2021 Mazda CX-9 Review

Name: 2021 Mazda CX-9
Brand: Mazda

Price Range: $16,695 - $29,998

Mazda CX-9 Carbon Edition 4dr SUV Exterior

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is one of the more distinctive three-row midsize SUVs, prioritizing style and driving experience. It also comes closest to closing the gap with the luxury brands with its impressive cabin materials and design. It falls short when it comes to cargo, utility and third-row accommodations, which seem like important things on a midsize-SUV shopper's list, and a big reason why it isn't higher up the ranks.

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Average price: $25,078

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Appraise My 2021 Mazda CX-9

Pros

Premium interior, especially in the top-level Signature trim
Strong acceleration and sporty handling
Comfortable and quiet on the highway
Thoughtfully equipped even in base Sport trim

Cons

Less cargo capacity than competitors
Third-row seats aren't especially accommodating

What's new

New 10.25-inch central display screen with latest Mazda infotainment system is standard
New Carbon Edition trim with special paint and red leather
Signature trim has new grille and partially quilted leather seats
Minor feature changes throughout lineup
Part of the second CX-9 generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Updated: 11/4/2020

Emphasizing style and performance over outright utility, the rakishly penned and turbocharged 2021 Mazda CX-9 is alluring and upscale for a three-row midsize crossover SUV. Sure, it gives up some cargo and third-row passenger space in exchange for its attractive looks, but if you don't need the maximum measurements for either metric, the trade-off might prove worthwhile.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

41 listings

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New Listing
2021 Mazda CX-9
Grand Touring 4dr SUV
$28,998
fair price
$699 above market
- 25,900 miles
- 7 Seats, 20 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- 3 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Sterling, VA
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency and pricing without document or processing fees. Certain cars may hav...
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
JM3TCBDY1M0537649
Stock:
70042014
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Price Drop
2021 Mazda CX-9
Carbon Edition 4dr SUV
$26,140
- 39,818 miles
- 6 Seats, 20 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- 18 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
ADDED 3 MONTH/3,000 MILE GOLD CHECK WARRANTY!!, CARBON EDITION!!, CX-9 Carbon Edition, 4D Sport Utility, AWD, Polymetal Gray, Memory seat, Power drive...
Vehicle History:
1 accident, 2 owners, personal use
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
JM3TCBDY5M0536102
Stock:
MV40378A
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-17-2026

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This year, the 2021 Mazda CX-9 adds new infotainment technology, while the top-of-the-line Signature trim level moves deeper into premium territory with a fancy new grille and quilted leather seats. A more affordable alternative is the new CX-9 Carbon Edition, which gets a blacked-out look combined with unique paint, exclusive interior appointments and plenty of equipment.

As is true of any Mazda, the 2021 CX-9 is enjoyable to drive, a rarity in this segment. Be sure to examine our in-depth Expert Rating to learn all of the pros and cons of this appealing SUV.

What's it like to live with?

When Mazda last redesigned the CX-9 for the 2016 model year, we decided to perform a one-year test of the family hauler. Over the course of 22,000 miles, we learned plenty about what's great about the CX-9, and what's not. Be sure to dive deeper into our everyday experiences with the Mazda CX-9, which impressed us more than it depressed us.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Mazda CX-9 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the CX-9 drive? The Mazda CX-9 feels like a smaller midsize SUV in many ways, including the way it drives. It's a bit more athletic than competitors on a winding road, with confident brake response, and it's easy to maneuver in tighter confines. The AWD system is tuned mainly for inclement road conditions, but it can handle your weekend "soft-roading" excursions.

There's a sufficient amount of power on tap that's available right off the line, delivering great response when you need to get going. Accelerating to 60 mph takes 7.6 seconds, which is good for a three-row midsize SUV, and the transmission shifts smoothly, making for a seamless daily driver experience.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the CX-9? Whether you're commuting or taking a long road trip, the CX-9 delivers a good degree of comfort. Much of the credit goes to the smooth ride, which strikes a balance between sporty and compliant. Taller tire sidewalls contribute to this balance, helping provide cushion against road imperfections. Inside, the CX-9 has well-sculpted front seats that offer ample support, but it's worth noting the third row is quite small and not as comfortable as many competitors' back rows. The cabin, however, is luxury-level quiet, which is impressive.

