2019 Mazda CX-9 Review

Name: 2019 Mazda CX-9 Review
Brand: Mazda
Price: 18998 USD

Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Mazda CX-9 Signature 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+291

Used CX-9 for sale

$18,998 - $31,998

20 listings

See Cars for Online Purchase See All for Sale

Appraise This Car

Mazda CX-9 model years

Mazda CX-9 for Sale

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Premium interior, especially the top-level Signature trim
Sporty handling
Comfortable and quiet on the highway

Cons

Cargo capacity isn't as generous as in competitors
Third-row seats aren't especially accommodating

What's new

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are newly available
Retuned suspension for a smoother ride
New surround-view parking camera system
Part of the second CX-9 generation introduced for 2016

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is one of the highest-rated vehicles on Edmunds. On a rather superficial level, we like it for its styling that makes rival midsize SUVs seem generic by comparison. The same holds true for the interior of the top Signature trim, which rivals the cabins of some luxury-branded vehicles for materials quality.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mazda CX-9 Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$177/mo

$254/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

It's not all about looks for the CX-9 either. It drives exceptionally well compared to rivals, with confident and almost sporty handling. Thankfully, this cornering prowess doesn't come at the expense of comfort, as the CX-9 smooths over the rough stuff with ease. We also commend it for its quiet cabin at highway speeds.

The CX-9 does have a few weaknesses, though. If you need a three-row family hauler with exceptional cargo space, this isn't the vehicle for you. The same goes for the amount of room for third-row passengers. Still, it's fair to say that the CX-9 is still big enough to meet the needs of the typical crossover SUV shopper.

In the end, the 2019 Mazda CX-9's positive attributes far outweigh its space issues. It's definitely worth considering against any other midsize three-row SUV such as the Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Mazda CX-9 as one of Edmunds' Best Family SUVs, Best Midsize SUVs, and Best Gas Mileage SUVs for this year.

What's it like to live with?

To learn more about the Mazda CX-9 of this generation, read about our editors' experiences from a full year and 20,000 miles of driving a 2016 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy. We found the CX-9 to be one of the most fun and best-looking SUVs around, but its cargo space might not be enough for some shoppers. Note that the 2019 Mazda CX-9 differs from our long-term 2016 CX-9 in that it offers more standard features and a retuned suspension. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of a Mazda CX-9 Signature (turbo 2.5L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the CX-9 has received some minor revisions. Our findings remain applicable to this year's model, however.

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

Driving

8.5

The Mazda CX-9 is one of those vehicles that earns the "it drives like a smaller car" description. It feels more athletic than competitors on a winding road and is more maneuverable in trickier confines. The turbocharged engine has enough power to satisfy most drivers.

Acceleration

8.0

Plentiful power and sharp response off the line. The CX-9 has no trouble passing slower traffic, and it easily accelerates up to speed when merging onto a highway. Power tapers off as the engine nears redline. In our tests, a 0-60 mph run took 7.3 seconds — about average for this class.

Braking

8.5

The brakes feel firm, dependable and easy to modulate in everyday driving. As a result, the CX-9 is quite controllable in panic-stop tests. Our test vehicle needed 115 feet to stop from 60 mph — an admirably short stop for a three-row crossover SUV.

Steering

9.0

The CX-9 has good straight-ahead stability on the highway and delivers crisp response when turning. It maintains a good sense of connection with the driver, and the steering effort builds nicely as it bends into corners. Excellent among SUVs and better than some sedans.

Handling

8.0

The CX-9 feels eager and nimble on mountain roads. You might notice a bit of body roll in long corners because of the CX-9's relatively high SUV driving position, but it builds gradually and the chassis remains secure and settled throughout. The overall feel is one of confidence.

Drivability

9.0

The CX-9 moves out quickly when you press on the accelerator, yet the pedal is smooth and easy to regulate. The smart-shifting transmission executes smooth shifts that are made quickly when they need to be.

Comfort

8.0

Whether you're just commuting or taking a long road trip, the CX-9 delivers an impressive degree of comfort thanks to a smooth ride, quiet cabin and well-sculpted seats. Our test car's air conditioning was mediocre, but we're not yet certain if this early test sample is representative.

Seat comfort

8.0

We found the front seats to be well-shaped and supportive over many hours of touring. The sliding and reclining second-row seats proved just as accommodating. But the third row's low cushion and tight headroom limit its appeal.

Ride comfort

8.0

Previous Mazda SUVs have generally been tuned for stiff sportiness, but the CX-9 is more focused on comfort and luxury. It smooths out road imperfections exceptionally well, but we did encounter some residual rebounds after rolling over moderate-size lumps and bumps.

