Buying a used Mazda CX-9 (2011-18)

Mazda had for decades built passenger buses based on its delivery vans, but never a sumptuous seven-seat people mover like the CX-9.

Mazda’s original version was a product of long-standing cooperation with Ford, built on the Ford CD3 platform which also underpinned the Mazda 6. Indicating its importance to Mazda’s US presence, the CX-9 made its debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show.

Australia’s first CX-9s were from that original TB series and arrived in late 2007. They used Mazda’s enlarged 3.7-litre V6 engine and all versions came with six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was initially available in some markets, but all locally delivered CX-9s had all-wheel drive until 2011 when a front-wheel drive option was offered.

Minor changes to the TB Series were made in 2010, but 2012 would bring some significant and enduring changes to CX-9 styling. The structure, wheelbase and general configuration didn’t change, but sheet metal was all new, forward of the windscreen, the grille, bumper and headlights, and also at the rear in the case of the tail-light clusters. The facelift can be identified by the ‘Kodo’ five-point grille which dips below the front bumper.

In 2016, when introducing the upgraded TC Series, Mazda elected to introduce a modernised structure, expanding the CX-9 model range and deleting the old and cumbersome V6 engine. In its place came a smaller but still potent 2.5-litre turbo engine, with 169kW and 420 Nm available. The new engine adopted Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology to improve fuel efficiency.

Compensating for the 35kW decline in power were weight savings that for some models topped 200kg.

Mazda’s CX-9 had been available to Australia for some years, but we begin in 2012; part-way through the tenure of the TB Series CX-9 when styling changes brought the big Mazda into line with smaller siblings.

While fifth series (TB facelift) versions of the CX-9 changed their appearance quite markedly, mechanical specification and pricing changed only marginally.

One major change was the introduction of a Classic variant with front wheel drive. These initially cost $44,525, or $5000 less than the existing All Wheel Drive version.

Fifth series CX-9s retained the powerful 3.7-litre V6, with 204kW and 367Nm of torque. Six-speed automatic transmission was standard for front and all-wheel-drive versions.

Even in Classic trim, the CX-9 was far from being an empty shell, with multi-zone air-conditioning and separate controls for middle seat occupants, a reclining middle seat, wipers that self-activated and headlights that did the same. Six speakers for the sound system seemed skimpy, though, in a vehicle the size of the CX-9.

Next in line, but after a serious price jump of $7300, was the CX-9 Luxury variant, which despite its name wasn’t actually the most luxurious CX-9 available here. Front wheel drive versions cost $52,980, with AWD again adding $5000.

Despite the price, the CX-9 Luxury presented when new as the more appealing package. More than a decade later, early versions cost only a little more than Classic variants that have travelled similar distances. Inside was trimmed in leather, front seats featured electric controls for everything including lumbar adjustment for the driver. There was a 10-speaker sound system with amplifier, sub-woofer and digital processing. Capping the lot was an electric sunroof.

Add eye-catching 20 inch alloy wheels and plenty of exterior chrome, and this is the used CX-9 that most buyers were choosing.

Top of the range at $63,000 but still popular with the market was the Mazda’s CX-9 Grand Touring. These were sold only as All Wheel Drives and appealed to people who needed space for seven and wanted to venture occasionally onto bush tracks or beaches.

Most obvious amongst the Grand Touring’s extra features was a full suite of Driver Assistance features including lane-departure warning, forward collision alert, park distance sensors and a reversing camera,

Late 2016 brought Australia a CX-9 in updated TC form; a version that had been launched some months earlier to overseas markets.

Visually the CX-9 looked little different, but it was effectively a completely new vehicle; slightly shorter but 33mm wider and 19mm taller than the TB. Significant reductions in transmitted road noise were one benefit of the new design, as was improved access and better comfort for those riding in the rear-most row of seating.

Overall, the new CX-9 package was so impressive it earned the Carsales Car of the Year Award for 2016, but there was room for improvement.

There were still no air-vents serving those in the third row of seats and insufficient room under the floor for a full-sized spare wheel. Anyone planning on using their CX-9 for interstate or rural area journeys needs to find some way of carrying a proper spare to avoid the risks of a restrictive and potentially dangerous temporary tyre.

In other respects, though, the TC Series CX-9 delivered a range of safety features and driver aids which now included rear cross traffic alert and autonomous braking at up to 60km/h, effective when moving forward or in reverse.

The entire CX-9 range now offered the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive, with pricing for the FWD Sport kicking off at an enticing $42,490. Most costly was the Azami which in AWD form listed at $63,990. The pick of the group for value versus specification was probably the AWD Touring. These when new in late 2016 cost $48,990 in front wheel drive form or $52,990 as an AWD.

They still made do with a basic sound system but did score the bigger dash display, an array of wheel-mounted remote controls plus electrically adjustable leather seats.

Safety had featured strongly for decades in Mazda designs, so CX-9 buyers enjoyed some of the best protection available. When tested in front offset, side impact and pole impact collisions, the TC Series CX-9 scored a near impeccable 35.87 from a possible 37 points. This achievement was helped by deployment at all trim levels of airbags to protect the head, side and knees of occupants in all three rows of seats, plus electronic stability and trailer stability control.

If you’re into bolting past convoys of B Doubles or breaking the lap record for long-wheelbase production cars at your local track, then forget the CX-9.

These roomy vehicles come with plenty of power, but lots of weight as well. Early versions with the V6 engine carry more than two tonnes empty and although later turbo-engined models cut that by around 200 kilos, a CX-9 when loaded with seven humans quickly headed towards 2.5 tonnes.

Throw in a steep climb and bumpy beach access road with a fishing tinny in tow and the CX-9 will struggle where an Explorer or Prado wouldn’t. Tow capacity for a braked trailer is a reasonable 2000kgs.

Head back to town though and the CX-9’s inherent serenity becomes apparent. All-round visibility is good, and for those places you can’t see there should be a sensor or camera coverage.

At 5.1 metres long and almost two metres wide the CX-9 is big, but not cumbersome. It also sits lower than a seven-seat Prado or Patrol so you stand a better chance of not tripping the height sensor when entering an underground carpark.

Once inside, the park sensors and a reversing camera that doesn’t mind low light make for easy parking between the lines.

Open road response from either engine is good, with manual downshifting preferable when grabbing the right gear for overtaking. A turbo version when tested in 2016 flew from 80-120km/h in 5.2 seconds and that is exceptional for a blunt object weighing 1845kg.

Steering was also said to be amongst the best available in a vehicle of this genre, with excellent feel and an 11.8 metre turning circle.

Fuel consumption with the V6 engine is unsurprisingly ordinary and those wanting a commuter car should look for a 2.5-litre.

Where the 3.7-litre CX-9 in all-wheel drive form was said to average 11L/100km, the real-world number was closer to 14L/100km. In comparison, the lighter and more efficient 2.5T returned an official average of 8.8L/100km and real-world consumption of around 11L/100km.

With all seats in use there is barely space behind for two small bags. And forget stowing the picnic Esky, which instead needs to sit on someone’s lap. Touring with only two rows of seats in use is far more practical, with available storage space soaring to over 800 litres.

Headroom right up the back could be tight for adults or tall teens, due to the sloping roof, but it’s fine for younger kids. One long-term gripe is the lack of third-row cooling vents, which means air needs to find its way over the centre seat. Middle row occupants do get their own ventilation controls though.

All rear seating positions have tether points for child seats and ISOFIX points at either end of the second row.

Used vehicle grading for Mazda CX-9 2011-18
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 18/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for Money: 13/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 72/100

Also consider:
Honda Odyssey
Kia Carnival
Toyota Kluger

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