The interior of Mazda’s popular CX-9 crossover is one of its many selling points. We review its passenger room, cargo capacity, and available safety features.
Mazda’s CX-9 is a mid-size crossover SUV that came onto the market to replace the MPV. With the MPV coming off of a successful six-year run (2000-2006), the CX-9 served a slightly better market while still hitting the multi-purpose passenger vehicle notes of the MPV.
Initially released for the 2007 model year, the CX-9 brings a fresh take to the casual family SUV. Released as a V6-powered mid-size crossover, the CX-9 gave Mazda a step out of the mini-van market and into the crossover SUV wave.
Here, we are going to break down an essential aspect of the vehicle: its interior. Although there are only two generations of the CX-9 so far, there are quite a few variations of the inside features.
First-gen. Mazda CX-9 (2007-2015)
The first-generation CX-9 was released with three trim packages. In ascending order, you could get the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. The first two packages have a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive option. The Grand Touring is all-wheel-drive only.
Although the base model Sport trim received many features, such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel menu controls, and keyless entry. Options for the Sport are where it shines.
Available options included an alarm, backup camera, rear parking aide, interior cargo shade, remote start, and an electrochromic rearview mirror.
Moving up to the Touring package, you receive all the previous features along with front reading lamps, heated mirrors, and power door locks as standard. Touring models received a few extra options over the Sport, too, including a power liftgate, universal garage door opener, and remote trunk release.
Lastly, the Grand Touring built upon previous features with an alarm, auto-off headlights, fog lamps, HID headlights, and rain-sensing wipers. Grand Touring packages did not receive any specific options for the lower trim levels.
Cargo Space and Pricing
Even with the ascending features, the CX-9 doesn’t jump much in price for each package. Initially, the costs started at around $29,500 for the base model Sport and up to $34,600 for the top-trim Grand Touring. Sport models can now be purchased for roughly $8,000 with 150,000 miles, while Grand Tourings pop up around $10,000. Cargo space for the crossover provides a solid middle ground with competitors like the Toyota Highlander and GMC Acadia.
The first-generation Mazda CX-9 offers 17.2 cu. ft. inside, which is more than enough room to get all your groceries, take the kids to soccer practice, or haul your luggage on a trip. While the first-generation CX-9 doesn’t feature any intricate door trimmings or fancy cubbies, it does provide a comfortable space that some reviewers say rids the need for a minivan.
The CX-9 really began to stand out with its second generation.
Second-gen. Mazda CX-9 (2016-Present)
Mazda’s second-generation CX-9 hit the market in 2016 with a fresh, futuristic look. Now riding on a longer wheelbase, the body is shorter than the previous generation, making the CX-9 more city-friendly. Sporting a turbocharged four-cylinder, the CX-9 makes more power, is more fuel-efficient thanks to SkyActiv technology, and even weighs less than the previous generation.
Delving into the interior, you’ll find a very familiar “new” Mazda feel. A constant in new Mazdas is the distinct layout of three gauges, aluminum trim to break up the leather, and a commander knob for infotainment selections. All these things are seen inside the new CX-9, making it easy to hop in another current model without feeling lost if you’re a Mazda fan.
Mazda kept the same trim levels for the second-generation CX-9, with Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring packages.
Each model comes with new safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, auto-leveling headlights, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and cross-traffic alert. Sport models come equipped with a backup camera, auto-off headlights, keyless start, keyless entry, adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, power locks, steering wheel controls, and power mirrors.
Optional items for the Sport include rear parking aide, universal garage door opener, heated mirrors, fog lamps, interior cargo shade, luggage rack, electro-chromatic rearview mirror, and remote start.
Mid-range Touring models gain most of the options from the Sport as standard but only offer rain-sensing wipers as the special add-on over the Sport. Grand Touring models receive all of the options from the lower packages except for remote start, luggage rack, and interior cargo shade.
Mazda also introduced a new Signature package to most of their line-up, including the CX-9. You gain Napa leather-trimmed seats, quilted leather accents, and genuine wood inlays for the Signature series.
Cargo Space and Pricing
Cargo space on new models suffers over the previous generation, dropping to 14.4 cu. ft. with all seating in use. Mazda’s second-generation cargo space suffers primarily due to the car’s decreased length; however, it is more spacious than its competitors, such as the GMC Acadia with 12.8 cu. ft. and Toyota Highlander with 13.8 cu. ft.. With all rear seating down, cargo space shoots up to 71.2 cu. ft., still plenty of room for everyday people.
For the second-generation CX-9 still being relatively new, the used market has surprisingly dropped a bit in price over a brand new model. 2017 model years float around $22,000 with sub 30,000 miles. A 2021 CX-9 Grand Touring starts at $42,000 and doesn’t offer enough over a slightly older model to warrant doubling the cost.
Mazda CX-9 Recalls and Reliability
With over ten years of production, there are few recalls to touch on that involve the CX-9. Many reports you’ll find are related to Takata airbag failures seen across a large number of makes and models.
Other recalls relate to a power seating harness that can interfere with the front cover and need to be replaced. More niche issues seem to be associated with a number of bad steering knuckles and a specific batch of bad tires that suffer tread separation.
In terms of reliability, the first-generation CX-9s have proven the V6 to last well over 150,000 miles. New generation CX-9’s use the same SkyActiv turbo four-cylinder found in many other Mazdas giving it plenty of development and part availability. Whether it be the more prominent first-generation, or the more modern second-generation, you’ll find the CX-9 to be very inviting and space-conscious while you spend your time inside.
Photos: Mazda
