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We are in fact trading big people mover places here at MotorWeek as this Mazda CX-9 gets comfortable for its year long stay.
Rather than a pure luxury play, the 7-passenger CX-9 pitch involves the retentions of sporty pretensions along with excellent versatility.
After a recent 1,200 mile run up to New England for some leaf peeping, we certainly were impressed with the strong response from the newly up-rated 273 horsepower 3.7-liter V6, and fine fuel economy of 21.6 miles-per-gallon of regular.
Our only beefs so far involve a rather insensitive keyless entry system. You have to be quite close for it to work properly. Otherwise, winter here we come, in our Mazda CX-9.
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Infusing a utility vehicle with sportiness is usually just a marketing claim. But, we've found there is more than a little of Mazda's famed "Zoom-Zoom" in the CX-9 7-passenger crossover utility.
Especially in the engine bay, where the upgraded 3.7-liter V6 pulls the CX-9 with more authority than anything else in its class. But, the price paid is in fuel economy - 17.6 miles-per-gallon of regular after 2 months and 4,000 miles mostly around town.
But, boy is it a different story on long trips. 21 MPG plus gas mileage in a comfortable and competent package that's more sedan than SUV. Too bad the metallic interior trim is so easily scratched. But, we've grown very fond of the low intrusive Blind Spot Monitoring system.
Now, it's on to winter travel for the CX-9, and a chance to give its all-wheel drive system a real workout.
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A sporting manner is even rarer in a large crossover utility, but it's standard equipment on the 7-passenger Mazda CX-9. Indeed, Mazda puts plenty of "Zoom-Zoom" in all of their products. Moreover, the CX-9 ranks among the most versatile and comfortable of its type - and safe. The Blind Spot Monitoring System has saved us from ourselves more than once.
Much of the CX-9's confidence inspiring drive is due to the robust 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6. But, you do pay for its energetic nature with mediocre fuel economy. We're averaging 18.0 miles-per-gallon of regular after 4 months and nearly 10,000 miles.
We have also noticed the CX-9 is more susceptible to cross winds than some rivals, and interstate expansion joints produce quite a bit of freeway hop. But then the slightly stiff all-independent suspension pays off nicely when the roads grow narrow and curved.
Among the rapidly growing field of large crossover utility vehicles, the Mazda CX-9 is one of the few designed to satisfy both the passengers and the driver.
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Cheaper gas has sparked renewed interest in larger sport utilities. But fortunately that attention is directed more towards car-like crossovers than old-school truck-style UTES. New wave models like our Mazda CX-9 combine large capacity, in this case 7-passenger or over 100 cubic feet of cargo space with fuel economy that makes more sense. We've averaged 18 miles-per-gallon of regular after 6 months and 13,500 miles. While not stellar it's still 15-20 percent better than truck-based utilities of similar size.
And while you can't tow as much, our CX-9's 273-horsepower 3.7 liter V6 can still pull 3,500 pounds of trailer when needed. Seat comfort, road noise and great sound system get kudos from every driver. Family types note that full loads don't compromise the good ride and handling. But those conditions do cause the powertrain to struggle on hills.
Still if you are looking around at vehicles that can carry large but do so on less fuel, the Mazda CX-9 is a great choice.
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Summer is prime time for larger family crossovers utilities like our 2009 Mazda CX-9. With 7-passenger capacity, over 100 cubic feet of cargo space, high tech safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring, the CX-9 is the perfect vacation companion.
After 7 months, and some 17,000 miles, we'll also praise the CX-9's ride, handling, and the abundant power its 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 provides. On the other hand, it's 18.2 mile per regular gallon fuel economy, while better than a truck-style SUV, is still less than we expected.
The only other negative for long trips is too much freeway hop over expansion joints. Otherwise, we just can't wait to get away from it all in our Mazda CX-9.
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Summer vacations and long distance crew hauling are really keeping our 2009 Mazda CX-9 Crossover up on its tires.
After 10 months, and nearly 20,000 miles, we give high marks to the CX-9's combination of agile handling, and abundant power from its 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6.
Disappointments include a ride that doesn't handle freeway expansion joints well, and fuel economy of only 18.3 miles per gallon of regular. We had hoped for at least 20.
But, our CX-9 has been fault free, and with 7-passenger capacity, over 100 cubic feet of cargo space and high tech safety features like Blind Spot Monitoring, the CX-9 is a near-perfect hauler for work and play.
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With 12 months and nearly 24,000 miles under its tires, our time with this all-wheel drive Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring crossover utility has come to an end. With its rare combination of large capacity and driver enjoyment, the CX-9 is much more than just a big box on wheels.
Even when fully loaded, handling is more on the level of a car than any truck. We found the 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 to be more than up to its task, even though it is thirsty. At 18.4 miles per gallon of regular, its fuel economy fell short of expectations.
We had no mechanical problems, and given its grind, that's saying a lot. But the handling prowess of the CX-9 did have a small price-a very thumpy ride over interstate expansion joints.
But when it comes to comfortably handling 7 passengers or over 100 cubic feet of cargo, the Mazda CX-9 is a practical treat we'll miss.
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