Noise & vibration

9.0

This is one quiet highway cruiser. Wind and road noise is silenced to levels we're accustomed to (not) hearing in luxury vehicles. The level of quietness might have made a few minor creaks from the center console seem louder than they were. (Note: Our test car was a preproduction sample.)

Climate control

6.0

On hot days our CX-9's automatic climate control struggled to keep the cabin as cool as we would have liked.

Interior

8.0

Pretty much everything about the CX-9's interior feels right and thoughtfully designed. This is a new benchmark for non-luxury SUVs, and other manufacturers should take notes on how Mazda makes the most of available space and how quality components all contribute to a favorable impression.

Ease of use

9.0

Most major controls are logically placed and easy to use. The infotainment system's main control knob is easily one of the best we've encountered. It is placed where your hand normally rests, the screen is right in your sight line, response is quick and the menus are intuitive.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

Access to the front and middle-row seats is easy thanks to tall openings and no obstructions. In tight spots, the relatively short doors can open wide so you don't have to squeeze in. Access to the third row does require a short but inelegant crawl.

Driving position

8.5

Space and seat adjustments ensure that just about anyone can find a comfortable driving position. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel has enough travel to please taller drivers, and the armrests are right where they should be to provide appropriate support.

Roominess

7.0

The CX-9 feels larger inside than its exterior suggests, and its front and middle rows easily accommodate larger passengers. The third row has enough space to prevent claustrophobia, but a low cushion and tight headroom make it best suited for kids and smaller adults.

Visibility

7.5

Visibility out the front and sides is generous, but thickish front roof pillars can obstruct the view somewhat through tight turns. The rear view is compromised by broad rear pillars and a small rear window, but it's no worse than in a typical SUV in its class.

Quality

9.0

The Signature trim makes use of interior materials that are usually reserved for premium luxury vehicles. Every surface has a solid, quality feel, the gaps are uniform and tight, and the paint looks fantastic. This is as nice an SUV as you'll get in the class.

Utility

7.0

The CX-9 doesn't hold as much cargo as competing SUVs. But thoughtful design makes it easy to live with, and growing families should find adequate space for their stuff. Few people tow with SUVs in this class, so the fact that the CX-9 doesn't lead in this area might not be of concern.

Small-item storage

7.0

You'll find numerous interior storage cubbies for your personal items. The door pockets are a healthy size and have indents that hold large water bottles.

Cargo space

7.5

We found the CX-9's cargo capacity to be sufficient at 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 71.2 cubic feet with all the seats folded. But others in the class offer more. On the plus side, the CX-9 has a flat cargo floor that makes it easy to load bulky items.

Towing

Towing capacity maxes out at 3,500 pounds, which is on the low side of average among competing three-row SUVs. The Class II hitch and wiring harness are sold together as an after-purchase accessory.

Technology

8.0

Mazda took a page from the German luxury playbook by incorporating a dial-based infotainment interface, and it's one of the better systems at any price. Likewise, the active-safety aids it offers seem to be well-tuned to prevent false alarms.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The Bose stereo (standard on the Grand Touring trim and above) delivers clear and powerful audio. And the audio and navigation interface is one of the best in the industry thanks to its sharp and well-placed screen, thoughtful menu structure, and a controller that's easy to learn and use.

Smartphone integration

8.0

Smartphones are easy to pair and quick to be recognized on startup. There are also plenty of USB ports to keep everyone's devices charged. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are a new addition for the 2019 model year, too.

Driver aids

8.5

Advanced safety features such as forward collision warning and lane keeping assist are well-tuned to areas with heavy traffic. False alarms are rare, yet the systems function as expected when needed.

Voice control

8.0

Voice recognition is accurate, and the on-screen prompts simplify use. Using voice commands to enter an address is as easy as with any other system.

2019 Mazda CX-9 models

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is a three-row crossover SUV that seats seven passengers. It's available in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature trim levels. All CX-9s are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 227 horsepower (or 250 hp with premium fuel) and 310 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

Standard features on the Sport include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, tri-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 60/40-split folding second-row seats, 50/50-split folding third-row seats, Bluetooth, Mazda's Connect infotainment system with a 7-inch display, two USB ports and a six-speaker sound system. Also included is blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a low-speed automatic emergency braking system useful in urban and congested traffic.

The Touring trim adds to the Sport's features with automatic headlights, automatic wipers, heated mirrors, a power liftgate, keyless ignition and entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, heated front seats, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and two USB ports in the second-row center armrest.

