autoevolution
 

MAZDA CX-9 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 5
First production year: 2007
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
MAZDA CX-9 photo gallery

Mazda understood that despite offering a good MPV on the market, the Premacy, the SUVs, and the cross-overs are the future. And it combined these two types of vehicles.

Developed on the new Skyactive platform, the 2016 CX-9 was the second generation of the big SUV built by Mazda, mostly for the U.S. market. It combined the look of a sporty SUV, such as the CX5, with a minivan's utility, such as the Premacy. That should've made everyone happy.

Designing an SUV with three rows of seats in a package that should look like a regular SUV was never easy, but the Japanese designers did it. The 5 meters (199 in) vehicle disguised the three seats in a usual, BMW X5-like form with flowing lines and a massive front grille that attracted attention more than the third row of side windows and the thick D-pillar. The CX-9 headlights resembled those installed on the Mazda 6 sedan, or those on the CX5 with their slim, curved shape barely seen between the hood and the very tall bumper.

Inside, the dashboard resembled the one in the MX5 or the 3, with an infotainment screen placed on top of the panel and a three-dial instrument cluster. The tall center console placed between the front seats inspired the driver to feel like it was a sports car, despite the high seating position. To access the middle and the last row of seats the rear doors were longer than those found on the CX5 model.

Under the hood, the CX-9 featured only one engine option, a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four unit paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Mazda offered the 7-seat SUV either with a front- or all-wheel-drive system.

full description and technical specifications
MAZDA CX-9 photo gallery

Awarded with the Top Safety Pick +Award in the U.S. by the IIHS, the second generation of the biggest Mazda on the market was upscaled toward the premium segment.

After the split with Ford in December 2008, Mazda made its way in the automotive world with a new design and unrestrained by using someone else engines and transmissions. The Mazda 6 was the start of a new era and, with a new design and the new SkyActiv technology, it managed to bring impressive cars on the market.

The CX-9 was one of the vehicles that started from the Mazda 6 platform, but it was built as an SUV with a permanent all-wheel-drive. The front fascia resembled the compact-SUV CX-5 and, due to a longer wheelbase, it could accommodate up to seven passengers inside. The raked A-pillar was similar to a sporty station wagon than to an SUV.

Inside, the front seats were slimmer to allow bigger legroom for the middle row passengers. In the back, there was enough room for children. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 came with a seven or eight-inch Mazda Connect touchscreen infotainment system. It could also have been controlled with voice commands or a control knob. An additional, 4.6” TFT screen was installed between the gauges, for the driver.

Under the hood, the CX-9 featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine mated to a standard 6-speed automatic. It was offered as an all-wheel-drive only.

full description and technical specifications
MAZDA CX-9 photo gallery

Mazda’s flagship model, the 7-passenger crossover was updated for 2013.

The CX-9 featured a completely redesigned front and back, following the Mazda’s new Kodo design.

At the front, the new headlights looked more like an eagle’s eyes, while at the back, the updated taillights contributed to the more modern look of the CX-9, along with the dual exhaust and the bigger bumper.

The CX-9 was built on a platform similar to the Ford’s Explorer. Actually, the CX-9 had the underpinnings of a Ford, wrapped under a Japanese package.

Available in two trim levels, the GS and the GT, the CX-9 had a starting price of around $34,000, respectively, $47,000. Not the cheapest crossover on the market at the time.

The GS trim level came with a standard front-wheel-drive system, while the GT offered a standard all-wheel-drive system.

Standard 20-inch alloys came with the GT trim level, while the GS offered 18-inch alloys.

The approach on the inside was rather simple, with clear control for everything.

Part of the packages were a backup camera, a bluetooth system and a 5.8-inch screen.

The dashboard was similar to the CX-7’s and very different from the CX-5’s.

The seats were comfortable and offered plenty of room, even for the passengers in the 3rd row. The access to the 3rd row was made easy, users having to use only one hand to recline the seat on the 2nd row.

