CD Article: 2007 Mazda CX-9

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

A stylish alternative to a traditional SUV or minivan, the new seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 crossover utility vehicle combines attractive styling, V6 performance and a roomy interior, says Editor Greg Wilson. "The CX-9 offers very balanced handling, sure-footed braking, and accurate but not overly sensitive steering," he reports. "My only complaint is that the suspension is a bit stiff, particularly over potholes and pavement breaks," he says.
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[initial_D]

A bigger CX-7, if drives like one, we have a Winner! Again. 

[Blueprint]

I, for one, would have preferred having the option of the terrific 3rd-gen MPV (Mazda 8 in some markets), the platform of which underpins the sporty CX-7.  In early press releases, Mazda mentioned the CX-9 replaces the MPV, but take a look at pricing : my own "3/4 up the trim levels" MPV was 31,000$ before incentives (paid 28,000 $), but, according to the prices in the First Drive, the CX-9 ranges from 40k$ to 53,165 $    

I'd rather buy a Mazda 5 ... and a CX-7 for that sum.

I don't expect sales success up here with this.

[mdxtasy]

Looks good but the pricing sounds fishy.  Base models and/or GS models may have a chance in the 30's to 40's price range.  Anything higher than low to mid 40's and it's going to sit on the lot for a long time.  Huge cargo space and looks like decent passenger space too. 

[carcrazy]

Niceiest mid-size crossover on the market, but with about $3,000 off the base MSRP would be the best.

[tortoise]

I like this paradox:

"Their car-like unit body construction is often lighter than truck-like body-on-frame designs, enabling them to offer better fuel economy."

Mazda CX-9 curb weight: 4546 lbs.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/mazda/cx9/100810110/specs.html

This thing is not going to be fuel efficient.

Otherwise I looks great.  I agree with the price being too high.  Mazda's are really nice cars, but I don't think they're $53,000 nice.  That puts the Mazda into MDX  territory.

[Loudpedal]

I sat in the CX-9 at my local dealer last evening.   Here are my impressions.  

This vehicle is quite large.  The closer you get the more you realize it.  Once inside however, it does not feel that large.  I found the first two rows of seats reasonable, but the 3rd row seat seemed frighteningly small, and the cargo area more so.  

Sitting in the drivers seat, the initial exterior impression of size disappears.  The dash is very nice, with only the shifter gate looking out of place.  

Having sat in a GMC Acadia last weekend, there's something strangely different about these two.   The CX9 looks big on the outside, but feels small on the inside.  The Acadia looks big on the outside and feels big on the inside.   The quality of materials was better on the CX.  Interior functionality of the GMC may take some buyers.  Al;so, the 3500lb tow rating seems a bit modest for the CX, especially compared to the Acadia's 4500lbs

I'm pretty much a die hard Japenese vehicle guy, but based solely on 20 mins of crawling throughout both, I prefered the Acadia based on interior size (may be an illusion), pricing, towing and availabiliy of options.    The CX has more sleek style that is less "truck like".  

In the end, I would certainly need to drive them back to back to make a choice.  Yes, it would be that close for me.  

I do agree with the other posts on price.  I'd say its about 5K to high.  

[sirAQUAMAN64]

This vehicle does look really nice... a little sleepy whale soapy in some ways, but very slick, sleek, and contemporary in others.

I'm very surprised at the amount of space behind the 3rd row. Didn't expect that much, but looks as though there's not a heck of a lot of 3rd row legroom - par for the category. This photo of the exterior http://www.canadiandriver.com/cgi-bin/schlabo/sp.pl?info=2007%20Mazda%20CX-9%20GS&src=http://www.canadiandriver.com/galleries/2007/images/mazda/2007_mazda_cx-9/07cx9gs_gw_2-3256.jpg shows that while large, they apparently made it drive smaller, and certainly gave it elements to look smaller - notice how the rear side window stops short, and how the rear hatch really stretches (I'll have to check 3rd row headroom) and bulges out a bit beneath the glass area... again, stylistically smart. Love that little subtle curved lip to the roof spoiler as well.