The Touring also adds more safety features, including automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and enhanced automatic emergency braking.

The Grand Touring trim further dresses things up with 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, LED foglights, roof rails, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, a head-up display with traffic sign recognition, a digital gauge cluster, driver-seat memory functions, ventilated front seats, retractable sunshades for the middle-row seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, aluminum interior trim, additional interior lighting, a navigation system, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system and satellite radio.

At the top of the range is the Signature trim, which adds all-wheel drive, exterior LED accent lighting, and premium leather upholstery and interior trim.

Some of the features on higher trims are available on supporting models as options.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#4 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda CX-9 from 2008-2022.}

$480/yr

vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.57x/yr

vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

13.8%

vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Mazda CX-9.

5 (73%)

4 (13%)

3 (11%)

2 (0%)

1 (3%)

4.5

55 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 55 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

The automotive press loves the CX-9, here’s why…

Tom D, 04/17/2019

2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

The CX-9 is smaller than most vehicles in this segment but since I’m the only occupant 98% of the time it meets my needs. It’s arguably the best looking in terms of design and has the most luxurious interior of any other crossover in its class avoiding the excess of cheap plastic so common in other rides. The leather is superb, there’s real aluminum trim on the doors and dash, the … knobs for the infotainment system are beautifully machined aluminum that you’d expect to see in German import costing thousands more. I was reluctant to move from a V6 to a turbo 4 cylinder but Mazda’s tuned this engine to perform and you’ll never notice the difference thanks to bountiful torque. You’d hope for better mileage but my experience in mixed driving so far is about 22-25 mpg. The chassis and suspension deliver exceptional handling and a quiet ride overall. Most autos today in the upper level trim include a suite of safety features which depending on the maker can be intrusive but not the Mazda. Lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise, reactive braking, blind spot monitoring, etc. are engaging and actually help you drive more safely rather than annoy you. The controversial engine start/stop alleged fuel saving feature is NOT found on the CX-9. The head’s up display is outstanding providing speed, speed limit info, safety suite feedback, and turn-by-turn directions from the nav system (unless you’re using Android Auto or Apple Car play for navigation). A 12 speaker Bose stereo is better than any factory system I’ve experienced in years. It’s not all perfect; the front cockpit is a little snug (more like a sports car than a SUV/mini-van), the front seats could have more adjustment and longer cushions for better thigh support (not a problem for me but taller drivers might notice), third row seating is a penalty box for other than small children (I just folded them down and expanded my cargo capacity), and interior cabin storage is very meager. The HVAC seems a little slow to heat/cool the interior but acceptable (the ventilated cooled seats do work very well), and the infotainment/nav is kind of clunky to use, looks dated in appearance (your opinion will depend on what your last car was), and is quite slow to boot up. I’ve never had a 360 degree camera so the Mazda’s is a useful novelty but as others have noted the resolution is poor which is surprising given how far miniature camera tech has advanced the past few years. The piano black trim around the shifter and door window switches is so fragile it will scratch just looking at it. Finally, if you’re into physical media the CX-9 does not offer a CD player available. Overall after a month of ownership I am enjoying my new Mazda and recommend it to those who need a crossover/SUV with more room than the 2-row models, but will rarely if ever need to put passengers in the very back. I researched mid-sized 3-row crossovers for over a year before making this purchase and highly recommend anyone shopping for any new vehicle spend a lot of time studying owner’s forums to get the straight scoop on potential problem areas. The Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring (FWD) beat out the Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum and Honda Pilot Touring in my evaluation. One Year Update: I've owned my CX-9 GT for just over a year now and it's been a trouble free pleasure to own. I've had no difficulties with this SUV and have a little over than 7K miles on it. Rides and handles great and the performance from the 4 cylinder turbo engine is brisk. My only annoyance is the sluggish boot up of the infotainment system; occasionally it won't load all of the Sirius/XM stations. Mileage on mostly rural backroads and highways is 22-24 MPG. 2 YEAR UPDATE: I'm starting on my 3rd year of ownership of the 2019 CX-9 GT with FWD and as I'm retired and with reduced activity in 2020 due to Covid only have 11,000 miles on the odometer. So far it's been a great vehicle, comfortable and sporty to drive for an SUV. Maintenance has thus far been routine oil/filter changes. The only thing I've had an issue with are the automatic folding side mirrors. Sometimes when the car is unlocked and the mirrors are fully deployed when I open the door they will either close completely or start to close then reopen. They never do this when the car is running or I'm driving, just when parked and the engine is off. There is a TSB about the auto folding mirrors which my VIN is covered under but the dealership couldn't reproduce the problem and couldn't find anything wrong. Other than that it's been a good experience. 3 YEAR UPDATE: I'm a little over 15K miles on my CX-9 and it continues to perform just fine. On the last routine service I had the original battery checked and it failed; the dealership replaced it under warranty. I'm still on the OEM tires. Mileage this past winter has varied from 22-25 MPG which is as good as I get. One red flag for potential pre-owned buyers is that on the Mazda 24/7 owners forum I'm following an ongoing thread about issues with this generation CX-9 with the turbo 4-cyl. Some owners are having coolant leaks due to an engine defect which requires a major repair and in some cases an entire new engine. It seems earlier model years or those with higher mileage are involved but I'm monitoring this situation closely. Caveat emptor. 4 YEAR UPDATE: I've got a little over 20K miles on my 2019 CX-9 GT FWD and continue to enjoy pretty much trouble free motoring. The electric folding mirrors continue to do strange things, the passenger side mirror stopped folding all the way in when locking the vehicle for a few months this past winter and the dealer couldn't find a problem. Lately it has been operating normally? Mileage remains about the same around 22-23 MPG and occasionally 24-25 on longer highway trips. As mentioned last time, engine problems with this generation Mazda CX-9 turbo 4 are well documented on owner's forums like Mazda 24/7; specifically a coolant leak due to a cracked cylinder head or an oil leak with both often requiring a complete engine replacement costing thousands. This is happening in higher mileage CX-9's and since they are out of warranty the owner is having to eat the cost in most cases. There are TSB's out on this known problem but no recall and affected owners are not happy. I'd advise anyone considering buying a used 2016-2022 CX-9 to do some homework on these owner's forums and know what you are getting into. I plan to ride this out until I replace my car in early 2025 since I don't drive that much and hope the lower mileage and wear and tear will spare me this problem. 5-YEAR UPDATE: Not much else to report, at ~24K miles I continue to have no difficulties with this vehicle other than the few issues with the side mirrors I've reported on before. Once in awhile the Sirius/XM tuner fails to boot up and I have to stop/re-start the car or go online and have Sirius/XM send the authentication code to the radio but this a rare occurrence. I still plan to replace it come spring 2025.

