2021 Mazda CX-9: Photos, Specs & Review - Forbes Wheels

Well into the second generation that kicked off in 2016, the CX-9 is aging nicely. The CX-9 brings class to the seven-passenger SUV segment with a streamlined interior and handsome design that’s just as home at a tailgate cookout as it is at a four-star establishment. Last year, the Japanese brand made all-wheel drive standard across the board, eliminating the front-wheel-drive option. 

Mazda eliminated the base Sport trim of the CX-9 for 2023, now starting with the nicely equipped Touring trim at $40,025. Upscaling from there, the rest of the lineup includes Touring Plus, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring and Signature. Incredibly, even kitted out with all of the premium amenities like quilted leather seating, an exclusive grille design, and genuine wood interior trim, the difference between the Touring and Signature variants is less than $10,000. 

The three-row crossover category is fierce, with an abundance of competition, including the sleek Hyundai Palisade, Kia’s capable Telluride, and the popular Toyota Highlander. Versus the Palisade, the CX-9 falls short in towing capacity, cargo space, and power, but its design and driving dynamics set it apart from the pack in a big way. That’s also true when comparing the CX-9 to the Telluride; Kia’s three-row star is more rugged and tech-focused but not as refined. Toyota refreshed the Highlander in 2020 and still has the advantage in towing and power. However, the Highlander’s interior is outclassed by the premium materials in the CX-9.

All CX-9 models are equipped with Mazda’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. With the gas tank filled with premium (93 octane) fuel, the CX-9’s turbo-four produces 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque; with regular (87 octane), those numbers fall to 227 and 310, respectively. The weight of the CX-9 is balanced beautifully, lending itself to a pleasant, drama-free ride and class-leading handling. Though not as urgent as some competitors, its acceleration is more than adequate to inspire confidence when merging or passing. 

Mazda’s three-row SUV is equally adept at daily errands as long road trips and delivers a certain satisfaction that only a well-balanced vehicle design can. Its distinctive identity is focused on style, comfort, and driving dynamics, and Mazda doesn’t try to shoehorn it into the latest trends. No, the CX-9 doesn’t tow as much as its competitors or have as much power and gives up a little third-row and cargo room, but it’s singularly enjoyable to drive. And that’s a tradeoff plenty of people are willing to make. 

Industry types have speculated that this year could be the last of the CX-9, as Mazda will soon introduce the new, three-row CX-90, a slightly more spacious and rugged interpretation of the CX-9. The pending CX-90 product rollout is somewhat analogous to that of the smaller 2020 CX-30; a year after its arrival, Mazda announced the discontinuation of its less SUV-like Mazda CX-3 sibling. On the other hand, the new Mazda CX-50 has so far co-existed with its CX-5 counterpart in the current lineup, and Mazda insists they will sell alongside each other for the foreseeable future. Still, the CX-9 is a thoughtfully designed, superbly crafted vehicle; in an ocean of crossovers, the CX-9 is a glistening pearl with a competitive price.

Performance: 13/15

The CX-9 is powered by the Skyactiv-G 2.5 turbo engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Cranking out 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, the CX-9 drives with athletic grace. That doesn’t mean it’s a boring ride with regular old 87 octane gas, though, as it still gets 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (with the benefit of a cheaper receipt at the gas station after a fill-up.)

Known for its ability to squeeze an impressive amount of power from relatively small displacement, Mazda’s engines are satisfying and entertaining to drive. The same company that produced the RX-7 and still makes the perennially-fun Miata imbues that spirit into its entire lineup, including even SUVs like the CX-9. That translates into lag-free accelerations, sharp and communicative handling and responsive and linear braking action; thankfully, its suspension doesn’t make you pay for it with an overly harsh ride.

While it’s not suited for heavy off-roading, Mazda’s sole three-row vehicle can handle some light duty on dirt roads just fine. Towing, however, isn’t the CX-9’s strong point, maxing out at 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. The Telluride, Palisade, and Highlander can tow 5,000 pounds each.

Fuel Economy: 13/15

The EPA estimates the fuel economy rating for the 2023 CX-9 at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway. That’s a decent showing, the AWD Kia Telluride coming in at 21 combined, 18 city and 24 highway, and the AWD Toyota Highlander at 21 mpg combined, 24 city and 28 highway. None of them, however, do as well as the Highlander hybrid that returns 35 mpg across the board.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 13/15

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2022 CX-9 a Top Safety Pick+, its highest rating. It also earned a top five star (out of five) rating from the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA). In addition, the CX-9 also earned a “Good” rating in IIHS’s most receipt side impact test.

Standard technology in the CX-9 includes driver-assist technology like radar cruise control with stop and go, forward collision warning, brake support with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with lane keep assist. As such, the CX-9 is competitive in its class. Upgrading to the Touring Plus trim means the addition of Mazda’s Rear Smart City Brake Support (if a crash is imminent, the CX-9’s system activates the brakes), adaptive headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer to improve visibility on an icy day.

