Mazda may have started out building tricycle trucks, minibuses, and two-seater coupes, but they now make some of the best sport utility vehicles available. We review the best Mazda SUVs to buy.
Formerly known as the Toyo Kogyo Company, Mazda introduced the brand’s first-ever vehicle, the “Mazda-go,” in 1931. It was a single-seat tricycle truck and eventually led to Mazda spending the 1950s building small pickups (albeit now with four wheels) and minibusses.
In the 1960s, the company shifted its focus towards using Wankel rotary engines, starting with the four-seat Cosmo Sport coupe. The engine, of course, was made famous by the two-seat Mazda RX-7 sportscar.
Then, in response to the growing demand for larger passenger vehicles, Mazda introduced its first Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in 1991, the Navajo. However, the Navajo was essentially a rebadged Ford Explorer with a unique front and rear fascia and some minor interior changes. Fast-forward to the present, and the brand now produces some of the most popular SUVs available.
Here we’ll cover the best Mazda SUVs you can buy, going as far back as the 2001 Mazda Tribute.
Mazda Tribute (2001-2011)
The Mazda Tribute was the automaker’s first “official” SUV. With Mazda’s design team still collaborating with Ford, the SUV isn’t entirely Mazda’s own, but it wasn’t a simple redesign of another SUV either.
Shared between the Tribute and its Ford Escape counterpart was the CD2 platform. Priced below the Escape, the Mazda Tribute offered a similar vehicle for a cheaper price point. A compact crossover SUV, the Tribute debuted with two engine options.
The first-gen Tribute was offered with two engine options, a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder putting out 130 horsepower and 135 lb.-ft. of torque, or a 3.0-liter V6 with 200 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.
While the 2.0 came in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, the top-spec 3.0 was only available with all-wheel-drive. Of the two, we prefer the latter.
Not only was the V6 more powerful, but it was also more reliable due to its maintenance-free timing chain, whereas the four-cylinder engine used a timing belt.
The model year 2004 saw a refresh of the first generation Tribute, giving it painted bumpers, a new floor-mounted shifter, and a larger 2.3-liter four-cylinder to replace the low-powered 2.0-liter.
In 2007, the all-new second-generation Mazda Tribute was released, which is where the model really came into its own. The Tribute now had more prominent body lines, wider wheel arches, and new fascia designs.
Although the exterior wasn’t completely Mazda, sharing some styling with the Escape and Mountaineer, it still stood out from the others.
The interior on the second-gen Tribute got a significant upgrade as well, with newer, higher-quality materials. Engine options stayed the same since the redesign of the first generation, offering the 2.3-liter four-cylinder or the 3.0 liter V6. That is, up until 2009 when the Tribute got a mechanical refresh.
Base models were now powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, bumping power to an equal 171 horsepower and torque. The 3.0-liter V6 was redesigned and now pushed out 240 horsepower and 233 lb.-ft. of torque.
With the terrors of Ford Explorer and Mazda Navajo recalls from the early nineties, you’d almost expect the same from the early 2000’s predecessors. Recalls for the Tribute bring up a few alarming things. The biggest thing is that the accelerator cable can get stuck fully open, causing the engine to stay full throttle.
Remedied by a new engine cover to provide more clearance, this is one of the most significant problems to look for in the service history of a pre-owned model. Other issues like premature wheel bearing failure and some airbag recalls should be addressed as well.
Regarded for its functional capability, the Mazda Tribute proved to be one of Mazda’s best-selling SUVs. Over 11 years of production, Mazda sold over 250,000 Tributes. Not necessarily an impressive figure, and the Escape had more recognition, but you can find these first- and second-generation models at a steep discount from the Ford counterpart.
You can easily find a fully-loaded V6 Mazda Tribute with under 100,000 miles for just under the $10,000 price range. Considering you get a newer but more utilitarian SUV with enough power to climb mountains, the Tribute can’t be counted out when considering what Mazda SUV is best for you.
Mazda CX-7 (2007-2012)
As the Mazda Tribute was making waves as the first proper Mazda SUV, the CX-7 was launched to take on the job of being Mazda’s first true mid-size SUV. Released in 2007, the Mazda CX-7 took place as the mid-size model since the Navajo was discontinued in 1994.
The CX-7 filled a much-needed gap between the utilitarian Tribute and the full-size CX-9, which was released alongside the CX-7. The overall design of the CX-7 was quite rounded off and bland. What was not boring, however, was the drivetrain.
Powering the CX-7 is the same engine found in the Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazdaspeed 6. This engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 244 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque.
If you’re a dad who has to give up the fun project for a respectable family hauler, the CX-7 packs the punch you need—paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, and it makes for a spritely vehicle that can still carry the kids and groceries.