One of the engines mounted on the CX-9 was a 3.7-liter V6 engine that developed 273 hp. Compared to Ford’s models, the CX-9 offered plenty of power as standard, while a Ford Edge had a standard 3.5-liter engine and users would need to pay more to get a more powerful one.

full description and technical specifications
MAZDA CX-9 photo gallery

After three years on the market, Mazda’s largest SUV, the CX-9, went through a mild facelift that added some exterior enhancements and, more importantly, interior upgrades.

Built on the same platform as the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKZ, the CX-9 followed a different design approach than its American siblings. Even if the vehicle was developed at a time when Ford Motor Company largely owned it, it had its freedom of choice regarding design language. Mazda kept its bio-design trend with curved panels and fluid lines, which were also shared by the Mazda 6 and the CX-7. Surprisingly, even though the market was shrinking due to the world financial crisis, the CX-9 sold well. Mazda saw a rise in the sales of the CX-9s in 2010 compared to 2009, a trend that continued until the 2013 facelift.

Mazda re-worked the entire front fascia of the CX-9 for the 2010 model year. The upper grille was adorned with a surrounding chromed trim. In contrast, its predecessor featured just a single horizontal shiny part on the upper side. Moreover, the lower bumper received a broad trapezoidal air intake crossed by a chromed horizontal slat. The same shiny elements were also noticed on the side scoops that housed the fog lamps. Last but not least, the new headlights completed the image of Mazda’s largest SUV.

From its profile, the CX-9 revealed its fresh styling cues and improvements. The door mirrors were completely new door mirror caps fitted with turn signals on their lower side. Like its predecessor, it featured a set of black, unpainted side sills that made the car look slimmer. Just like the 2007 model year, the 2010 version came with chromed trims around the windows line, while the B- and C-pillars were kept black. At the back, the raked forward tailgate kept the same shape, but the most significant difference was for the rear taillights, which featured a clear upper section for the reversing lights. Previously, those occupied the lower section.

Inside, the bolstered front seats were separated by a clean-designed center console that featured a few storage areas and a pair of cup holders. The driver fronted the same three-spoke steering wheel and the analog instrument cluster that featured a binocular style with the speedometer and tachometer flanking a narrow TFT display and, next to them, the fuel and coolant temperature gauges. One of the most significant upgrades brought by Mazda’s SUV was the audio system, which received standard Bluetooth connectivity. Mazda offered the CX-9 with up to seven seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. The middle and the rearmost rows could fold flat to expand the trunk space.

Under the hood, Mazda kept the same 3.7-liter V6 provided by Ford and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The automaker offered the vehicle with either a front- or an all-wheel-drive system and independent suspension in all corners.

full description and technical specifications
MAZDA CX-9 photo gallery

When Mazda introduced its seven-seat SUV CX-9 in 2006, it was the most expensive vehicle from its lineup, but in turn, it delivered more than anyone had expected.

The Japanese automaker launched its largest SUV at the 2006 New York Autoshow as a 2007 model and built it on top of Ford's CD3 platform shared with the Edge. But it was not a rebadged version of its American cousin. Instead, it featured Mazda's Zoom-Zoom design philosophy reflected both in the car's look and how it was felt by its customers.

In 2001, Mazda's design team was led by Moray Callum, brother of Ian Callum, who penned many Aston Martin and Jaguar cars. Moray's task was to refresh the Japanese automaker lineup, and the CX-9 is a good example of his work. The swept-back headlights that flanked a pentagonal, wide grille adorned by a horizontal chromed slat at the top were very bold for the SUV segment. The front fascia looked more appropriate for a sports car. In addition, the lower bumper featured an even broader grille flanked by fog lights. The SUV featured three rows of windows from its profile, with a slightly sloped-down roofline towards the racked-forward tailgate. At the back, the CX-9 featured clear taillights.

Inside, the automaker installed a rounded-shaped dashboard with an instrument cluster filled with four round dials. Mazda placed an infotainment unit fitted with a sat-nav on the center stack. To further enhance the car's occupants, the sound was provided by a Bose sound system. The front bucket seats featured bolstered seats, while the second row was fitted with a bench profiled for two occupants but wide enough to fit three. In addition, two jump seats were provided in the trunk area, suitable for brief jaunts.

Under the hood, Mazda installed Ford's 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox supplied by Aisin.

full description and technical specifications