There is a spectrum to crossovers, and while most consumers are familiar with smaller crossovers there is a growing market for crossovers that close the gap between sedan and SUV. Not too large and not too small, these crossovers can offer the best of two worlds; a nimble driving experience paired with extra cargo/passenger space. Mazda has proven itself to be a formidable designer in the crossover arena and with the 2018 CX-9 they’ve proven that going slightly bigger can be the answer to enjoying this side of the crossover spectrum.
What I Dig about the 2018 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring
More cargo space than the CX-5 – I’ve been pleased witht Mazda’s offerings when it comes to the CX-5; so much so that I often recommend it to friends who are in the market for a crossover. One it’s only drawbacks is the interior space it provides, particularly in the cargo area. In the 2018 CX-5, only 31 cubic feet of space is available in the back; 59.6 with the seats down. The 2018 CX-9, by comparison, actually has less cargo space at 14.4 cubic feet but a larger 71,2 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row of seats lowered. This is huge because those nearly 12 cubic feet of extra space in the CX-9 make a significant difference. Of course this assumes that the third row seat is always down, which in reality will probably always be case. More on that later.
There is still slightly slimmer leg room up front in the CX-9 when compared to simliar corssover but its not a real issue. Unless your a dude that insist on sitting spread eagle.
As Classy as 007 – The entire Mazda portfolio is as aesthetically cool as ice and the CX-9 benefits from this confident approach to design. There’s no obnoxious curves, no jagged lines or brash stylings here. Instead every design cue feels calculated and integral to a larger overall aesthetic that encompasses Mazda’s “Feel Alive” tagline. There is a rounded, oval appearance in the exterior of the CX-9 but its angular as well, to just the right degrees. The horizontal lines across the back of the vehicle give the CX-9 a touch of modern edge while the upturned grill at the nose looks like a smile that brightens up the entire front end. At 199.4 inches, it’s longer than say the Toyota Highlander, but it doesn’t feel that way. It’s the perfect size for a large crossover .
Safety Tech for Everyone – Modern safety technologies like blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are usually costly add-ons but Mazda has seen fit to add this type of tech as standard add-ons on all it’s vehicles. There is a slight uptick in price of course but once the convenience of these feature are sampled, its difficult to image driving without them. I’ll admit that I wasn’t brave enough to test the automatic braking on the CX-9 during my week of test driving, not because I didn’t trust the tech but more so because I abide by the age-old philosophy of “if it ain’t yours, don’t break it.” I have, however, experienced Mazda’s emergency braking technology at other automotive test driving events and I can safely saythat it worked beautifully.
Interior Minimalism – The CX-9 is just as swanky on the inside as it is on the outside, with a carefully crafted minimalistic design aesthetic that works just as well in the cabin as on the exterior. Build materials feel nice to the touch and there is an appealing balance struck between silver trim and black supple plastic. The real star of the show, is the super clean dash configuration leading towards the infotainment screen set high near the windshield and all the way down to the center console. Every component is its place, layered around empty space that allows for all these elements to live in convenient reach of both driver and passenger. Nothing feels over crowded and it’s not often that I actually write the words “those air condition vents look nice.” But they do. They’re a jewel of beauty in a world of ugly crossover air vent configuration (Santa Fe I’m looking at you.)
Handles like a car half its size – Mazda engineers in charge of fine tuning the driving experience have been doing a bang up job across all of the their vehicles and the CX-9 is no exception. It felt as light and nimble as a vehicle half its size with a weight distribution that allowed for a confident feel of constant control. Maneuvering well in dense city traffic, the CX-9 begs for the open road with a nice quiet cabin and smooth steering on paved asphalt.
What Doesn’t Excitement Me about the Mazda 2018 CX-9 Grand Touring
No V-6 Option – I’m most likely in the minority here but I can’t help but wonder what a V-6 option for the CX-9 would have felt like. It might have added some heft to the vehicle, no doubt, but acceleration may have improved. All of the CX-9 trims come equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 that produces 250 horsepower with 310 pound-feet of torque. This particular block was very satisfactory and while it was a bit slow on the uptake, it maintained its power in the higher gears. I just wish
What third row? – While the CX-9 technically has
The Perfect Vehicle For…
During my week with the 2018 CX-9, I had to the opportunity to park it next to a 2018 Mazda CX-5 in the parking lot of the office where I work. I did so purposefully so that I could get a side by side comparison and what jumped out at me the most was that visually the CX-9 isn’t copiously larger than the CX-5. I dig the CX-5 – I’ve even recommended to a few car-buyer friends – but perched next to a CX-9, it’s obvious how small it is. Not drastically smaller but small enough to emphasize that the CX-9 is actually a perfect shape for a large crossover.
I’ll chalk this opinion up to being a new father, but the CX-9 is actually the perfect vehicle for a specific consumer – parents of 2 or more children that do not want to opt for a large SUV or the “dreaded” minivan. It’s got the sophisticated edge that the modern parent craves but enough back seat and cargo room to tote around the fam. Just don’t expect to get a lot of use out of that third row as your children get older and taller. But by that time, you’ll be handing the keys to the CX-9 down to your kids anyway and upgrading to the latest model.