Undercover Luxury SUV

Leroy Johnson, 11/02/2018

2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I love my new 2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring trim SUV. The interior is on par with luxury brand SUVs. I looked at the Acura RDX and MDX and couldn’t justify paying the extra money for a vehicle with comparable equipment for 10K more. The ride is very quiet with very little if any road noise. My 2016 RDX had much more road noise. The handling is impressive but the ride is a little …

Excellent!

Richard, 09/29/2018

2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Just picked it up after owning a cx5 for a year. Where I felt the cx5 lacked, the cx9 picks up the slack in refinement and luxury. It is truly a joy to drive. Styling inside and out is well thought out and outside of the same old same old in mid sized suv’s. The addition of the ventilated front seats is what I was waiting for. Apple car play is another plus. This car is a head turner. My …

Love at first drive. Long term affair

Mike Knibbs, 06/06/2019

2019 Mazda CX-9 Signature 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I’d owned a grand Cherokee (nice power, ok ride, poor fuel, poor seats) and a Yukon (great utility, good power, blah driving, aweful gas mileage). Test drove Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer). Dismissed Volvo and Audi on cost and reliability. No opinion of Mazda till I drove it. Instant smiles. Now, a year or so in. I still smile. The torque is delightful. Like a diesel without …

See all 55 reviews of the Mazda CX-9

Write a vehicle review

2019 CX-9 Highlights

Trim:

Sport

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$32,280
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$177/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the CX-9 models:

Smart City Brake Support: Automatically applies emergency braking if a low-speed collision seems imminent.
Smart Brake Support: Automatically applies emergency braking if a collision seems imminent. Similar to Smart City Brake Support but activates at higher speeds.
Lane Keep Assist: Helps prevent unintentional drifting from the lane (due to driver inattention, etc.) by automatically steering car back to center of lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

People who viewed this also viewed

Mazda CX-90
3.9 average Rating out of 47 reviews.
Starting at $37,845

See Mazda CX-90 Inventory

Mazda CX-5
4.3 average Rating out of 27 reviews.
Starting at $29,300

See Mazda CX-5 Inventory

Mazda CX-50
4.3 average Rating out of 11 reviews.
Starting at $30,300

See Mazda CX-50 Inventory