CX-9 is Nice, But it Doesn’t Wow Mom

2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD

model as tested $40,135

Test Drove 12/1/08 – 12/14/08
reviewed by Lori Hindman

I’ve heard nothing but glowing reviews of Mazda’s three-row crossover, the CX-9, so this mama was super excited to try it out. Well, I must be either hard to please or just plain dense, because I wasn’t blown away by the 2009 Mazda CX-9.

The CX-9 is a pretty nice family-mobile, but it won’t be featured in any mommy fantasies of mine. It’s like that perfectly nice woman you always say hello to, but whose name you can never remember. It’s not that you don’t like her; there just isn’t any real connection to make her memorable. I felt that same disconnect with the CX-9. I can’t think of any other way to describe it except as “nice.”

Driving the CX-9 was pretty smooth, but it felt heavy in turns and during acceleration. Trying to turn the CX-9 in tight quarters, like a parking lot, was cumbersome. It reminded me that the CX-9 really is a large crossover. The V-6 engine did the job admirably, even for this speedy mama. What really disappointed me, though, was the low-end 15.3 combined mileage that I got during my test drive. The CX-9 gets an EPA-estimated 15/21 mpg city/highway. Granted, I live in the hills and rarely get onto the highway, but I expect more from a crossover.

Don’t get me wrong: The CX-9 is a great family car with some really terrific features. It just didn’t light my fire. My main problem with it was that the interior’s layout didn’t fit me. I found myself leaning way over and reaching to do simple things like change the temperature or use the touch-screen, but those problems could be limited to me. Overall, the CX-9 is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a seven-passenger ride.

For 2009, there are no major changes to the CX-9. There’s a new Liquid Silver exterior color, and Black Mica is no longer available. Some of the CX-9’s cooler features, like Bluetooth connectivity, are now available in the base-level Sport trim.

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