Mazda CX-9 GT AWD 2016 Review

Mazda CX-9 GT AWD
Road Test

The popular Mazda CX-9 has been updated with a new design, new technologies and new engine. The changes have delivered an SUV which is an incredibly well-rounded package with little to fault. Mazda is taking the premium SUV fight to the Europeans, and with a price point of $61,640 for the GT model on test, you’d be hard pressed to find a vehicle at this price and with the same level of finesse and specification from any of the European stables.

When choosing an all-wheel drive vehicle capable of tackling the snow of Victoria’s Alps, there are myriad options. A Range Rover is de rigueur at Mount Buller, while a Ford Everest is named for the job, but the new Mazda CX-9 is certainly not the obvious choice.

While Mazda’s updated showpiece SUV may look more soft-roader than off-roader, each of the four grades in the CX-9 line-up is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

For our family trip to the snow, I took the reins of the GT model with Mazda’s iACTIVE permanent all-wheel drive system. The GT sits under the range-topping Azami model which is the CX-9 you pick if you want all the driver assistance bells and whistles; but the GT is packed with enough features that you definitely don’t feel like you’re going without.

Each new CX-9 model features the same all-new 170kW, 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged-petrol engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s no manual option or diesel powertrain available, and you can thank the heavy focus on developing this vehicle for the US market for this lack of fuel choice.

That said, the petrol engine is still capable of achieving impressive fuel economy figures for a vehicle of its size, promising a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 8.8L/100km. Over my week with the CX-9, it covered 1300 kilometres of mixed driving which included lengthy freeway stints and a climb to Mount Hotham which stands at 1861m.

For the week, it recorded fuel consumption of 10.6L/100km which is not too shabby considering the torquey engine has been calibrated to deliver what Mazda claims is usable torque on par with a 4.0-litre V8. And that torque is 420Nm which makes for a surprisingly sporty drive from a car that looks a lot heavier than it behaves.

A lot of the CX-9’s efficiency comes from its clever iACTIVE all-wheel drive system, which sends 100 per cent of the drive to the front wheels in regular driving conditions. To see just how capable the system is, check out our recent crossing of the Simpson Desert in an iACTIVE-equipped CX-3 and CX-5.

Power is only sent to all four wheels once the car has determined that that is required. The CX-9 is making hundreds of calculations every second to manage its own power delivery – it even uses the outside temperature and monitors whether the windscreen wipers are in use to work out the weather conditions.

In the case of our trip up the mountain at dawn, the CX-9 encountered snow on the road before the ploughs had been out to clear. While the snow wasn’t deep, the slush on the road was enough to give the all-wheel drive smarts a work out. The Mazda didn’t miss a beat, and was assured as we picked our way up the mountain.

Once on regular tarmac and through the Alpine twists and turns, the CX-9 handled well, in fact for such a big vehicle, there’s virtually no body roll and its road-holding is smooth and composed. It’s a pleasure to drive and feels like it can be pushed quite hard. It occurs that for the price and specification, this could be an SUV for drivers finally stepping out of their Calais Sportwagon and making the inevitable move to a high-riding family-hauler.

The Mazda CX-9 in GT guise is certainly reminiscent of a Calais V level vehicle. It is packed with great features and the interior finish is superb – definitely on a par with European vehicles that will set you back at least $30,000 more than the CX-9’s price tag. All CX-9 models are equipped with features including tri-zone climate control with independent rear control, seven seats, satellite navigation, internet radio, advanced blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert and a reverse camera.

The mid spec Touring model and the GT add leather trim, a larger 8.0-inch touch screen display, front seats with heating function and centre armrest storage with USB ports. The GT ups the ante further with 20-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, remote operated power tailgate, head-up display, sunroof, digital radio (DAB+), front parking sensors and BOSE sound system.

The head-up display in the CX-9 is one of the best we’ve seen. It’s full colour display includes speed limit information and tachometer, clear navigation instructions and alerts for blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic also appear.

It feels like there’s an incredible level of focus that’s gone into delivering the detail of the CX-9. Some vehicles can feel like the coming together of several parts – display screens are mismatched, controls are not where you expect them to be or you get features on some that feel premium while others lack details you expect to see, but in the CX-9, everything feels like it works together.

Little details like the USB ports in the rear armrest are welcomed by teenagers in the second row (and parents who don’t have to unplug their own devices to charge theirs).

It’s hard to pick faults with the CX-9 but there are couple of features which would be nice to have. There’s no air vents in the third row, and given our hot weather, third-row passengers – and dogs in the rear of vehicles welcome vents to the rear. I’d also like to see the addition of a 360-degree camera, given the dimensions of the CX-9 it would make manoeuvring a fair bit easier in car parks.

Neither of these should be deal breakers if you’re one of the 82,000 people who registered to receive more information on the new CX-9. If there’s a new SUV in your near future, then you’d do well to make it the new Mazda flagship. It really is an exceptional package that is worth cross-shopping against some of Europe’s finest.

2016 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $61,640 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 170kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 206g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription ($100,950 plus on road costs)
>> Audi Q7 ($96,300)
>> Kia Sorento Platinum (from $54,990 plus ORCs)