The interior as a whole looks really inviting and quite upscale, not out of place with the price. I like both interiors, but the cloth seats appear like they might flatten/wear poorly (strictly judging from the photo). I love the piano black accents on the steering wheel/dash/elsewhere and the tasteful wood application on the GT. Seats look better to me too for whatever reason.

Mazda finally has a family of family-oriented vehicles - Mazda6 Wagon, Tribute, 5, CX-7, CX-9. Interested to see how they'll run with it, and if they'll catch the average buyer's wallets.

[inco]

I expect the GT will have a rougher ride than the GS if for no other reason than the tire size - 20's on the GT and 18's on the GS. But he doesn't say if that applies to both or just the GT.

That's one question I would like an answer to. Greg - does that apply to both or just the GT? There has to be a difference between the two and hopefully a noticeable one.

[Jaeger]

I think this is a great-looking vehilce, inside and out.  I can't think of a better looking vehicle in the segment. The CX-7 is more my size, but if I needed more space this one would really grab my attention. Good for Mazda.

Jaeger

[JSCC]

If only considering Japanes brands, I would choose the:

1. CX-9 (best styling, handling)
2. Highlander
3. Pilot
4. Tribeca (best AWD but styling  )

If the B9 does an early exterior update, it would jump to the top of my list!

How many new/updated crossover/SUVs is the market getting for 07MYs?
Seems to be a huge amount.
RDX, MDX
CX-7, CX-9
Tiguan?
Q7
X5
ML?
....

I agree with the author about customers going for crossovers instead of minvans.
I would get the CX-9 instead of the Mazda8.
But if Honda/Toyota Canada can sell both 7 seat SUVs and minivans, why can't Mazda Canada?

[dave 2]

 

 
Having sat in a GMC Acadia last weekend, there's something strangely different about these two.   The CX9 looks big on the outside, but feels small on the inside.  The Acadia looks big on the outside and feels big on the inside.  

The CX has more sleek style that is less "truck like".   

explains roominess impression.

Excellent looks though.  Can't wait to sit in one.

[editorgreg]

Inco wrote: "I expect the GT will have a rougher ride than the GS if for no other reason than the tire size - 20's on the GT and 18's on the GS. But he doesn't say if that applies to both or just the GT.

That's one question I would like an answer to. Greg - does that apply to both or just the GT? There has to be a difference between the two and hopefully a noticeable one."

I mostly drove the GS with the 18-inch tires and the ride was firm over poor pavement - I don't think it was the tires.  The GT with the 20-inchers didn't seem a lot worse.  Greg Wilson

[G0dspd]

"Based on a lengthened, widened version of the Mazda 6 platform, the 2007 Ford Edge shares most of its mechanicals with the Mazda CX-9 seven-seater, including its double-overhead-cam V6 and fully independent front strut, rear multilink suspension design."

"However, the Ford uses a different six-speed automatic transmission (co-developed with GM and shared with the Saturn Aura) and a simpler viscous-coupling all-wheel-drive system in lieu of the Mazda's computer-controlled setup."

Soooo the CX-9 is all Mazda but shares components with the Edge that comes from a Mazda 6!  Who has the best transmission/AWD setup between the CX-9 and the Edge since their not the same?  Maybe the Edge has less electronics because it's intended for the more serious off-roaders (less car-like). 

I've looked at the CX-7 extensively and unless you really really REALLY need a 3rd row go with that one.  If you do need the extra seats, I agree with Loudpedal and look at the Acadia.

[inco]

IIRC the Mazda is using an established Aisin transmission that is supposed to be better than the Ford unit. Here are some of the comments from the Edmunds review back in the fall.

