Vehicle Tested
2013 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring FWD SUV (3.7L V6 6-speed Automatic)
Driven On
6/25/2013
Ratings Summary
The Mazda CX-9 masks its massive size with svelte styling. As such, this three-row crossover looks less like a minivan stand-in than its competitors. It's extremely quiet and comfortable and offers the sportiest driving experience in the segment.
B
Performance
More verve than your typical SUV. It's true that in instrumented testing some competitors can out-accelerate and just barely outhandle the CX-9. In real-world driving, though, it's a step above the crowd.
| Acceleration |
B
|
Considering the CX-9's weight, the smooth and quiet V6 does an adequate job of moving things down the road. The 6-speed automatic is supple but can be hesitant to kick down at times. |
| Braking |
B
|
The CX-9's panic stop distances were a little shorter than average. Although pedal feel wasn't as crisp around town as we would've liked, it's easy to modulate. |
| Steering |
B
|
Direct steering that, again, makes this Mazda feel nimble in a way that many large SUVs do not. It's not brimming with feel but is quick and weighted on the light side. |
| Handling |
A
|
The CX-9 feels more athletic than most of its competitors in regular driving. But track handling numbers showed it's not as dominant over its competition as we thought. |
| Driveability |
A
|
Easy-to-drive vehicle with supple throttle delivery. The automatic transmission always tells you the gear you're in, and it downshifts in cruise control to stay at the set speed. |
| Towing |
C
|
The CX-9 has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Conversely, the Ford Flex can tow up to 4,500 pounds, the Hyundai Santa Fe 5,000 lb. and the Chevy Traverse 5,200 lb. |
| Off-Road |
C
|
Like its competitors, the CX-9 is a soft-roader. Smooth fire roads are about as adventurous as you're going to want to get. Especially the front-wheel-drive version we tested. |
B
Comfort
The CX-9 is a quiet, comfortable cruiser. Surprisingly, the third row actually has enough headroom for moderately sized adults. If the ride is too firm on rough roads, reconsider whether the Grand Touring's 20-inch wheels are for you.
| Seating Comfort |
A
|
Front seats are extremely plush with perfect lumbar but mild bolstering. One foot is always resting on the seat rail in the second row. Comfy third row has headroom for adults. |
| Ride Comfort |
B
|
This is among the firmer-riding SUVs, but it's not harsh. A good amount of body control. If you're looking for a smother-everything ride, though, look elsewhere. |
| Quietness |
A
|
Well hushed. Tires are quiet, even on concrete freeways. Wind noise is nearly nonexistent. You almost never notice the V6. Even under full throttle it's pretty subdued. |
B
Interior
There's little to fault in the cabin beyond the fiddly navigation screen and a few low-rent plastic pieces. There are loads of room, easy access and nice outward visibility.
| Ergonomics |
B
|
Overall the cabin controls are well-sorted and placed. The glaring exception is the multimedia screen, the interface of which is slow, cumbersome and not intuitive. |
| Ingress/Egress |
B
|
Easy to get in/out up front, perfect step-in height. If second-row seats are moved rearward, third-row seatbacks can't be raised. But nice one-touch mechanism for accessing third row. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
Good front headroom, generous elbow room with cut-out doors and individual center armrests. Second-row headroom is excellent. Third-row foot room is poor but knee room is decent. |
| Visibility |
B
|
Despite sloping roof, side windows are large. Most pillars are narrow, other than the rearmost. Blind-spot monitor standard on this model. Standard back-up camera has small screen. |
| Cargo/Storage |
C
|
Small but handy front bin. Door pockets are too low. Cupholders don't have anti-tip. Mega cargo space with third seat down. Hatch doesn't rise high enough, easy to hit head. |
B
Value
The CX-9 combines a well-stocked feature list, space and a pleasant driving acuity in day-to-day maneuvers that is missing in other SUVs. Its fuel economy does not distinguish, but it offers a lot for the money.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
B
|
The shifter surround plastic feels cheap and the dash is hard-touch, but most materials look and feel substantial. High marks for the seat/door suede inserts. Wood trim is classy. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
The top-level Grand Touring starts at $34,785. That price brings blind-spot monitoring, a rearview camera, back-up sensors and Bluetooth standard. Nav and a sunroof cost extra. |
| Cost |
B
|
The as-tested price of $38,115 includes navigation, sunroof, tranny cooler and heavy-duty fan. Considering the size, people-hauling ability and quality, this is a reasonable sum. |
| MPG |
C
|
The EPA rates the CX-9 at 17 city/24 highway/19 mpg combined. We averaged 17.7 mpg overall, and 19.7 mpg on our standard evaluation route. Middling fuel economy for the class. |
| Warranty |
C
|
The basic warranty is 3 years/36,000 miles with the drivetrain covered for 5 years/60,000 miles. Both are about average for the class, but well below that of the Hyundai Santa Fe. |
| Ownership |
C
|
The CX-9 has roadside assistance for 3 years/36,000 miles, which is less than some competitors. It doesn't have free maintenance, but then neither do its rivals. |
B
Fun To Drive
The CX-9's linearity and crispness is a refreshing change of pace for this class. If you ever enjoy a winding road, this is your SUV.
| Driving Experience |
A
|
No large SUV will drive like a sports car, but the CX-9 comes closest to embodying those principles in terms of steering, routine handling and lack of slop. |
| Personality |
B
|
The chassis is relatively eager, though the gearbox blunts the buzz somewhat. Still, this is certainly an underappreciated SUV in the class. |
