2009 Mazda CX-9 Consumer Reviews

2009 Mazda CX-9

Written by: Dave on 10/18/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

After 5500 miles the CX-9 is proving to be an excellent family vehicle. Even the third row seats are suitable for short trips. For a 7 passenger SUV the acceleration and handling are outstanding. The interior design is up to that Acura and Audi standard. I test drove the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander. All of them are nice but the combination of price, design, size and performance made the Mazda a clear choice for my family of 5. Bottom line, I enjoy driving it and my wife appreciates the design and space for shuttling children.

Favorite Features

Interior design. Acceleration and handling. 20 inch wheels look great. The blind spot warning system has surprised me with how well it functions. It lets you know when a vehicle is in your blind spot. A nice safety feature during highway driving.

Suggested Improvements

Interior storage space is lacking, especially compared to Honda Pilot. We averaged 17 MPG in the Expedition we traded in and thought the Mazda would be significantly better but we are only averaging 19.5 MPG. Could be the dynamic nature of the CX-9 encourages rapid acceleration.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Best SUV for the Price

Written by: KeithE on 10/17/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Best 3-row SUV out there. Drove Mercedes, Lexus, Cadillac, Audi and Volvo, none compared on interior quality and exterior style to the CX- 9. Top that off with a price which was minimally $10K less than anything else, and you have a real winner. GT package does shift the ride quality to the firm side, but the handling achieved more than compensates. Car has every bell and whistle found on the "high priced badges" with better styling interior and exterior than any of them. Dealership experience has been excellent.

Favorite Features

Technology package, bluetooth, navigation, ipod capability and the incredible blind spot warning system.

Suggested Improvements

Front passenger seat needs height adjustment, several of my taller passengers consistently hit their heads on entering the car.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

great drive and ride, but cheap interior

Written by: Marriedwithkids on 10/04/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

We traded a xc90 awd as we needed more room in the back seats. Would have never thought about the Mazda cx9 beyond reading the reviews. Once my wife and I drove it we loved it. Cool looking mommy wagon without the geekness of a minivan or suv. Very fast, handles well and looks way cool.

Favorite Features

Xenons, AWD, Bluetooth, leather, acceleration

Suggested Improvements

For the top model the inside has fake cardboard carpet and the fake aluminum paint is already coming off the interior trim. Very sad to not put a few bucks into real carpet and use real aluminum.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Crossover SUV!

Written by: Mike Ferguson on 10/01/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Let me start by saying we never expected to like this vehicle so much. It was more of a "let's take a look so we can eliminate one more option". But when you get behind the wheel and give this SUV a good look trust me if you buy another SUV I will be shocked. It is as close to perfect as you will find. It is simply THE best kept secret in the mid-size SUV/Crossover market. Great size not to big not too small. Usable third row with as much legroom as many full size SUV. Great build quality. Smart engineering and logical design/layout. Drives as much like a sports car as possible in an SUV. All the safety features. Unbelievable upscale features on the Grand Touring for the money.

Favorite Features

Smart Key, Dockable DVD Gameboy system (SMART!), Good bluetooth system, Seats very comfortable, drives like an oversize RX-8!

Suggested Improvements

VERY MINOR! Rear hatch should allow the glass to open. Could you a few more storage locations inside the vehicle.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Excellent minivan replacement

Written by: eml on 09/20/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

As a replacement for our minivan (Nissan Quest), the CX-9 is nearly as versatile, just as comfortable and much more fun to drive. The acceleration is excellent, the ride is smooth and the handling makes it feel much smaller than it actually is. We've been on some 5 hour road trips with no complaints from our 2 teens in back. We've also filled the 3rd row with teen-aged friends with no complaints on in-town trips. The front seating area could use some more storage space and the mpg is merely adequate but overall this is an excellent choice for those who need a versatile carrier.

Favorite Features

Keyless Entry/start, Xenon headlights

Suggested Improvements

more storage space in front, inside front door handles should open even if door is locked, doors should lock automatically once car is in gear, inside and key-fob rear lift-gate release would be nice

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Literally a bang for your buck!