"All of this dimensional growth demanded a larger platform, and that's where Mazda's Ford ties gave it an Edge. Actually, it's the other way 'round, as the upcoming, and smaller, Ford Edge and the CX-9 both ride on a Mazda 6-derived platform that is also shared by the Japanese-market-only MPV.

The most significant CX-7 hardware item carried over to the CX-9 is the well-sorted six-speed automatic transmission. We loved its smooth and positive shifting behavior in that application, and it's much the same here. An identical manual-mode lever with zoom-appropriate downshift-forward, upshift-back logic comes over, too. Gear ratios are intact, but the final-drive ratio and shift schedule have been tweaked to suit."

I'm looking forward to trying it out for myself but I'm still leaning to the GS rather than going up to the GT.

[Julie]

I sat in the CX-9 at my local dealer last evening.   Here are my impressions.  

This vehicle is quite large.  The closer you get the more you realize it.  Once inside however, it does not feel that large.  I found the first two rows of seats reasonable, but the 3rd row seat seemed frighteningly small, and the cargo area more so.  

Sitting in the drivers seat, the initial exterior impression of size disappears.  The dash is very nice, with only the shifter gate looking out of place.  

Having sat in a GMC Acadia last weekend, there's something strangely different about these two.   The CX9 looks big on the outside, but feels small on the inside.  The Acadia looks big on the outside and feels big on the inside.   The quality of materials was better on the CX.  Interior functionality of the GMC may take some buyers.  Al;so, the 3500lb tow rating seems a bit modest for the CX, especially compared to the Acadia's 4500lbs

I'm pretty much a die hard Japenese vehicle guy, but based solely on 20 mins of crawling throughout both, I prefered the Acadia based on interior size (may be an illusion), pricing, towing and availabiliy of options.    The CX has more sleek style that is less "truck like".  

In the end, I would certainly need to drive them back to back to make a choice.  Yes, it would be that close for me.  

I do agree with the other posts on price.  I'd say its about 5K to high.  

Loudpedal, I think you've hit the nail on the head why I came away disappointed with the CX-9, but couldn't quite put my finger on it until I read your post.

Going to the Montreal Auto Show, the CX-9 was my fav looking SUV/crossover. However, after sitting in it, looking around, etc., I lost interest.

The version I sat in had cloth seats in beige that felt cheapish 

Yeah, starting at 40 grand, functionality is important for me...

[Cord]

Maybe the Edge has less electronics because it's intended for the more serious off-roaders (less car-like).

The Edge is not intended for any off-road use.

[inco]

The Edge is not intended for any off-road use.

I don't think any of the crossovers are intended for off road use. Twisting of metal from a unibody would not have a good end result. The twisties would twist 'em. Full frames for serious off roading or very beefed up uni's at least.

Also wandered into dealer yesterday though and sat in the 9 and came away with a much different impression Julie. Mind you it was a black interior but the whole inside on the GS feels very nice and that standard leather wheel - ooh - 'tis nice. But dog gone it - why no butt warmers.

Maybe you need to see a few more cloth interiors to appreciate it. It's better than the GMC Acadia and that 9 dash is quite nice too. I could live with it.

[mdxtasy]

The Edge is not intended for any off-road use.

I don't think any of the crossovers are intended for off road use. Twisting of metal from a unibody would not have a good end result. The twisties would twist 'em. Full frames for serious off roading or very beefed up uni's at least.

Also wandered into dealer yesterday though and sat in the 9 and came away with a much different impression Julie. Mind you it was a black interior but the whole inside on the GS feels very nice and that standard leather wheel - ooh - 'tis nice. But dog gone it - why no butt warmers.

Maybe you need to see a few more cloth interiors to appreciate it. It's better than the GMC Acadia and that 9 dash is quite nice too. I could live with it.

Inco....you've only been looking for a new car for about 17 years....

[inco]

You know that and I know that but fur cryin out loud - did you have to remind everyone.    I'm out to beat GD's record maybe.