development was on maximizing torque, rather than generating big horsepower numbers on the spec sheet.
By adding a flow control valve in the exhaust line to the turbo, combined with a unique 4-3-1 pulse converter manifold that promotes exhaust scavenging on every exhaust stroke, this new engine generates a bundle of torque – 310 lb-ft – at just 2,000 rpm, the sweet spot for most usage. That’s an increase of about 40 lb-ft over the V-6 that powered the previous generation CX-9. The compression ratio has been increased a couple of ticks to 10.5:1 and the turbo boost is 16 to 17 psi. The engine will crank out 227 horsepower (at 5,000 rpm) when regular-grade fuel is pumped through its direct injection system. Opting for premium fuel will boost the output to 250 horses, but most consumers won’t notice a difference as the torque output remains the same, regardless of the fuel grade.
Combined with Mazda’s SkyActiv six-speed automatic transmission, the turbo 2.5L responded with plenty of pep during our daylong test drive on the hills and highways in the beautiful Vernon, B.C. region. There was sufficient reserve for overtaking and merging and although our test vehicles were only lightly loaded, I was assured by one engineer who is a weekend racer that his CX-9 hauls a trailer carrying his race car plus tools and other gear without any issues. (The towing capacity is 3,500 lb for both FWD and AWD configurations.) If you’re feeling sporty, the transmission has a Sport mode that alters the tranny’s shift points. It was especially effective on some twisty logging roads, slipping down as I approached a turn and holding that gear during acceleration out the other end. I couldn’t have made the gear choices better myself.
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Class-leading fuel economy
Fuel efficiency has improved significantly, with new CX-9 topping its segment in both city and highway consumption. In city driving, it is rated at 10.5 litres/100 km with front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is 11.2. On the highway, the front-driver is rated at 8.3, while AWD is 8.8. Its combined rating of 9.5 L/100 km is second only to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (8.4 L/100 km). In our test drive, our average rate was 10.5 L/100 km with zero effort to minimize consumption.
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Enhanced ride comfort
The CX-9 rides comfortably on an independent suspension system, with MacPherson struts and coil springs plus an anti-roll bar up front and a multi-link system with coil springs and an anti-roll bar in the rear. Steering is handled by a rack and pinion box with power assist that varies with the engine revs, while disc brakes on all four wheels provide the stopping power. A section of our test drive included a logging road that deteriorated into a trail. The suspension swallowed the craters, rocks and divots without complaints, while on the highway it sailed along steady with negligible body roll in the curves. The i-ACTIV all-wheel drive system did its thing seamlessly in the rough patches.
Perhaps the most impressive quality, however, was the reduction in road noise intruding into the cabin. While road and wind noise in previous Mazda models has been a problem, the engineering efforts to reduce the noise level, including the addition of 24 kg of insulation between the floor and carpet (the previous CX-9 had just 7.5 kg), the addition of acoustic glass in the windshield and front side windows, use of a thicker floorpan and the addition of improved seals to prevent turbulence in panel gaps and around windows have paid big dividends. The improvements are impressive indeed.
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Alloy wheels on all
All trim levels are fitted with alloy wheels, with 18-inch rims and 255/60R18 tires on the GS and GS-L models, while the GT and Signature models are fitted with brightly finished 20-inch rims and 255/50R20 tires. All models get a temporary spare tire.
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Safety systems support, not intrude
Mazda’s approach to safety technologies is to provide systems that support, but not intrude on the driving experience unless critical action is required. For example, its lane-keeping assist acknowledges that many drivers prefer to dip close to the inside edge around a corner, so the Mazda system allows that deviation, rather than simply keeping the vehicle between the lines. Drift over the centre line, however, and there’s a gentle tug on the wheel, urging correction. Other features in the iActivSense suite of safety technologies include lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, forward obstruction warning, rear cross-traffic alert, smart city brake assist and radar-based adaptive cruise control.
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Wide range of models and pricing
Pricing for the 2016 Mazda CX-9, which ranges from around $35,000 to 50,000, slots neatly into the intermediate SUV/CUV segment, which has an average price of $41,000. In fact, it mirrors the price range for the Honda Pilot. The base CX-9 GS with front-wheel drive is $35,300 and its list of standard features includes a high-grade cloth interior, three-zone automatic climate control with rear control and display panel, pushbutton start, electronic parking brake and a seven-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect. If you prefer all-wheel drive, it’s an additional $2,500.
The GS-L, which is expected to be the volume leader, lists at $41,500, including AWD, and adds such features as leather upholstery, power moonroof, keyless entry, rain-sensing wipers, four-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, a larger (eight-inch) touchscreen, LED fog lights, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and Smart City Brake support and a height-adjustable power liftgate.
The GT trim (with AWD standard), previously the top of the lineup, is $45,500. Its list of additional features includes the Bose audio system, navigation, driver’s seat memory, retractable rear sunshades, a black headliner and 4.6-inch multifunction information display. An upgrade with the Technical Package is offered at $1,600 and includes adaptive cruise control, forward obstruction warning, lane departure and lane-keep assist systems plus automatic high-beam headlight control.
The new premium Signature model is $50,100. It adds the plush Chroma Brown Nappa leather interior, detailed stitching on the seats and steering wheel, the authentic rosewood inserts and ambient LED interior lighting. The only other added-cost items offered involve paint finishes – white pearl adds $200; Soul Red metallic is $300 (GS-L and GT) and the new Machine Grey metallic (GS-L, GT, Signature) is $300. Shipping and dealer prepping is $1,895 across the board. The $100 air-conditioning surcharge is also additional.
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