2021 Mazda CX-9 review

2021 Mazda CX-9 Review: 

It's hard to find a midsize three-row SUV that prioritizes driving pleasure, but that's the mission of the 2021 Mazda CX-9. Its attractive design and upscale interior look and feel like something from a luxury brand, and the driving experience is second to none against its key competitors. But for those who don't necessarily need the biggest SUV, they'll be rewarded with a fun-to-drive SUV with a really nice interior that holds up well to modern standards. For 2021, Mazda added a new 10.25-inch infotainment screen as standard on all trims.

However, the CX-9 is also smaller than many other midsize SUVs, and that translates to reduced cargo and third-row space. If your third-row needs are only occasional, the CX-9 is a bit of a hidden gem that shoppers tend to overlook, and as a result, you can get more bang for your buck on the used market.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 have?

Connectivity

Connecting smartphones to the CX-9 is simple, with devices quickly recognized upon startup. The vehicle offers several USB ports for charging. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration, which allows you to display many of your phone's apps and functions on the display screen, is included. An available Bose® premium audio system delivers clear and powerful sound.

Infotainment

Mazda uses a rotary control knob to control its audio and navigation interface, which Edmunds' editors found to be easy to use. You can use the knob to select functions and controls on the CX-9's 10.25-inch display screen. If you're used to touchscreens, the CX-9's controller knob might require a small learning curve, but overall, it is a relatively easy operating system to use. There is technically touchscreen functionality, but the vehicle needs to be at a stop, and the feature won't work with Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™.

Driver-Assist Tech

The CX-9 comes standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist features that are important for modern SUVs. These include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The adaptive cruise control is particularly effective, operating smoothly even down to a complete stop without deactivation, and the lane-keeping assistance consistently maintains the vehicle's center in its lane. The subtle warning chime alert to get your attention is a welcome touch. Overall, these systems integrate seamlessly and perform reliably when called upon.

How comfortable is the 2021 Mazda CX-9? 

Front Seating

The front seats offer excellent support and shape to help keep you comfortable, even on long drives. Heated front seats are standard, while Carbon Edition and higher trims add ventilated front seats.

Rear Seating

Depending on the trim level you're considering, the CX-9 will have either a second-row bench seat (for seven-passenger seating) or second-row captain's chairs (six-passenger seating). The captain's chairs are more comfortable than the bench seating. The CX-9's third row is less appealing, as it offers less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room there than competitors. Additionally, the seat cushion in the rear is relatively thin and may not be comfortable for extended drives.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

Despite its athletic intentions, the CX-9 tends to be more focused on comfort and luxury. It smooths out most road imperfections exceptionally well, but we did encounter an occasional hard rebound after rolling over moderate-sized lumps and bumps. Overall, it's a very comfortable SUV, whether you're taking a longer road trip or a short trip to the local grocery store. The large 20-inch wheels did not hurt the CX-9's ride quality thanks to the larger sidewalls on the tires.

Does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 have good storage?

Cargo 

The CX-9 trails competitors in cargo and utility. While 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row might suffice for some, it pales in comparison to the Kia Telluride's 21 cubic feet. Similarly, the CX-9's maximum cargo capacity of 71.2 cubic feet falls short of the Telluride's 87 cubic feet.

Storage

Although there are numerous interior storage cubbies for your personal items, they are not as plentiful as in the Honda Pilot or as large as those found in the Volkswagen Atlas. The door pockets are a decent size and feature indentations designed to hold large water bottles. Additionally, the center console located between the captain's chairs offers some extra storage choices for rear passengers.

How easy is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 to use? 

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

Accessing the front and middle-row captain's chairs is easy due to generous openings and a lack of obstructions. The second-row captain's chairs improve third-row access, either by sliding farther forward on their tracks or by allowing passage between them. Smaller folks can also use the second-row chair as a boost into the third row. In confined spaces, the relatively short doors open wide, eliminating the need to squeeze in. However, in the traditional seven-seater configuration (with a bench second row), third-row access can require a brief, somewhat awkward crawl.

Interior Layout and Visibility

Edmunds' testing found most major controls to be logically placed and easy to use. The infotainment system's main control knob is easily one of the best we've encountered. It is placed where your hand usually rests and the 10.25-inch screen is right in your sightline, plus the response is quick and the menus are intuitive.

Like most vehicles in its class, the CX-9 offers generous forward and side visibility. However, thick front roof pillars can partially obstruct the view during tight turns. The broad rear pillars and small rear window compromise the rear view, though this is comparable to other midsize three-row SUVs.

What’s the 2021 Mazda CX-9 like to drive?

Driving

The Mazda CX-9 has an athletic feel on twisty roads and quick maneuverability in tight spaces. Its available all-wheel-drive system is ideal for maximizing available traction in inclement weather.

Power is readily available, offering excellent response from a standstill. The CX-9 accelerates to 60 mph in a respectable 7.6 seconds for a three-row midsize SUV, and its smooth-shifting transmission ensures a seamless daily driving experience.

Towing

With a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds when properly equipped

, the CX-9 falls below average for its class of three-row SUVs. The Class II hitch and wiring harness were available as an accessory, so keep an eye out for it if you want one or know that you can add it later.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The EPA estimates that the fuel economy for the all-wheel-drive CX-9 is 23 mpg combined with all-wheel drive and 24 mpg with front-wheel drive,

which is slightly better than the average for this class. We were mostly able to hit those fuel economy targets, but they can be easy to miss if you're heavy-footed. If saving money is more of a priority than max engine power, the CX-9 can run on regular octane fuel.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates