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 January 26, 2007 First Drive: 2007 Mazda CX-9
Discuss this story in the forum at CarTalkCanada Find this vehicle in CanadianDriver’s Classified AdsPhoto Gallery: 2007 Mazda CX-9 Victoria, British Columbia - At a time when the popularity of mid-sized SUVs is flagging, it might seem like a bad idea to introduce a new seven-passenger, sport-utility vehicle. However, according to Mazda Canada's Public Relations Manager Greg Young, it is a good time to introduce a mid-size "crossover utility vehicle" like the all-new Mazda CX-9. While traditional large and mid-sized truck-based SUVs have seen a decline in sales recently, sales of mid-size car-based crossovers are on the upswing, he says.
On the downside, crossover vehicles typically don't offer a "low-range" gear for serious off-road duty, and can't tow heavy trailers, but these concerns aren't as important to the typical urban/suburban crossover customer.
Though it's based on a platform similar to the new Ford Edge, the CX-9 is built in Japan and the only parts it shares with the Edge are the Ford-built 263-hp 3.5-litre V6 engine, and a fully independent Mazda6-derived suspension. Both vehicles have a six-speed automatic transmission, but the CX-9's is different, built by Aisin.
All CX-9's have three rows of seats with a total of seven seats: there are no five-passenger CX-9s. Its seven-passenger capacity is a key selling feature, says Mazda's Greg Young. "The Mazda CX-9 targets young couples and modern families who have not lost their desire for high-intensity leisure activities," he says. "It is also ideal for couples with grown children who pursue an active lifestyle."
Starting at $39,595, the 2007 CX-9 GS is equipped with front and rear air conditioning with a three-zone temperature control; front, side and curtain airbags; eight-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar adjustment; 60/40 split folding second row seats; 50/50 split folding third row seats; tilt & telescopic steering wheel; AM/FM/CD player with six speakers; power windows; power door locks with remote keyless entry; cruise control; and rain sensing windshield wipers. Available options on the GS include all-wheel drive ($2,000) and a power moonroof with a one-touch open and close feature ($1,000). To the list of standard equipment on the GS, the $43,955 GT adds 20-inch tires and alloys, xenon headlights, fog lights, leather seats with seat heaters and power lumbar adjustment, memory settings for the driver's seat, four-way power passenger seat, woodgrain dash trim, additional blue floor lighting, and turn signals on the outside mirrors.
I drove both GS and GT models, but apart from the different interior materials and options, there's very little difference between the two vehicles. The standard cloth seat fabric in the GS is attractive and durable, but I wouldn't recommend the cream coloured fabric in my GS tester - it will get dirty very quickly. Thankfully, my GS had black carpets in the footwells. The two-tone leather seats in the GT are very attractive and comfortable and include standard seat heaters in the front. Unfortunately, the GS' cloth front seats aren't available with heaters. Interior room in the CX-9 is above average in the mid-size crossover class. Mazda claims the CX-9 has more legroom in the second and third rows than the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. I found plenty of legroom and headroom in the first and second rows, and adequate headroom and legroom in the third row for my 5' 9" frame.
Even with the third row seats up, there is 487 litres (17.2 cu. ft.) of cargo space behind the third row seats. Golfers take note: the side walls have been hollowed out to allow two golf bags to fit sideways across the trunk. Both second and third row seatbacks fold down easily without having to remove the head restraints, providing a flat, lined loading surface and a total of 2851 litres (100.7 cu. ft.) of cargo space. That's more than in the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. Behind the third row seat, the CX-9's cargo floor is 46 cm (18 in.) long at the floor; with the third row seatbacks folded, the cargo length increases to 91 cm (3 ft.); and with the second row seatback, the cargo floor is 183 cm (6 ft.) long.
For storage, there's an open slot at the bottom of the centre stack with a 12-volt outlet, and between the front seats is a deep storage bin with a 12-volt outlet and an auxiliary i-Pod jack. First, second and third row passengers have cupholders. And under the cargo floor is a hidden storage area for valuables or items that you don't want to roll around the trunk.
For this first test drive, Assistant Editor Jil McIntosh and I teamed up to drive the winding backroads and highways west of Victoria, B.C., out to the Jordan River on the west coast of Vancouver Island, "Canada's Surfing Capital". Apparently, the surfing is better in the winter because the waves are bigger, but it must have been low tide because we saw only small waves and a couple of lonely surfers fully attired in wet suits to prevent succumbing to hypothermia in the icy west coast waters. As the roads were wet and slippery from a recent rainfall, it was a good chance to test the CX-9's optional all-wheel drive. Before the drive, we were told that the CX-9 "drives smaller than it looks", and indeed, that's exactly the way it felt. The CX-9 offers very balanced handling, sure-footed braking, and accurate but not overly sensitive steering. The CX-9 just ate up the curves, and proved very easy to drive quickly.
The standard 263-hp 3.5-litre V6 with dual overhead camshafts, four valves-per-cylinder, and variable intake valve timing proved smooth, powerful and responsive, and the six-speed transmission was also very responsive and quiet. In fact, the whole powertrain is commendably quiet on the freeway, with engine revs below 2000 rpm at 100 km/h. Standing start and highway merging acceleration is excellent with plenty of power available when needed. I found the transmission's manual shift mode useful when negotiating curves at speed, but most of the time I just left it in automatic mode. The CX-9 has a towing capacity of up to 1588 kg (3500 lb.).
Apart from its stiff suspension and its red backlit instruments, I liked the CX-9. Its swoopy styling, seven-passenger capability and generous cargo room makes it both stylish and practical - and it performs very well around town and on the highway. I can see many families buying this instead of a minivan or SUV, and you have to admit, the CX-9 is less boxy than a Highlander or a Pilot.
Manufacturer's web site
Greg Wilson is a Vancouver-based automotive journalist and editor of CanadianDriver
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