Comfort & Room: 13/15

The CX-9’s quiet cabin is heavenly, making local and long-distance trips more comfortable and facilitating conversation. Thank the supportive front seats and taller tire sidewalls for the even, effortless ride while maintaining impeccable road manners. For the full plush experience, the Signature trim comes with quilted Nappa leather upholstery that cradles and cushions the body even on twisty roads. The heated and ventilated seats activate quickly, and the CX-9’s climate control is simple to operate. 

The CX-9 is smaller than its competition, no matter how you slice it. The third row isn’t as spacious—not to mention seriously tiny and hard to access—and it’s somewhat stiffer than its rivals. Headroom in the third-row measures 35.4 inches, and the legroom measures 29.7 inches. Though that’s two inches more than the Highlander, the difference is academic. The Palisade and Telluride beat the Mazda and Toyota with 31.4 inches of legroom in the third row. Second-row legroom is 34.9 inches in the CX-9, compared to 38.7 in the Highlander and 42.4 in the Telluride. 

To the CX-9’s credit, the second and third rows fold flat, making this SUV a quick-change artist between a passenger vehicle and a cargo wagon.

Infotainment: 10/15

A 10.25-inch full-color center display is standard, and the graphics are clear and crisp. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD radio, dual front USB ports, a six-speaker sound system and a wireless smartphone charging pad are all standard fare, all controlled by Mazda’s Commander control knob.

Like Lexus’ much-maligned touchpad, the Commander Control system has its detractors and enthusiasts. In any case, it has a bit of a learning curve; although the control is precise and inputs are received and enacted quickly, it requires moving through more menus to arrive at your desired function. And when you get there, it displays options in a basic list format that you need to scroll through. Mazda thinks a touchscreen can lead to distracted driving, and the system is designed to keep the driver’s eyes on the road. It works flawlessly as a set-it-and-forget-it setup, but making changes can be frustrating until its operation becomes second nature.

Cargo Space & Storage: 10/15

At 14.4 cubic feet, the space behind the third row in the CX-9 is unimpressive. The Toyota Highlander also has 14.4 cubes, the Hyundai Palisade 18 and the Telluride 21. With the second row folded, the CX-9 has 38.2 cubes; the Highlander has 48.4 and the Telluride 46. With second and third rows folded, the CX-9 has 71.2  cubic feet, compared to the Highlander’s 84.3 and Telluride’s 87.    

But there’s an element of give and take in play here, and CX-9’s smaller footprint imbues with with a wagon-like feel which contributes to the balanced ride. 

The power liftgate opens to reveal a low loading point, and ferrying four passengers instead of six leaves plenty of space for golf clubs, sports equipment, or the products of a hefty shopping excursion. Cupholders up front are deep, and the door pockets hold extra beverages and snacks. The console, while handsomely designed, is relatively small.

Style & Design: 9/10

Inside and out, the CX-9 oozes with aspirations of luxury. It nearly achieves it too, but the reasonable price point belies its station. That’s not to say that the CX-9 falls short next to its upscale rivals like the Lexus RX; on the contrary, Mazda’s well-appointed SUVs are a testament to its outstanding value.

The CX-9’s cabin is the sweet spot, flush with soft-touch materials and generous seat padding. Noise and vibration are kept to a minimum with high-quality damping, adding to the premium experience.

If style is at the top of your priority list, spend the extra $595 for the Soul Red Crystal Metallic finish. There’s no other red hue out there like it, and it’s instantly recognizable.

Is the 2023 Mazda CX-9 Worth it? Which CX-9 is the Best Value?

For 2023, the CX-9 is available in five trims: Touring, Touring Plus, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. All-wheel drive is standard, and niceties are plentiful even at the Touring level ($40,025, including the $1,275 destination fee). It includes heated front seats, keyless entry, a power liftgate, a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, USB ports in the first and second row, privacy (tinted) glass, a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, power front passenger’s seat, and a rearview camera.

The Touring Plus trim starts at $42,625 and brings the most value by adding ventilated seats and a second-row bench, increasing passenger capacity from six to seven.

Were we writing the check, we’d go for the mid-level Carbon Edition ($46,105 MSRP, a $3,480 increase over the Touring Plus), which adds desirable amenities like adaptive headlights that illuminate curvy roads, a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, heated second-row captain’s chairs, an upgraded Bose audio system with 12 speakers (doubling the number in the base model), a windshield wiper de-icer, and USB ports in the third row. This trim also has a distinctive style; it’s finished in an exclusive Polymetal Gray paint, and the cabin is furnished with red leather seats and aluminum trim.

The Grand Touring starts at $46,915, and the top-tier Signature at $49,735.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Mazda CX-9?

The Mazda CX-9’s insurance costs are similar to its main competitors. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $2,080 for the Touring and $2,213 for the Carbon. The Kia Telluride averages between $1,944 for the EX and $2,080 for the SX, and the Toyota Highlander LE at about $1,989 and $2,092 for the Limited. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.