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REVIEW: Mazda CX-9 stays fun, adds function

Building your company around fun-to-drive character is a tough sell these days. On one hand, yes, people are still interested in driving.

Building your company around fun-to-drive character is a tough sell these days.

On one hand, yes, people are still interested in driving. On the other hand, the realities of traffic mean that onboard technology and comfort rise higher up the list, the worse the average commute gets.

Thus, while the CX-9 is probably the lightest-feeling three-row crossover on the market, the way it drives isn’t quite enough anymore. Further, it wasn’t quite keeping up to its competitors in the infotainment department.

The big news for this year’s refresh is the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the smartphone connectivity programs that are rapidly becoming deal-breakers for consumers. Along with a scattering of other upgrades, Mazda’s hopeful that the improvement to their flagship can bring it back in the running in a highly competitive marketplace.

So, have they succeeded? Is it possible to have a bit of fizz behind the wheel, yet still get all the practicality you need from day to day?

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The CX-9’s shield-shaped grille is large and bold without being overly aggressive. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

Design

It’s funny to think that the company that once built the boxy little 323 has become a proper design powerhouse. Last year, Mazda was releasing concepts that looked more Aston-Martin than mainstream passenger car brand. Mostly, they’ve managed to translate their styling dreams into reality.

Despite fulfilling the brief of being a large box for carrying people around, the CX-9 looks great. It’s a handsome machine, particularly in profile, with a large, shield-shaped grille that manages to not overdo things by trying to be overly aggressive.

In order to balance out all this curving sheetmetal, big wheels are more a requirement than a suggestion. Happily, Mazda’s made the 20-inch wheels formerly only on top trim models now available on mid-grade models.

Combined with one of their more specialized paint colours, like Machine Grey or Soul Red, the CX-9 looks like a competitor for the Acuras and Infinitis of the world. It’s more premium than they’re charging you for.

Environment

That premium feel extends to the interior as well, which manages to provide an uncluttered appearance that still impresses. The use of real wood is a nice touch, and the overall build quality is better than you’d expect from a mainstream brand.

For the driver and front seat passenger, things are excellent. Comfort is good, as are ergonomics, and there’s plenty of space.

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The CX-9 is a curvy, handsome machine that can compete with the luxury brands in terms of exterior design and style. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

Mazda bases their infotainment around a rotary controller rather than a touchscreen, and it takes some getting used to. We’re all used to touchscreens these days, thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, so going back to a rotary dial feels a bit of a step backward.

However, just as with a proper volume or tuning knob, a rotary dial is the sort of thing you don’t have to look at or reach for when driving. With a minimum number of buttons supporting it, the CX-9’s interface becomes a no-look proposition the more you use it. That’s a bit safer in this age of distracted driving.

However, there are a few issues to be found in the rest of the cabin. The middle row of seats is difficult for smaller children to climb in and out of, and it’d be nice to have captain’s chairs as an option. The third row is quite tight, and the overall cargo space is compromised by all that styling. You can find a little more room in other competitors.

Performance

The CX-9 has just one engine option, a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 250 horsepower and 310 foot-pounds of torque. Both those are healthy figures for this class of vehicle, but there’s a bit of an asterisk, as you can also run the CX-9 on regular-grade fuel for a power penalty. On 87 octane, it’ll make 227 h.p.

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The interior of the CX-9 has a premium feel, the uncluttered appearance highlighting the SUV’s good build quality. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

However, no matter the grade of fuel used, Mazda’s 2.5-litre turbo makes the same amount of low end torque. Further, the six-speed automatic is very well programmed, shifting when you want it to, and making the most of the power on tap. While eight- and nine-speed automatic transmissions are all the rage to jump through emissions hoops, the CX-9’s six-speed does exactly what you want.

With enough power to get up and moving, the CX-9 next impresses with driving dynamics that are truly nimble. It’s still a proper full-sized three-row crossover, but is neither floaty to drive at speed, nor heavy-feeling in the corners. No, you’re not going to be trying to set a lap record on the way to the school drop-off anyway, but the CX-9’s well-tuned dynamics make you feel a bit more in control.

As you’d expect from Mazda, which is a company managed by engineers, there are a few minor tweaks here to the suspension to make the CX-9 handle a little more sweetly. Overall, this remains the driver’s choice in the segment.

Features

At $36,700 to start, and $53,520 for the top of the range Signature, the CX-9 is priced fairly to compete with its Honda and Toyota rivals. According to Mazda, sales are strong of the higher-spec trims. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto might make it worth sticking with the mid-grade models for better value.

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Mazda CX-9 exterior detail. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News

Fuel economy rates are solid at Mazda these days, with the company’s entire range of vehicles hitting their targets consistently. Official ratings for the CX-9 are 11.6 litres/100 kilometres in the city, and 9.1 l/100 km on the highway. Mixed mileage of under 10 l/100 km in a more highway-focused commute is completely possible.

Green light

Nimble and light on its feet; upscale looks inside and out; better technology in this year’s model.

Stop sign

Cramped third row seats; not as much cargo as others; rotary controller takes some getting used to.

The checkered flag

A great-looking, fun-to-drive three-row crossover that also manages to provide for your practical needs. Now improved with tech to make your commute that much more bearable.

Competition

Subaru Ascent ($35,995): While the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander might be traditional rivals to the CX-9, there’s also a new player on the scene in the form of the Subaru Ascent. A proper three-row crossover, the Ascent is the largest Subaru on sale today, and is intended to give families who are outgrowing their Forester somewhere to expand into.

Certainly boxier than the CX-9, the Ascent is pretty much what you’d expect from a Subaru. The Mazda looks to impress with a sleek design, the Subaru is just a big box you can fit your stuff into.

However, the Ascent does have a few more family-friendly features than the CX-9, and is more flexible if you’ve got small children, or want to use that third row fairly often. It’s also not clumsy behind the wheel, by any means. The CX-9 is the dress shoe, the Ascent is the hiking boot.

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