Although extremely rare, the CX-7 was offered with a manual transmission for some markets. If you’re keen enough, this could be an enjoyable vehicle with some work.
The interior is stereotypical late 2000’s Mazda. With a lot of plastic trim and basic design, you won’t feel wrapped in luxury by any means. Compared to other manufacturers, however, it is still a lovely place to be.
After the 2009 facelift, the interior came together even more with blackout gauges, Bluetooth capability, blindspot monitoring, and a more prominent Multi-Informational Display.
Most consumers’ biggest complaint about the CX-7 is due to the turbo engine in early models.
Unfortunately, around 70,000 miles, the timing chain is known to stretch and become very noisy or even snap, causing significant damage. Although a recall was never issued, Mazda seemed to remedy this issue in the facelifted cars as it was much less frequent.
Legitimate recalls for the CX-7 include a slew of airbag issues mainly related to the Takata fiasco. One other concerning recall turns out to be a premature balljoint failure given a specific set of conditions.
Even though the CX-7 was discontinued in 2012 to make way for the CX-5, it solidified itself as one of Mazda’s star SUVs. When shopping for a used CX-7, it is clear to stay away from the earlier models due to engine issues.
However, finding an excellent 2010 to 2012 gives you a great window to get a clean example.
Fully-loaded Grand Touring models with all-wheel-drive, that have less than 100,000 miles can be found for around $11,000. Considering the phenomenal drivetrain and solid luxury interior, it makes for a great deal on a reliable mid-size SUV.
Mazda CX-9 (2007-Present)
As we mentioned previously, the Mazda CX-9 debuted alongside the CX-7 as the new full-size SUV for the brand. Continuing the partnership with Ford, Mazda produced the CX-9 on the Ford CD3 platform.
Although the design isn’t entirely Mazda, much like the CX-7, it doesn’t share much with its Ford counterparts besides the platform itself.
For the first generation, Mazda kept the same rounded concept to the CX-9’s exterior. Unlike the CX-7, Mazda gave the CX-9 a second-generation redesign with more aggressive styling.
The CX-9 was Mazda’s shot at competing against other full-size SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder.
The first year Mazda CX-9’s were fitted with the 3.5-liter V6 shared with Ford. Just one year later, the engine was upgraded to the 3.7 liter V6 to produce 274 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated strictly to a six-speed automatic made this precisely a family vehicle, unlike the CX-7.
Second-generation CX-9s are equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which puts out 250 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque. Second-gen models benefit from the SkyActiv engine and the SkyActiv automatic transmission for better power delivery and gas mileage.
Weight is also down on the second-generation models, dropping 200 pounds in the FWD configuration and 290 pounds in the AWD configuration.
Interior-wise, the first-generation CX-9 faired much better than its Ford counterparts. It provided features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and keyless entry. These seemingly small additions gave the CX-9 a much more luxurious feel than what the price tag alluded to.
Moving into the second-generation CX-9 shows how much Mazda wanted to move away from its cheaper plastic past. Now brandishing aluminum door trim to break up the leather throughout the cabin, you get a more modern sense of styling. Using the new “Kodo” design philosophy, Mazda uses its distinct three gauges and commander knob for the infotainment controls.
As for reliability, the CX-9 has minimal issues involving the drivetrain. Most consumer complaints are seemingly wear-and-tear items, such as brake pad wear and leaking struts, mostly noted with the older model years.
With current model years, there aren’t many complaints, but they haven’t stood the test of time for used cars yet. Recalls for the first-generation Mazda CX-9 mainly consist of airbag issues, again related to the Takata brand.
As for the second generation, there are minimal problems so far, with one 2018 recall involving 7,000 vehicles due to faulty interior wiring.
If you’re after a first-generation, you’re in luck, as these can be found with under 100,000 miles for roughly $12,000. Although a bit steeper in price than the lower CX-7, you do get a much nicer interior, better reliability, and more cargo space for the money spent.
If you’re in the market for a new second-generation CX-9, you are looking at spending at least $25,000. With this, though, you are guaranteed a much better car for the money with more technology, better safety, gas mileage, the list goes on.
Which is the Best Mazda SUV?
Although there aren’t many Mazda SUVs to pick from, there are easy stand-out choices for used and new. If you are looking for something practical that’s still small enough to swing into parking spaces, shopping for a 2009 or newer Mazda Tribute is the best option.
Floating around the $10,000 price range for low-mile examples, you get something a bit more rugged than the CX-7, and you don’t have to worry about early turbocharged engine issues.
When considering a newer Mazda SUV, it is hard to go wrong with their longest-standing SUV model, the CX-9. We would recommend shopping for a slightly older CX-9 like a 2017 model. Grab something that has already depreciated a bit, but under 40,000 miles, so you keep a factory warranty and still have most of the newer features.
Photos: Mazda