Our test car's climate control is easy to use, but it might not blow cold enough if you have polar bear blood running through your veins. The heated and ventilated front seats work decently, and rear passengers have access to climate controls for their area.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The 2020 Mazda CX-9's interior is thoughtfully designed, simple and elegant, and a benchmark for non-luxury SUVs. The primary controls are easy to reach and use. The main control dial is instantly intuitive and provides quick navigation within the menus of the sharp-looking 9-inch infotainment display.

Getting in and out of the CX-9 is easy, and access to the third row is much improved thanks to new second-row captain's chairs available in the Signature trim. The first and second rows have a good amount of room, but the third row is best reserved for kids. Visibility isn't quite as open as in other SUVs because of the CX-9's thickish pillars and a rear window that's on the smaller side.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The Bose stereo system, found in the Grand Touring trims and up, delivers clear and powerful sound. 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 — six total in our top trim. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on Touring models and up.

All CX-9s come loaded with advanced safety and driver aids such as adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and lane keeping assist. They're well tuned to deal with heavy traffic, and false alarms are rare. Adaptive cruise and lane keeping work well to relieve the burden of heavy traffic.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? The CX-9 falls behind the competition in cargo and utility. The 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row could be adequate for many shoppers, but for comparison, there's 21 cubic feet in the class-leading Kia Telluride. Max cargo is equally short, with 71.2 cubic feet in the CX-9 and 87 cubes in the Telluride.

Thoughtful interior design makes the CX-9 easy to live with, and growing families should find adequate space for all their things. Door pockets and cupholders are nicely sized. Car seats are easy to install with the second-row captain's chairs. There's a good amount of room for any size car seat, even large rear-facing ones. If you plan to do much towing, the CX-9 doesn't lead in that area, maxing out at a lower-than-average 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA fuel economy rating for our all-wheel-drive CX-9 is 23 mpg combined (20 city/26 highway), which is slightly better than average for this class. The 2WD version is rated at 24 mpg combined (22 city/28 highway). We were mostly able to hit those fuel economy targets, but they can be easy to miss if you're heavy-footed. If saving money is more of a priority than max engine power, the CX-9 has the ability to run on regular octane fuel.

Value

7.5/10

Is the CX-9 a good value? The CX-9 is definitely among the leaders in terms of its build quality, especially in top Signature trim. The base CX-9 starts around $35,000, slightly above average, but it offers more standard features. It's priced fairly competitively at the top end, and the interior closely resembles a luxury-class cabin thanks to exquisite materials, uniform gaps and clean, elegant design. The exterior paint is well done too.

Warranty coverage and ownership benefits such as roadside assistance are pretty standard for the class.

Wildcard

8/10

The Mazda CX-9 Signature is a standout in the three-row midsize SUV class, mostly for its striking design and relatively engaging driving experience. It feels decently athletic through corners but not at the expense of ride comfort. It's the most original offering in the segment.

2021 Mazda CX-9 trim level differences

For 2021, the Mazda CX-9 lineup expands by one trim level. The new Carbon Edition drops into the lineup above the base Sport and midlevel Touring grades and below the upscale Grand Touring and near-luxury Signature trims. Compare the 2021 Mazda CX-9 trim levels in-depth.

Which CX-9 trim does Edmunds recommend?

If you're looking for the best combination of value and equipment, the CX-9 Touring is easy to recommend. Choose between front- and all-wheel drive, a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, and the maximum number of paint and interior color combinations. Leather seats are standard, along with triple-zone automatic climate control and the CX-9's new infotainment system. An option package adds premium sound, second-row window shades and wireless device charging.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$245/mo

$296/mo

Avg. Large SUV

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Reliability

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #4 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above 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

$480/yr

vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Frequency

1.57x/yr

vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Severity

13.8%

vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 21V750000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 5221I
Number of vehicles affected:: 8648
Defect Description:: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Defect Consequence:: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Mazda CX-9 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

36 reviews

5(69%)

4(5%)

3(11%)

2(8%)

1(7%)

See all 36 reviews of the Mazda CX-9

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 CX-9 Features & Specs

Trim:

Sport

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$34,160
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$245/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the CX-9 models:

Smart City Brake Support: Automatically applies forward or reverse emergency braking if a low-speed collision seems imminent. Includes forward pedestrian detection.
Smart Brake Support: Automatically applies forward emergency braking if a collision seems imminent. Similar to Smart City Brake Support but activates at higher speeds.
Lane Keep Assist: Steers the CX-9 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker.

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
Poor
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good