2015 Mazda CX-9 CUV Road Test Review

By Bob Plunkett

Oklahoma 1, a ridgeback road of squiggly blacktop draped over the pine-spiked Ouachita Mountains, serves as a serpentine test track to sample the athletic personality and road-hugging agility of the latest iteration of CX-9, Mazda's souped-up and sporty-driving crossover utility vehicle.

Appearing distinctive as dressed in an aerodynamic shell, CX-9 of 2015 rides on the stretched-wheelbase chassis of a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car and carves out a generous passenger compartment with three rows of seats for as many as seven riders.

A long 113.2-inch wheelbase length fosters a smooth ride quality while the generous wheel track width (65.1-inch front/64.7-inch rear) adds stability for turning. Further, it's rigged with lively independent suspension elements and crisp rack and pinion steering to fashion a ride quality that's smooth and comfortable for passengers yet also nimble and responsive.

As a result, the CX-9 tracks keenly through sharp esses and broad sweepers with precise control and at times evokes the traits of a sporty car.

Leave it to Mazda, that "Zoom-Zoom" brand from Japan steeped in the production of fun-to-drive cars like the MX-5 Miata roadster and Mazda3 hatchback, to take a sporty tack on the seemingly mundane concept of a people-hauling 5-door crossover wagon.

Our tester CX-9, in top-grade Grand Touring trim, feels spry and athletic in action with all of the engine's power sent to the wheels in front -- the ones which also steer. This ability of the wheels to both turn and steer the wagon makes it quite agile, and entirely predictable.

But the CX-9 also offers an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction system. With this electronically controlled system, various sensors at the wheels direct control modules to automatically distribute the engine's torque to whichever wheels are most capable of achieving a good grip.

Mazda's CUV also has nimble steering attributes from the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system, as the brakes pin a disc at every wheel with electronic link to an anti-lock brake system (ABS), plus electronic brake force distribution (EBD), a traction control system (TCS) and dynamic stability control (DSC) to check lateral skidding.

Muscle for CX-9 is derived from a forceful V6 engine which displaces 3.7 liters and has a high compression ratio of 10.3:1. The aluminum plant employs electronic throttle control with chain-driven dual overhead camshafts, four valves-per-cylinder and variable intake valve timing. The V6 develops 273 hp at 6250 rpm with the torque pushed up to 270 lb-ft at 4250 rpm.

Transmission is the impressive Aisin 6-speed electronic automatic with sport-shift manual mode.

With the 6-speed auto shifter in play, the 2015 CX-9 earns EPA fuel economy scores up to 24 mpg for highway cruising in the FWD edition, or 22 mpg with AWD equipment.

Layout of the CX-9 cabin shows three rows of seats and an aft bay for cargo. On the first row two bolstered bucket seats flank a floor console. On the second row a bench-style seat for three with five inches of fore-and-aft slide travel splits 60-40 and has reclining backrests. On the third row, a split bench makes room for two more riders.

Both the second-row bench and third bench fold flat to the floor to expand the wagon's cargo capacity. With the rear bench raised, the bay contains 17.2 cubic feet of stow room. With the third bench folded, space expands to 48.3 cubic feet, and with both back rows folded down, the cavernous bay measures to 100.7 cubic feet.

Mazda's trim levels for the CX-9 consist of Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, each available with FWD or AWD traction. Standard equipment for all versions includes a 3-zone automatic climate system, power windows and door locks, a remote keyless entry device with retractable key, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise control tabs, leather-bound steering wheel and shift knob, Bluetooth connectivity, a 5.8-inch in-dash touch screen, auxiliary jack and USB ports plus enhanced audio features such as HD Radio Technology.

New package options for 2015 models extend to the Sport recreational accessory package, Touring technology package and Grand Touring rear seat entertainment system.

Mazda's 2015 MSRP figures rise from $29,985 for the CX-9 Sport/FWD to $36,625 for a CX-9 Grand Touring/AWD.