AIMS: Kodo-look Mazda CX-9 makes world debut

Mazda’s flagship SUV has come in for a midlife makeover and the new-look CX-9 appeared for the first time globally at today’s Sydney motor show, before it reaches local showrooms in December.

Apart from revised exterior and interior styling, the upgraded seven-seat wagon brings an improved infotainment system and a range of advanced (but optional) ‘i-ACTIVESENSE’ safety features, including Forward Obstruction Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control and Blind Spot Monitoring.

However, the 2013 CX-9 - which is marketed as Mazda’s most premium SUV in more than 70 countries - misses out on the new Mazda6’s radar-based active cruise control, rear cross-traffic and automatic low-speed braking systems.

Of course, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Traction Control System (TCS) and a reversing camera continue to be standard across the range.

As seen in the first official images last month, the upgraded CX-9 features new front-end styling that brings it into line with Mazda’s latest ‘Kodo’ design theme and makes the big crossover appear smaller and more sporting from the front.

Apart from the new front bumper, grille, headlights (comprising LED daytime running lamps with a ‘halo ring light guide’ for selected models), tail-lights, chromed foglight bezels and 20-inch alloy wheels with a high-lustre finish, the latest CX-9 will also be available in three new exterior paint colours: Meteor Grey Mica, Zeal Red Mica and Brilliant Black.

The changes continue inside, where Mazda has fitted more soft-touch surfaces, glossy new Bordeaux-coloured decoration panels, satin-silver highlights, white-illuminated instrument dials, a redesigned gearshifter, higher-quality leather trim for the steering wheel, leather seat trim with perforated centre sections and suede and dark-red stitching on the seats and door trims.

The CX-9’s upgraded infotainment system now offers the latest audio, navigation and speech-recognition systems as part of Mazda’s Human Machine Interface (HMI), while a USB connector has been added to the audio system and the Bluetooth profile has been upgraded to AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) version 1.4, allowing users to repeat tracks, shuffle tracks and select folders via the steering wheel controls.

Its navigation system also allows users to update map and other software data via an SD card and now shows current road conditions and selects optimal routes and estimate arrival times based on historical data on a server, while the voice recognition system’s microphone gains a new noise-control and wind-noise-suppression processor to deliver clearer call quality.

Finally, the upgraded system’s phone directory capacity is dramatically increased to 1000 contacts, while speech recognition and a speed-dial function makes phone calls easier.

The CX-9 remains mechanically unchanged, although it revised front bumper adds 7mm of overall length, making it 5096mm long – but still 1936mm wide and 1728mm high.

The facelifted CX-9 continues to be powered by a 204kW/367Nm MZI 3.7-litre petrol V6, matched as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Mazda will reveal full pricing and specification details when the new-look CX-9 is formally launched on December 3.

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