2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

The 2016 Mazda CX-9, another year and a very different review.

Mazda CX-9 in Sonic Silver Metallic. Source: Victoria Mason

At the annual WAPA Rally in October the Mazda CX-9 was my first drive of the day.  I always like to start the event off with a brand I feel comfortable with and car that doesn’t offer a ton of surprises.  While I may know Mazda, the 2016 CX-9 offered plenty of surprises the minute I opened the driver’s side door.

On the Outside

All new for 2016, the Mazda CX-9 is great to look at and offers families a lot in a 7-passenger vehicle. With 20-inch alloy wheels (standard in the Signature trim), heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and a power open/close rear lift-gate you find convenience and ease that is hard to beat. Features like rearview cameras,a lane-keep assist system, rear parking sensors and frontal collision mitigation (up to 18 mph) create a safe SUV that works for everyone. There are four trim levels from Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature.  Each one offers an attractive package that will suit a family.

Everywhere I took the CX-9 people loved it.  They had been thinking about purchasing it and had many questions.  Questions like, “How is the storage?”  “How big is the third row?” and more.

But first, let’s step inside.

When you open the doors of the CX-9 you immediately see the difference.  It doesn’t just out perform a lot of similar vehicles in its class; it offers an interior that is beautifully done.  My model had an auburn and black Nappa leather interior that contrasted nicely and looked gorgeous against the rosewood trim.

I absolutely love the interior styling of the CX-9.  Every aspect of it feels like it is moving into the luxury market and makes your drive even more pleasurable.  People who own Mazda’s love to drive and the CX-9 offers both great driveability and a high-quality interior. And who doesn’t love a 12-speaker Bose sound system?

Inside we find heated seats, a push button start engine, sport mode and a leather-wrapped steering wheel that offers good visibility to the dashboard.  Let’s start there. I love that no only did the CX-9 offer me a way to see the speed limit and my speed illuminated on the windshield but also my navigation.  The Mazda navigation system took some getting used to as far as being intuitive, but a clear, audible voice and the windshield illumination of your next navigation steps is invaluable.  The driver doesn’t have to refer to the touchscreen on the centerstack but just look straight ahead.

One thing that stood out as I drove the CX-9 over Thanksgiving was the lights.  There are a lot. From the LED headlights that move as you drive; to the automatic high beams that worked wonders on dark country roads.  As another car approaches the lights revert back to their regular setting and then immediately revert back to high beam setting once there is no more oncoming traffic.  Another autonomous car feature in our ever-changing world.  There were more lights inside.  Interior door handles and storage areas are illuminated at night for assistance.  I liked it but my husband found it distracting while in the passenger seat.  The nighttime dashboard lights are a soft white and that are easy on the eyes while being helpful.

Hitting the road and heading to grandma’s house.  Second row sunshades up, ample storage in the bench seat being used.

As for the third row and cargo space, these were the only cons I could drum up with the Mazda CX-9. While the third row was easy to climb into due to simple accessibility via the second row 60/40 split there was the issue of legroom. My eight year-old of average height felt cramped after more than thirty minutes back there.  Adults and teens will not have the room they need.

Cargo space is also compromised when the third row (50/50 split) is enabled.  The CX-9 cannot compete with its competitors in this area and that was disappointing.  As a family of five we could not take the CX-9 with us on long car trips or use it to cart around sporting equipment with all three kids or add friends.  However, I think the CX-9 makes a great car for a growing family with one or two kids.  The interior is high-end with a quiet cabin, the second row offers a lot of room and the safety features are all there.

The Drive

Driving the Mazda CX-9 still offered the driving power that consumers expect from the brand.  The steering is responsive and fluid. I could take corners with both sharpness and ease and that makes driving on a daily basis a lot of fun.  I still miss how it handles over a week later. The 2.5 Turbo engine with sport mode, Skyactiv technology and 227 hp creates a ride that is more powerful than you would think. Mazda strives to build cars that handle well and are more humanized and the CX-9 is an excellent example of both.

As tested the 2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD has an MSRP of $44,915.  Gas mileage averaged 27 highway, 21 city with 23 mpg combined.  I filled up the tank once after a full week of driving in Northern Virginia and heading down to the Northern Neck and back and all for under thirty dollars.  That’s not bad for a family hauler.  Prices for the CX-9 start at just over $31K.

*Disclosure:  TMC was not paid for this post.  Products received were provided by Driveshop.  Opinions are 100% my own.