I was provided with a 2017 Mazda CX-9 to test drive to facilitate this review. The opinions in this post are 100% mine. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to test drive the Mazda CX-5 for a week and totally fell in love with the car. I liked the actual car, but really just like the styling and practicality of the features, something that is a ‘brand’ thing. So I was anxious to drive another Mazda, and this time we had the Mazda CX-9 for the week.
Mazda CX-9: Favorite Features
It’s very similar to the CX-5 but it’s bigger and definitely felt a bit more luxurious. Here are some of my favorite features.
Stylish Exterior
This is just a NICE looking car. It’s got a stylish shape to it, not too boxy and definitely not minivan-esque.
As a shorter person, I really like that it feels so spacious inside but isn’t monstrous outside. The elongated hood and the tapered roofline make the CX-9 a stand-out among 3rd row SUVs.
Spacious Interior + Third-Row Seat
Having a 3rd row seat really came in handy while we had this car. My son had a soccer tournament and we couple people with us to the away game. We all plenty of room not only for ourselves but for all of our gear (and it was freezing so we had tons of blankets, coats, etc). The CX-9 comfortably seats 7, and there’s so much legroom that the kids don’t need to climb around to get to those back seats. There’s plenty of room to maneuver.
When you don’t need the additional space for the 3rd row, those seats fold down to provide a huge trunk. If you travel and need space for luggage, or all the Christmas gifts you might be taking to Grandma’s, this is the perfect sized vehicle.
Luxurious Interior
The interior of the CX-9 is seriously stunning. It comes appointed with Nappa leather and Rosewood and you feel like you’re driving a really special vehicle.
The leather steering wheel is heated, as are the front and second-row seats. I LOVE that feature during a cold Pennsylvania winter. But the one thing that’s really noticeable to me about the Mazda vehicles is that they seem to have hit that sweet spot, blending the right level of modern technology with user friendliness.
You have all the features that make the car comfortable: heated seats, satellite radio, touchscreen GPS, etc. But none of it feels overwhelming. I think that’s really important not only to be able to enjoy driving the car, but also for safety reasons. Too many buttons are too distracting.
Isn’t this leather gorgeous? I love the two-tone interior.
This view of the passenger seat gives you a better feel for how much leg room there is. Very spacious!
Safety First
There are tons of safety features on the CX-9. There are airbags everywhere, but there are also some more high-tech safety features.
There are cameras to monitor your blind spots that will ‘ding’ if there’s something or someone in your path. Lane-Keep Assist will help keep you in your lane should you start to drift. And the Active Driving Display quickly became one of my favorite features. It displays the speed limit as a projection on the window right in front of the driver. This really threw me the first time I saw it but I really came to love it. You don’t realize how far off the road you take your eyes when you look down at your speedometer. This option seems much safer.
Smooth Ride, Especially For Its Size
I’m very mindful of the size of a car. I’ve said it so many times now, but I’m 5’2″, so one thing I really like about driving an SUV is being able to have a better vantage point. I can sit up a bit and see the road better. I will say the seats on the CX-9 aren’t up terribly high, however, they are adjustable so I can get myself in just the right position to feel comfortable driving.
I’m also kind of uncomfortable driving a HUGE car on the road. I just don’t feel as in-control. Somehow the CX-9 has hit the right balance with this too. The car is very spacious inside, but I don’t feel like I’m driving a monster truck when I’m behind the wheel. If you’re looking for the space for your family, but not a ginormous car this is the perfect car.
It rides so smoothly, too. It’s quiet, comfortable, and overall just a great ride.
Learn More
Check out the Mazda site and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get more info on the CX-9 and their other vehicles. I’ve tested out a couple of Mazdas recently and I’m seriously a fan of these cars. Definitely check this one out if it has the features you’re looking for!
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