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What does ATG think about the Mazda CX-9?

JTsyo

JTsyo

Lifer
Anyone own one or drive it? It's on the list of contenders for my wife's next car. She currently has a 06 Escape hybrid but since she is driving mostly highway, I might use that. Figured it would be nice to have a bigger car now with the kids but not quite go all out for a minivan. What else should I look at that can seat 7 or 8 and costs under 35K or so.
 
I had a coworker that had one for a while. She ended up trading it in and getting a Kia Sorento because it got horrid gas mileage.
 
It's huge. It's the size of a Chevy Traverse. I originally thought they were just a smidgen bigger than a cx-7.
It rides awesomely, accelerates quickly, and it's interior is inviting.
I would take this over any minivan if third row seating is needed.
But it's heavy. Mileage suffers.
If she needs a huge CUV, this is the one to get.
Cross shop with the minivans and third row sized CUV's. The Traverse has a Buick and GMC cousin.
 
An Excellent 7-paasenger SUV.

If you need a 7-passenger SUV
Have the Wife test drive:

Ford Explorer
Dodge Durango
CX-9
Hyundai Veracruz
Chevy Traverse
Ford Flex
GMC Acadia
Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot

Not a bad choice in the bunch:
 
CrackRabbit said:
I had a coworker that had one for a while. She ended up trading it in and getting a Kia Sorento because it got horrid gas mileage.
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My uncle also has one and says it gets pretty bad mileage on it too, something like 16 mpg. I just can't see any crossover type vehicle having any decent third row seats that would be comfy. You'd be better off with some sort of minivan if you need more than 4 seats.
 
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I like it, but the Acadia is my favorite in the category. The Pilot has always been a good vehicle, but I can't get over the looks. Out of the ones listed above, I really don't think there's a dud in the bunch.
 
I drove one once for a few hours. It looks good, drives nicely and there's lots of space inside. Gas mileage really doesn't look much worse than most other competitors in its class.
 
Hope you get free gas.

Literally millions of people in the US who are too prideful for a minivan burn through gas with inferior vehicles (you want big go check out a Toyota sienna, the thing could fit a CX9 in its trunk with all the seats up), but pride is never cheap. Neighbors a couple doors down two years back bought a full size SUV because "I refuse to drive a minivan". Well, now it sits in their driveway as they try and sell it and guess what they are driving? A minivan. Better on gas, lower purchase price, sliding doors kick ass with kids.

I actually really like the Pilot because it seats 8 and is huge in the back, bigger than a CX9 or highlander. It's basically an AWD minivan (think sienna AWD, for example), but without sliding doors. But then if we're honest that's all most of these unibody "SUV's" are anyway, a huge price premium to have the sliding doors replaced with non-sliding, and a touch more tow capacity (that will never be used).

There are tons of Pilots around, too, which means decent price and I believe that they withstand road salt very well. I've seen very few with appreciable rust on them. IMO it's quite possibly the third-row family hauler to beat if you're unwilling to drive a minivan.
 
Agree with Doppel 100%. Crossovers are retarded, worst of both world type cars. If you need space get a minivan.
 
Doppel said:
Hope you get free gas.

Literally millions of people in the US who are too prideful for a minivan burn through gas with inferior vehicles (you want big go check out a Toyota sienna, the thing could fit a CX9 in its trunk with all the seats up), but pride is never cheap. Neighbors a couple doors down two years back bought a full size SUV because "I refuse to drive a minivan". Well, now it sits in their driveway as they try and sell it and guess what they are driving? A minivan. Better on gas, lower purchase price, sliding doors kick ass with kids.

I actually really like the Pilot because it seats 8 and is huge in the back, bigger than a CX9 or highlander. It's basically an AWD minivan (think sienna AWD, for example), but without sliding doors. But then if we're honest that's all most of these unibody "SUV's" are anyway, a huge price premium to have the sliding doors replaced with non-sliding, and a touch more tow capacity (that will never be used).

