Driven: 2017 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

Still, they press on with such technologies as Skyactiv, and rotary engines, and MazdaSpeed refinement. Combining many of those technologies have enabled them to push to the next level, going big-time with the 2016 Mazda CX9 Signature AWD.

Fans of the brand should not get discouraged though, with their move upmarket. We found a little something for everyone, during our time with the new CX9.

Like it is

The 2016 Mazda CX9 Signature AWD SUV is a three-row, seven-passenger, all-wheel-drive SUV from the maker of the beloved MX5 Miata sports car. Long known for fun-to-drive vehicles, Mazda has developed the second-generation CX9 to keep much of that vibe intact, while pushing the envelope towards the higher (near-luxury) end of the spectrum, at least farther than they have done in the past.

Powered by the new Skyactiv-G 2.5T direct-injection four-cylinder engine, it employs Mazda’s Dynamic Pressure Turbo, which produces low and high-range intake pulses. Making 227-horsepower (250 hp with 93-octane petrol), it acts similar to twin-scroll turbos found in other brands but produces throttle response that is 20- to 25-percent faster than those examples, especially at speeds below 1,500 rpm. This configuration pushes the engine off the line quicker using low-pressure valves, which minimize turbo-lag, and then switching to higher-pressure valves to continue to the top part of the powerband.

With Mazda’s Hiroshima-based engineers working smarter, rather than harder, they have developed a 4-3-1 exhaust manifold which joins the two center exhaust ports (2 and 3) together as one, while the outer cylinders (1 and 4) each have their own ports. They all come together at the turbo’s exhaust side, which sees one exhaust pulse occur with every half-spin of the crankshaft. According to Mazda, it keeps the exhaust pulses coming at a steady pace, and assists with sucking the exhaust pulse from the next port. The net result of this ingenuity is 310 lb-ft of torque at a barely-there 2,000 rpm. This power goes to all four wheels via a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Going further, Mazda realized a weight reduction of approximately 200-pounds in the FWD version and nearly 287-pounds when equipped with predictive iActiv AWD, which allowed for better chassis dynamics, and performance over the previous version. This allowed them to install 53-pounds of sound-deadening material to make the CX9 one of the quietest in the class.

Bodyworks, inside and out

Our CX9 sample possessed good looks from nearly every angle. Redesigned for this second-gen version, it included sleeker sidelines and a revision to the grill and fascia that brings it more in line with most other Mazdas in the lineup. It’s just the thing to wage battle against the likes of the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Hyundai Santa Fe.

The CX9 is offered in four trims ranging from Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature models. Sport includes standard 18-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, tri-zone automatic climate control, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, 60:40 split middle row and 50:50 third-row seat and rearview camera among the main features. The Touring model adds a power liftgate, blind-spot monitor, leather eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and eight-inch infotainment display. The Grand Touring version ups the ante with 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, a head up display, aluminum interior trim, and a navigation system.

Our Signature model was all-in and included a beautiful auburn colored leather interior with real rosewood trim direct from Japanese luthier, Fujigen. Known through the years as builders of guitars for brands such as Fender and Epiphone, they are now making waves with their own signature brand of guitars. Speaking of sound waves, a new Bose sound system is responsible for laying down the tracks with piercing highs and down-low bass that found its way to our core. While Mazda and Bose have worked together before, we believe this is the first time they have conspired to build an audio system that rivals those found in some of the more upscale units available today.

Our seats, in addition to looking good, also managed to feel good even with extended drive times throughout the New England region. Between them is a center console containing a control that operates the display screen apps. Fitting directly under the driver’s hands, it is a better solution than having to reach forward to change your favorite radio station or add a new destination to the navigation system.

The middle row offered seats that reclined and included plenty of legroom, thanks to a slightly longer wheelbase than that found in the first generation model. We found the third-row to be slightly tight for a person of American build. If not needed, those seats flip forward with the flick of a lever to drop the headrest, and then the seat into a downward and locked position.

Safety

As with most owners of SUVs and CUVs carrying up to seven passengers, safety is paramount. To that end, Mazda includes the iActivsense safety suite which includes Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring with 24 GHz radar that can read closing vehicles from as far as 165-feet. Also on board: More radar than used by some air traffic controllers: (We jest here) Mazda Radar Cruise Control which is adaptive and utilizes radar to judge distances and speeds especially in backlit, rain, and nighttime situations. Distance recognition support and forward obstruction warnings also use millimeter wavelength radar helps to keep the CX9 at arms-length from those in front of it.

Smart City Brake Support and Smart Brake support help to Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) were included. We found them annoying, though, and opted to turn them off.

Behind the wheel

The CX9’s 227-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine was quite the stout performer, with a variable-valve turbo that helps to emphasize torque over horsepower. Benefitting from a weight savings of around 150-pounds over the 2015’s 3.7-liter six-Cyl engine, the new four-banger manages more power with less friction. This first-time-in-a-long-time turbocharged vehicle from Mazda was one that actually had us chirping the wheels under heavy acceleration. To say we were surprised was an understatement. Oh, and the best part? This 2.5-liter Turbo also fits handsomely inside the Mazda3 Hatchback and the Mazda6 Sedan.

The six-speed automatic transmission is responsive enough, but we were disappointed that it falls short in the Zoom-Zoom category by not including paddle shift levers. Sure, it’s a minor point, but we sometimes like to channel our inner Lewis Hamilton, even though we are behind the wheel of an SUV. We found the comfort mode of driving resulted in an extremely quiet ride. Flicking into Sport mode found an engine that was instantly perked up further, and that strangely increased road noise at the same time. Still, it was more impressive than we had expected from an SUV.

We were slightly disturbed by the SiriusXM Satellite radio system during our excursions through the Falmouth, Massachusetts, area of Cape Cod. Placed near the Northern reaches of the Continental United States, we assumed the periodic outages were the result of satellites that were inherently low while orbiting the globe. That was until we managed to try a General Motors vehicle that was able to cruise the region all day long without a signal interruption. We chalk this up to a less than optimal antenna on the rear of the Mazda CX9 roof.

Conclusion

We have always thought of Mazda as the “Little Engine that Could,” from children’s storybooks. Making more out of less has always been the way things are done in Hiroshima, and the brand makes great strides with the 2016 Mazda CX9 Signature AWD SUV. Although it fits right in with all its other road-going playmates, we think it is good enough to get a bit more Zoom-Zoom in its soul. Mazdaspeed CX9, anyone?