2009 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring Calhoun GA

November 20, 2009   By Brian Alexander, Content Editor



2009 Mazda CX-9
DriverSide Overview
There are two types of seven-passenger crossovers: those that feel as bulky and unwieldy as their size and curb weight suggest, and those that manage to mask their ungainly proportions through a well-damped yet agile chassis and adequate, linear power delivery. The 2009 Mazda CX-9 would fall into the latter group. Considering the dynamic abilities of its little brother, the CX-7, it doesn’t come as a complete shock that the CX-9 is surprisingly capable. At the same time, it has room for seven passengers and available all-wheel drive for those who deal with adverse conditions on a regular basis, as well as a host of onboard technology such as voice-activated navigation and Bluetooth. If you’re a “best of both worlds” type of driver, look no further.








What's to Like
The CX-9’s ability to soak up bumps while retaining nimble (for its size) handling is impressive and few road imperfections agitate the chassis. Its exterior style has enough slants and curves to tickle your inner enthusiast, but inside, sporty gauges, a three-spoke steering wheel and simple, angled dash take the game to a whole new level.

What's Not to Like
Front-wheel drive doesn’t suit an SUV of this size very well, and at a premium of just $1,400, all-wheel drive should not be overlooked. Don’t expect to store much of anything in the trunk if you’ve got the rear seats up, and if you’re sitting in them, don’t hope for an abundance of legroom.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
You wouldn’t expect a 4,300-lb crossover to thrill you to death. In fact, you’d probably expect life to get quite dull once the road goes from straight highway to winding two-lane, and that’s where the CX-9 will surprise you. The steering is expectedly light with an artificial feel to it, but gone is the stereotypical on-center dead zone and lack of accuracy. The suspension is firm yet forgiving, and unlike most front-wheel drive vehicles, no kickback is felt through the steering when one of the front wheels crashes through a pothole. Power delivery is adequate across the rev range with plenty of passing power at the top end, while the brakes contain enough grunt to bring the CX-9’s mass down to speed.

Engine and Drivetrain
Unlike most full-size SUVs, the CX-9 doesn’t rely on V-8 power, but instead uses a 3.7-liter V-6 to motivate it along. The engine produces 273 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, which is transmitted to the front or all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with manually selectable gears.

Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
Seat heaters are always a nice perk when clambering into a cold car in the morning, though be warned the items in the CX-9 only have one setting, and the heat can become scalding over longer periods of time. An intermedi...

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