There are tons of Pilots around, too, which means decent price and I believe that they withstand road salt very well. I've seen very few with appreciable rust on them. IMO it's quite possibly the third-row family hauler to beat if you're unwilling to drive a minivan.
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You can say the same thing about sports sedans vs family sedans, engine upgrades, etc. If practicality ruled the world, fun or styling would be banned.
 
I've test driven the CX7 (Turbo AWD version) and CX9. Note that it was only test drives, and I do not own nor have had longer term experience with them. I also speak as someone who likes sporty vehicles with manual transmissions.

CX9 was very comfortable. It was also very sluggish and drove like a barge. I would never consider purchasing one for myself.

CX7 Turbo was okay. Almost felt like I was driving my Mazdaspeed 6, albeit at a more sluggish pace and with auto transmission. If I were to EVER buy a crossover/SUV type vehicle, I would imagine it to be like this CX7 Turbo, but with manual transmission. Basically, it was responsive and it handled reasonably well.
 
foghorn67 said:
You can say the same thing about sports sedans vs family sedans, engine upgrades, etc. If practicality ruled the world, fun or styling would be banned.
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The difference is that the SUV is a lie. It's like a surfboard bolted to the top of a PT Cruiser. Just as we can laugh at a board that will never see surf we can laugh at an SUV that's never going to see trail.

SUV's are for people insecure in their sexuality. So it's the symptom of a psychological problem, not a fashion statement.
 
I have one and am quite pleased...terrific mazda handling & road manners, plenty of torque & hp, nicely appointed leather interior, luxurious & comfy, seats seven easily...a great family vehicle. And it accelerates quickly and stops confidently.
 
DominionSeraph said:
The difference is that the SUV is a lie. It's like a surfboard bolted to the top of a PT Cruiser. Just as we can laugh at a board that will never see surf we can laugh at an SUV that's never going to see trail.

SUV's are for people insecure in their sexuality. So it's the symptom of a psychological problem, not a fashion statement.
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keep your trolling in ATOT.
 
We bought one new 2 years ago and it's been an awesome vehicle. It's quick for it's size and handles great. To me the handling is more towards a car than an SUV like a lot of SUV/Crossover vehicles out there.

The third row isn't going to be comfortable for an adult for a long drive, but my teenage son has sat in the third row for an 8 hour trip and was able to sleep/sit comfortable. It's nice having that extra row when you need it and when kids have friends over.

It's comfortable and we've been very happy with it.
 
Fmr12B said:
Yes - Toyota Sienna. MSRP $44,765 - Must buy Limited model to get AWD option.
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If you want a minivan with AWD, but are considering the CX-9, then you really need to check out the Ford Flex. If adjustable pedals are important to the primary driver, (e.g. my wife is 5'0") then the Flex has few if any peers. Add the Ecoboost engine and you have a classy, comfy ride, with a lot of character and cartoonishly fast to boot. My wife and I really like her Flex 😀
 
Flex looks like a nice ride, but it is also quite expensive and certainly smaller than a Sienna inside 😉
 
ichy said:
Agree with Doppel 100%. Crossovers are retarded, worst of both world type cars. If you need space get a minivan.
Click to expand...

Crossovers are great. I get Subaru's top tier AWD system, the ground clearance of a Jeep, and 29mpg.

I wouldn't get a large SUV or a minivan, due to both having underwhelming fuel economy.
 
I am getting 23-25 mpg (all highway miles, stops at .25 miles, 5 miles, 23 miles, and destination at 46 miles) with a NA 2.5L 2011 Forester loaner. I would be very impressed to see 29 mpg from a CX-9; that said, the NA FWD Flex is rated at 27mpg (highway).
 
I own a cx7. I didn't need the extra power for lugging the family around and the extra gas milage is nice. No real complaints at all.
 
Cross shopped most everything with three rows for about 18 months, Taurus X is lighter than most, simpler, knocks back 23MPG consistently for us, and is cheap as can be on the used market, being completely unloved.

Not as sporty driving as the CX-9 but roomier inside and probably 30-40% less expensive, leaving you more money for a sportscar/bike/jeep/whatevertoy.
 
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