Written by: Charles Family on 09/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Picked up the Touring AWD on 9/15/09. All I can say is that Mazda has the gem of 2009 here. Forget Toyota and Ford, test drive the CX-9 and you will be in for a shock. There are items that come standard in this puppy that you would have to get as options on anything else. With the dealer incentives (4k) you are driving away with a vehicle that would cost 40 large anywhere else! Factor in the end of Model year and dealerships trying to get rid of inventory.. there is just a ton of value here! Our 3 kids love this vehicle for the space and the wife adores it because it literally drives like a car. Before you buy anything else.. Test drive the Mazda CX-9

Favorite Features

Movable Second Row seats, heated front seats, 50/50 third row. Bose sound system, moon roof.. List just goes on!

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage, but seriously its a SUV can I really complain when most competing vehicles are doing less than 15 highway? This is the best in class CUV for crying out loud.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

I now understand 'zoom-zoom'

Written by: Dave in N.Texas on 09/19/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Its hard to believe this is an SUV. It handles superbly and feels solid as a rock. I'm comfortable knowing my wife and kids use this full time. Much better than the competition for handling/ride at this price level. Surprisingly smooth and comfortable but could still use some improvements comfort wise. A superb value though all things considered. Hopefully reliability will be better than predicted and compare better with Toyota and others.

Favorite Features

Feel/handling amazing; dual dim/color dash lights; keyless entry is the bomb; lots of space in the back for cargo; smooth shifting; great ext paint job (red); Its really a surprise, it's a GREAT vehicle.

Suggested Improvements

BETTER MPG! Bose sound is so-so. Should NOT lock drivers door/windows when locks engaged (should be able to override w/o having to unlock). COMPASS (honor your own specs Mazda USA!) Lack of interior storage is a problem (huge console, no better storage? huh?); intrusive headrests

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Car for Families

Written by: Oklahoma Owner on 09/15/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Drove home in intense storm, but CX-9 took it all in stride while other cars pulled to the side. Seats are outstanding for long hauls. Able to have normal conversations at freeway speeds. Car never feels tippy despite having 8 inches of ground clearance. At 200 inches, it is a long vehicle, but doesn't feel that way. Bose stereo is weak on highs, but midrange sounds good when connected to an ipod. Feels german in driving experience.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth connectivity, Sliding/Reclining 2nd row, Lots of Cupholders, Excellent seats, Quietness, Storage Space, Sport feel

Suggested Improvements

Rear view camera standard

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Best in this Class

Written by: BV on 09/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I was looking to replace a 2004 MDX. The newer MDX while very impressive is mid 50s with all options....Ouch! The dash of the new MDX has way too much going on. The CX9 was a surprise for sure. For what you get this is by far the best in the larger 3rd row SUVs. Many people actually see this rig and think it is a Lexus. You don't see as many of the cx9s on the road and I cannot figure out why. We have three small children and did not want to go mini-van.

Favorite Features

Interior finish, bluetooth, Bose, Sirius. Great looking profile of exterior. Blind spot detectors

Suggested Improvements

Can't enter Navi unless in 'P'(I think this is standard these days). No cargo cover for the loaded GT with power liftgate....What's up with that Mazda?

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Happy with purchase of CX9

Written by: Kansas Girl on 09/03/2009

Vehicle

2009 Mazda CX-9 Sport 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Love the cx9! We test drove several cars until we decided to purchase a cx9. We need the room of a minivan, but wanted something to please our teenage children. They also love it! It drives like a car, similar to mazda6. It is a large roomy suv, but feels smaller than it is. We love using it for our children sport events, easy to bring cooler and gear for needed for games. The sport version of the CX9 is a great value, you get many standard features for your money.

Favorite Features

drives like a car, lots of room, split 50/50 seats in rear

Suggested Improvements

fuel economy, more small storage compartments for small items. Lock window button should not also lock driver's window.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post