Can a large family hauler be fun to drive? Mazda CX-9 is the answer. The CX-9 seats 7 and is very stylish and practical. It has a powerful V6 engine and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. It handles like a heavy sports sedan, yet has a refined smooth ride. The CX-9 rides on a fully independent suspension with 18″” or 20″” tires and comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. This is the family vehicle you will enjoy driving. Is a used Mazda CX-9 a good choice? The gas mileage is not great but that’s expected from this type of vehicle, see the fuel economy numbers below. Maintenance and repair costs are average for the class. Safety ratings are pretty good. Consumer Reports rates the CX-9 reliability as “”Average””, but there are few trouble spots to watch out for, read further.
2012 Mazda CX-9 interior
2012 Mazda CX-9 interior
Mazda CX-9 third-row seats
Mazda CX-9 third-row seats
Engine: The 2007 Mazda CX-9 was equipped with the 265-hp 3.5L Ford-sourced V6 engine. All later model years come with the 273-hp 3.7L V6. It’s a very strong low-maintenance engine with plenty of low-end torque. With proper maintenance this engine can last very long without problems.
Interior: Inside, the CX-9 is very roomy, although the wide center console takes up some space in the front. Three rows of seats are standard. The split second-row seats slide forward and backward. The third row provides reasonable space even for adult passengers. With the third row up, there is still 17.2 cu. ft of cargo space in the back, which is more than in Toyota Highlander, but less than in GMC Acadia/Chevrolet Traverse twins. The third-row seats fold flat for more cargo space. The second-row seats fold too, but not completely flat.
Handling and ride: The CX-9 handles extremely well and is a pleasure to drive on long highway trips. The ride is on the firm side, but refined and fairly quiet. The first impression is like driving on rails. Despite it’s heavy weight, the CX-9 feels quick off the line and sporty and secure on the road. The steering is precise and well-weighted. The AWD system is fully automatic and does not require any input from the driver. One thing we noticed though, the CX-9 all-season tires are not very good in the snow.
Safety: The 2007-2010 CX-9 scored five out of five stars in government crash test and has a four star rollover resistance rating. Antilock brakes and stability control are standard. Optional Blind Spot Monitoring system will alert the driver of vehicles that are in blind spots on either side of the car when changing lanes.
Pros: Sporty styling, powerful engine, excellent handling, refined ride, roomy upscale interior, spacious third row, plenty of cargo space, safety ratings.
Cons: Fuel economy, reliability could be better.
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