http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=4014
?They?ve done a great job of carrying the Mazda DNA over to the CX-9,? says Executive Editor Douglas Kott. Agreed. The all-new CX-9 really does carry on the ?zoom-zoom? nature of Mazda?s product offerings with pleasant steering, chassis and brake feel that work in harmony with one another ? an especially commendable accomplishment as this new 7-passenger crossover is the largest vehicle the Japanese manufacturer has ever made.
The exterior styling is pleasing with its carlike look from the A-pillar forward. The windshield is raked just enough to add a touch of sportiness without intruding on driver/front passenger comfort or head room. The beltline just below the side windows that runs toward the rear of the vehicle broadens slightly from the C-pillar back and wraps around the rear to meet at an obtuse point at the Mazda badge. The organic lines work ? if anything, the CX-9?s ?stretched? proportions make it more of a looker than its smaller CX-7 sibling as it takes on a long, slender, wagonlike look. The CX-9 is also an excellent design because it fools the eye: Although it doesn?t look it, this crossover is slightly longer than the last-generation GMC Yukon Denali.
Behind the wheel, the CX-9 doesn?t feel large at all. In fact, it even feels a little sporting, riding on a suspension that feels satisfyingly firm with zero float. It turns in nicely and remains flat when cornering (admittedly in ?normal? driving ? we generally don?t go nuts in this type of vehicle). And backing maneuvers are a breeze as rear vision is good, plus the optional navigation system screen switches over to a rear camera view when reverse is engaged.
Again, in normal driving, the 263-bhp 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 gets the job done well, but there?s a little thrashiness under heavy acceleration from a standstill or at low speed. As one editor said, ?It has to get its revs going before it produces power.? As of this writing, the EPA mileage has yet to be determined but high-teens for the city and mid-20s for the expresssway is a safe bet, according to Mazda. The engine is designed to run on less expensive 87-octane fuel.
The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts quietly and smoothly and has a sport-shift feature that not only allows the driver to manually select gears in the ?proper? manner (forward for downshifts, back for upshifts), but there?s also a digital gear selection readout between the large tachometer and speedometer.
Inside, there?s an equally appealing, if slightly less dynamic, interior design. The way the faux wood trim waterfalls down each side of the center console is mirrored in the forward section of the front door trim. The piano-black finish trim we liked on our long-term Mazda RX-8 is present, but only on the steering-wheel spokes that hold the hands-free phone, cruise control and sound-system volume controls. A large navigation system screen rests amidships of the center console with dual vents and a climate control display residing above and climate and front/rear defroster controls placed underneath it. The materials and craftsmanship are very good for this price class.
The front seats are very comfortable and envelop the torso gingerly rather than too tightly. The 60/40-folding rear and even the 50/50-folding third-row seats also have good ergonomics, the last featuring a comfortable seatback angle ? not too upright ? and head and leg room adequate for adults to ride back there in relative comfort. And it?s easy for average adults to access the third-row seating, as not only do the middle seats slide forward a bit, but the rear door openings are large enough to aid the cause as well. The third-row seats fold completely flat to provide good cargo space (with the seats up, there is only enough room to hold several bags of groceries) and the middle seats fold nearly flat for even more capacity.
On sale in early January and starting at around $29,000 for a base 2-wheel-drive version and under $39,000 for a fully-loaded all-wheel-drive model, the new Mazda CX-9 is a winner, offering up a degree of style and spirited performance in a category of vehicle not known for it.
