COTY 2016 Best SUV Under $50K: Mazda CX-9
Mazda biggest model claims top spot in the sub-$50K SUV class of carsales.com.au's Car of the Year for 2016Safe and practical with lively handling dynamics all bound up in a classy, quiet and high-tech package, the new Mazda CX-9 hits a sweet spot in the SUV world.
Our judges named the second-generation CX-9 seven-seater Carsales Car Of The Year best SUV under $50,000 because it gets almost everything right and almost nothing wrong, including standard safety equipment.
All models sold in Australia are fitted as standard with autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Together, these systems scan the road ahead, beside and behind the vehicle to warn of and, in the case of AEB, even brake the car automatically if an imminent collision is detected.
Six airbags cover all three seating rows, there's a standard reversing camera and, although third-row occupants miss out on face-level air-vents, getting in and out of the rear-most seats is easier than with most of its rivals. Better yet, stretching room for all seven passengers is outstanding.
Despite being a big vehicle, the Mazda CX-9 is a doddle to drive thanks to responsive steering, a tidy chassis and a dynamic new 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. It rarely feels as large as it looks, and is as easy to place on the road as it is to park.
Mazda's new flagship SUV is one of the quietest SUVs we've tested in recent times and, together with improved cabin quality, the high-riding seven-seat wagon has an upscale look and feel.
Although real-world fuel consumption isn't outstanding, the new CX-9 consistently impressed judges in every criteria, setting a new benchmark in the class.
Read a review of the Mazda CX-9
The carsales.com.au Car of the Year winners are:
2016 carsales.com.au Car of the Year category winners:
Best First Car: Skoda Fabia
Best City Car: Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
Best Family Car Under $30K: Skoda Octavia
Best Family Car Over $30K: Mazda6
Best Green Car: BMW i3 ReX
Best Offroad 4x4: Ford Ranger
Best Performance Car Under $100K: Ford Focus RS
Best Performance Car Over $100K: Porsche 911 Carrera S
Best Prestige Car Under $100K: Audi A4
Best Prestige Car Over $100K: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Best SUV Under $50K: Mazda CX-9
Best SUV Over $50K: Audi Q7
Best Tradie vehicle: Ford Ranger
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