The CX 9 is part of Mazda’s SUV family since 2006. The three row SUV is a family hauler that’s meticulously crafted for drivers. Its distinctive styling makes it the winner while its premium and advanced features roar at the luxury offerings of its rivals.
Exterior
The elegant exterior is an expression of Mazda’s “Soul of Motion” design language, the same philosophy that helps define the look of the CX 3 and CX 5 crossovers. Aesthetically built with its sharp lines and protruding snout, it bears great resemblance to Hollywood celebrity Taylor Lautner. The carved head and taillamps lend the Japanese crossover a modern yet classic look.
The CX 9 that I’m driving has adaptive LED accents in the headlights, with each headlight comprising of a smaller block of four LED lights. There's just enough chrome to keep things interesting without being too flashy. The Machine Gray Metallic paint which is the signature color, highlights the CX 9's subtle elegance perfectly, its satin finish helping this already good-looking car stand out even more.
The large, 20-inch alloy wheels and aluminum roof rails blend nicely into the design of the vehicle, while the power lift gate is easy to open and offers plenty of cargo space, along with the ability to open and close the trunk lid with the touch of a button.
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Interior
The impressive cabin feels far more expensive than what you might expect from a Japanese manufacturer such as Mazda. Although it still features the familiar aluminum dashboard insert or the free-standing screen seen in other models, the CX 9’s cabin has plenty of unique styling cues to brag about.
The cabin feels wide and welcoming, with abundant storage and a lovely steering wheel that’s adjustable for rake and reach. You get power driver and front passenger seats, while the second-row benefits from its own independent climate control system.
The aluminum and wood inserts in the door panels and the revised center stack, make it feel more modern and luxurious. Mazda claims there are more than twenty-four kilograms of sound deadening components installed below the floor in three different sections. Needless to say, the CX 9 is probably the most comfortable vehicle Mazda has built to date.
Safety & Tech
The 2017 Mazda CX 9 has a 5-star safety rating that could be attributed to features such as an Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring system, Smart City Braking with Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning that ensures the vehicle stays in the center of the lane at all times. The Rear Cross Traffic Alert is also an extremely handy aid when reversing out of busy car parks.
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Drive
Welcoming the brand’s SKYACTIV 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine to the CX 9 range, the Japanese crossover produces a healthy 230 horsepower and a zippy 420 Nm of torque. Tap the drive mode selector into Sports mode and the CX 9 takes off, lifting its nose in the air and accelerating to 100 km/h in 7.2-seconds.
Being the most powerful SUV to don Mazda’s insignia yet, you might assume the CX 9 AWD to be a gas guzzler but the SKYACTIV engine sips just 8.8-liters of gasoline for every 100 kilometers covered on the ground – a figure that could most certainly be compared with significantly smaller sedans. Its dynamic turbo boost is addictive and doesn’t lag, meaning as soon as you put your foot down the power is there when you need it.
Verdict
The AWD Luxury variant of the 2017 Mazda CX 9 commands a price of AED 160,000. A great seven-eater passenger SUV, the CX 9 has been designed for the modern-day parent that’s on the lookout for something practical, enjoyable, and above all stylish.
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