| Model year | 2010 |
| Make | Mazda |
| Model | CX-9 |
| Style | Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A) |
| Base MSRP | $34,795 |
| Options on test vehicle | Rear Entertainment System ($3,055 -- includes 9-inch monitor and DVD player; Bose audio featuring Centerpoint with 11 speakers; 5.1 audio surround sound; single in-dash CD player; audio-video input; 115-volt outlet; Sirius Satellite Radio with 6-month complimentary subscription); Navigation System ($1,655 -- includes voice-activated DVD navigation system with 7-inch touchscreen with real-time traffic functionality); Power Rear Hatch ($400); Rear Bumper Step Plate ($150). |
| As-tested MSRP | $40,065 |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Engine type | V6 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,726cc (227 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.3 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,500 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 273 @ 6,250 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 270 @ 4,250 |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I: 4.148; II: 2.370; III: 1.555; IV: 1.154; V: 0.859; VI: 0.685; R: 3.393; Final: 3.454 |
| Suspension, front | MacPherson strut |
| Suspension, rear | Multilink |
| Steering type | Speed-proportional power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 16.3:1 |
| Tire brand | Bridgestone |
| Tire model | Dueler H/L/ 400 |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | P245/50R20 V |
| Tire size, rear | P245/50R20 V |
| Wheel size | 20-by-7.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Ventilated disc |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.2 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 7.9 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 11.9 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 15.9 @ 87.7 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 7.6 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 123 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 61.4 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.78 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 43.8 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 64.3 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 57.4 |
| Acceleration comments | Decent 0-60 time in this car: under 8 seconds. Leaves the line with zero wheelspin and jams through the first two gears fairly quickly. Ample power for a thing this big. Best run in Drive. Manual shifting control is nice for engine braking but doesn't improve acceleration. Overall, a solid powertrain performance here. |
| Braking rating | Very Good |
| Braking comments | Solid, consistent pedal feel during every stop. Very good for an SUV. Short distance as well. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | Mazda's newly adopted non-defeat stability control (it reactivates at 18 mph) strategy is wholly unnecessary in an SUV with such respectable manners. It significantly diminishes both slalom speed and lateral grip on the skid pad, where it can become heavily and unexpectedly intrusive very quickly. Otherwise, steering feel and chassis response are quite good and inspire confidence to actually drive the CX-9 hard. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 57.5 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 0.94 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 15 city/21 highway |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 18.0 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 20.1 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 4,500 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 4,555 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 56.2/43.8 |
| Length (in.) | 199.8 |
| Width (in.) | 76.2 |
| Height (in.) | 68.0 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 113.2 |
| Track, front (in.) | 65.1 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 64.7 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 37.4 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 40.9 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 39.8 |
| Legroom, 3rd row (in.) | 32.4 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 39.6 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 39.0 |
| Headroom, 3rd row (in.) | 35.4 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 59.4 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 58.7 |
| Shoulder room, 3rd row (in.) | 56.9 |
| Seating capacity | 7 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 17.2 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 100.7 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard dual front |
| Head airbags | Standard front, rear and third row |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Blind spot warning |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | 5 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | 5 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | 5 stars |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | 5 stars |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | 4 stars |
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