2013 Mazda CX-9 Launch Review
MAZDA CX-9 REVIEW
What’s hot: Refreshed new styling; big car ride, big car comfort
What’s not: A diesel would be useful; petrol V6 a tad thirsty
X-factor: What family buyer wouldn’t like this car? Seven seats, quiet, strong and comfortable.
Vehicle style: Large SUV
Engine: 3.7 litre petrol V6 | Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power/torque: 204kW/367Nm
Fuel consumption listed: 11.0 l/100km (2WD), 11.2 l/100km (AWD)
Fuel consumption tested: 13.1 l/100km (both 2WD and AWD)
OVERVIEW
There’s something a little old-fashioned and nicely reminiscent about Mazda’s 'new' CX-9. It’s the way it feels on road.
It has that loping, comfortable, softly-sprung feel of the now-departed Ford Fairlane.
Yes, you could drive the CX-9 to Tibooburra or Meekatharra, and you’d barely notice the road surface below - the juddering of the corrugations reduced to some minor distant intrusion.
The new model brings little change under the skin – the same 3.7 litre V6, the same six-speed transmission and 2WD and AWD variants – and little change, really, in exterior lines.
The snout is new, the CX-9 now closely follows the styling themes of the smaller CX-5, as are the tail-lights (now more Tourareg-like).
Ditto for the interior; it was always one of the better places to find yourself in, and remains that way.
Perhaps Mazda missed a chance by not introducing a diesel with the new model, but, if the thirst of the petrol V6 doesn’t deter you, the CX-9 remains among the better ones.
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