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2007 Mazda CX-9 Road Test

Mazda’s all-new crossover sport utility vehicle goes on sale in February. TheCX-9 will be the largest SUV in Mazda’s lineup, overshadowing the similarly shaped CX-7 and the more traditional looking Tribute. While the Tribute is Mazda’s entry-level SUV and the CX-7 is the sport-oriented brother, the CX-9 will represent the classy and mature side of the three musketeers of SUVs. This is something that becomes apparent once looking at the lines of its exterior, and even more clear with the design and high level of quality inside.

While the CX-9 looks very similar to the CX-7, the two are quite different vehicles. Side by side the 9 is much larger than the 7, and emits a more elegant and refined look. For an SUV built with North America's middle class in mind, the exterior and interior styling of the top-level CX-9 Grand Touring model rivals that of several luxury brand SUVs. Not bad considering that the entry-level CX-9 Sport will set you back $29,630,

Sleek shape finds itself on the bigger CX-9. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

while a Grand Touring, with all its optional luxuries and accessories added on will cause you to drop $41,347 out of your wallet if you fall for its elegant shape and alluring details.

The front fog lights are split in half with a strip of chrome similar to theMazdaspeed3 design. Headlights look much like those on the CX-7, although they use a crystal styled HID system rather than the sportier projector look. Build quality as well as fit and finish are solid. Many car companies have loose fitting lights, grilles or fog lights, which flex and bend whenever any kind of pressure is laid to them. On the CX-9, however, all trim and add-ons are securely fastened and

Sleek headlights... (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

all lines are flush and straight. Massive 18-inch aluminum wheels are mounted on the base Sport model, while the Grand Touring gets a near ridiculous set of 20-inch wheels.

Safety-wise, the CX-9 employs all the usual electrified driver aids. Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Anti-locking brakes are hardly out of the ordinary in this class, but the CX-9 is now the first Mazda to utilize Roll-over Stability Control combined with roll-over sensing air curtains. This is a system that has proven successful with Volvo, and has been passed through Ford to Mazda.

Inside, the CX-9 is a treat to the eyes. The design of theinterior is very edgy and incorporates appealing shapes and architectural joints between console and other trim pieces. Mazda has done a great

Interior may seem familiar, but it's all-new, and very well finished. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

job melding two-tone colors with a variety of textures, while making the silver and woodgrain trim work well to complement the environment. Gray, honeycomb textured strips are inserted into the leather seats, working well to keep everything simple yet intriguing. In the rear storage area, golf was obviously on the minds of the designers as side trimming is cut back to fit in a couple sets of clubs easily.

Stereo and climate control operation are located on the center dash console,where everything is laid out very well. Visually appealing, all the controls are extremely simple to use. Read-outs for the controls are all displayed on a screen at the top of the dash, which makes adjusting everything much safer as eyes won’t have to stray too far from the road ahead. The gauge cluster, on the other hand, is a bit sparse, with only the basic four

More blue and red for the instruments. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

read-outs of speed, revs, gas and engine temperature. A glow of red and blue emits from the instruments, making them look modern, but they lack some of the style that has been employed throughout the rest of the interior. Like the exterior, the fit and finish of the cabin is top quality. All trim is securely attached, and the operation of controls feels solid and accurate.

Seating and steering wheel feel are both good, and allow for several different driving styles. The steering wheel is tilt and telescopically adjustable, while the driver’s seat features 8-way power adjustability with 3 memory settings, making it possible to find that ideal setting. The front passenger seat only has 4 power adjustments, while the 2nd row comes equipped with the ability to manually slide each seat front to rear, plus recline the backrests.

CX-9 is also Mazda’s first vehicle to offer 3rd row seating, with the ability toaccommodate up to 7 adults. Entry into the

Rear seats have a lot of space; this Mazda has a third row too. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

3rd row is surprisingly easy, which is noteworthy since most vehicles with third row seating usually require rear passengers to be yoga veterans in order to contort their bodies enough to slip past the second row. Mazda, however, has left 9 inches of clearance, which may not sound like a lot, but nevertheless makes the CX-9’s 3rd row one of the easiest to get into that I've tried. Designers have also raised the hip position of the 3rd row's lower cushions to combat the “knee’s to the chest” seating position often required of adults when relegated to the rear. This helps in the legroom department, if only slightly, although it does make headroom a problem. I am only five foot ten, and the back of my head was firmly butting up against the roof's lower slope. I would hate to see anyone taller endure these seats, but I suppose they're meant more for children anyways.

So, how does the CX-9 hold itself on the road? Well, Mazda wants theCX-9 to be a nimble, fun to drive SUV. In both cases it does well for its class, but doesn't quite reach the

20-inch wheels come standard on the Grand Touring model. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

abilities of more performance oriented SUVs, like the CX-7. When matched to a more traditional truck-based sport 'ute, the CX-9’s low and wide stance gives it a firm planted ride, with no signs of top-heavy roll. The AWD system works well to keep everything in line, even when under emergency braking or cornering; the back end behaved itself intently. The steering was a little vague, and therefore I'd like to see its reaction to input tightened up a little to give more accurate feel for the road.

Reaction to throttle input shouldn't be as much of a concern, mind you, as the CX-9 employs the all-new 3.5L V6 also found in the Ford Edge and other Ford/Lincoln products. When mounted in the CX-9, and mated with its 6-speed automatic transmission, the 3.5L revs well and accelerates the vehicle admirably. The automatic gearbox, with sport shift capability, is the only transmission available, and ratios are well suited for the vehicle's weight and the engine's power delivery, getting the CX-9 moving when needed. Shifting is also much smoother than I’ve found with most rival SUVs. Also similar to competitors in this class, and there are many, the Sport, Touring and

Effortless performance; an entertaining way of moving seven. (Photo: Budd Stanley, American Auto Press)

Grand Touring models come standard with front-wheel drive and have the option of an AWD system. So equipped, the front wheels get 100 percent of the engine's power until they begin to slip. Once slippage occurs, the center differential can distribute up to 50 percent of the drivetrain's torque to the rear wheels. All said, it does what it needs to do. It won't take you into and out of the deepest, darkest corners of a tropical rain forest, but it certainly will get you and the family home from the ski slope without fault.

Overall it was a very mature ride. Smooth operation coupled with good looks and a little bit of performance pep should see the CX-9 doing well in the growing crossover SUV market segment. It's a vehicle designed for an older family that may want something a little more appealing than a minivan, as trends indicate, yet something to set them apart from the run-of-the-mill SUV crowd. Although the big sticker on the CX-9, and any large SUV for that matter, will be the painful trips to the gas station, those in this market will be well aware of this and ready to dole out the plastic. No doubt, some who are leaving their full-size, V8-powered behemoths behind will find Mazda's largest thrifty in comparison. For these, the CX-9 is a dream come true.

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