Mazda CX-9 Gets Front Wheel Drive Model, Pricing Announced

Australia is a country known for its wide-open, uninhabited outback, so naturally the people know how to tell a true off-roader machine from a soft-roader. However, soccer moms still need something big and imposing to do the daily shopping in and feel totally sale. With the price of fuel on the rise, Mazda’s Australian division decided to the CX-9 crossover a front-wheel drive version, available in a choice of two trim levels - Classic and Luxury.

The FWD CX-9 is still motivated by a .7-liter V6 engine producing 204kW (274HP) and 367Nm, mated to a 6-speed Activematic transmission. As expected, the major change is the fuel consumption, with he FWD version delivering 11.0 lt/100km instead of 11.2lt/100km.

Not much of a change, is it?! But losing two powered wheels has resulted in the CX-9 costing AUD4,500 less than before.

Thus, the CX-9 Classic FWD is now the new entry-level model in the range with prices starting from AUD44,425 (US$46,731). Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps, cruise control, three-zone climate control, power windows and mirrors plus a leather trimmed steering wheel and gearshift knob.

Go for the Luxury model, which is priced at AUD51,725, and you get 20-inch alloys, a power-sliding and tilt glass sunroof, heated power mirrors with 3-position memory and reverse tilt-down function, power adjustable leather seats with 3-position memory function and a premium Bose audio system with 10 speakers.

All CX9 models in Australia are fitted with six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and a reversing camera as standard.