Mazda CX-9 GT 2017 Review

Talk about pressure…
Critical acclaim doesn’t always align with popular choice.

Take the Toyota HiLux: a solid ute with a penchant for carrying things, but the most popular vehicle on sale in Australia? Wouldn’t have picked that a few years ago…

A similar thought bubble hovers as we welcome Mazda’s widely-acclaimed CX-9 SUV as motoring.com.au’s latest long-term fleet member. This vehicle is our reigning Car of the Year champion, finishing ahead of a bumper crop of contestants in our 2016 flagship award.

But how does all that correlate with owning the CX-9 as a daily driver? Cue ‘our’ $57,390 (plus on-road costs) front-wheel drive Mazda CX-9 GT.

The penultimate CX-9 model, behind only the Azami, the GT is quite a lavish affair inside and out.

Twenty-inch wheels, chrome accenting, keyless entry and LED driving lights imbue our ‘Soul Red’ example with a classy outside appearance, while inside, soft white leather-lined seats provide excellent long-journey amenity. There’s also a sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, push button start, one-touch power windows and a remote-operated power tailgate.

On the tech front, the GT model boasts a head-up display, trip computer, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, an eight-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, digital radio and internet radio, and a cracking 12-speaker Bose stereo.

Automated emergency braking, full air bag coverage and the latest acronyms in driver assistance cement the CX-9’s five-star crash rating.

Mazda supports the CX-9 with a three years/unlimited kilometres warranty, plus six-year panel protection, and recommends servicing every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

So, on paper, it stacks up a treat. But once the new car smell has faded and the tyres lose their rubber hairs, how will the CX-9 stand up as a day-to-day vehicle?
Mazda was happy to let the popular SUV do the talking for itself.

Whisper quiet
Geez, it’s quiet. The first unmistakable impressions of the CX-9 GT are excellent cabin fit-and-finish, refinement and noise insulation. In this correspondent’s mind, it’s segment-leading in those areas.

These traits are accentuated by the abundance of white leather, shiny piano black treatments, LCD displays and tasteful metal highlights adorning the interior. Seat warmers quickly pump temperature into cold rumps, while the Bose stereo emits a note to keep the most ardent sound enthusiast happy.

Mazda designers have gone the extra distance in making the CX-9 as compatible as possible with modern Australian families. The fitment of child blinds within the second-row door frames is a masterstroke, as is the installation of four USB points across the cabin.

Those up front are treated to generous door pockets, a deep centre console and adequate cupholders, along with a convenient cubby under the centre binnacle for odds and ends.

The second row seats are equally thoughtful in terms of space, air vents and separate climate controls, and are a cinch to slide forward (allowing access to the third row) and stow flat. There is no tumbling function as found on traditional people movers.

We can’t speak for the third row seats just yet, but we’ll be sure to let you know in later reports. The absence of third-row air vents is a notable omission, though strong proportions and the fitment of a top tether point (in conjunction with three second row top tether points and two second row ISOFIX points) are both big redeemers.

The boot happily swallows a family’s worth of luggage with the seats stowed flat to the floor. If anything, the option of a cargo blind would be handy in securing goods out of sight externally, but otherwise, it’s a great mix.

Soft and supple
You wouldn’t call a seven-seat SUV a driver’s car, but the CX-9 is about as close as you’ll get.

In spite of its 1858kg kerb weight and 5.07-metre long body, the CX-9 is controlled and composed in a touring capacity. Its electrically-assisted steering is linear and accurate while light enough to tackle tight carpark duties with aplomb. We’ve also been impressed by the Mazda’s ability to hold its line and weight through a variety of corners, even when loaded to the hilt with luggage.

These credentials are sweetened by an excellent ride, best described as supple. MacPherson strut front suspension and a multilink rear endow the CX-9 with brilliant control and recovery over everyday imperfections, while larger hits are ironed out without crashing or jarring occupants.

After somehow accumulating 2500km in the first six weeks of our long-term test, we can confidently conclude Mazda has done its homework from a ride and handling perspective.

The CX-9’s small capacity engine and six-speed transmission have been equally admirable. Mazda’s turbo-four is relatively linear from the bottom of the dial, while the six-speed is sharp and well-timed in its shifts, particularly when ‘Sport’ mode is activated.

Step on it and the Mazda responds vigorously, even invoking some slight steering wheel tug as the front Bridgestones strive for traction.

But, as you’ll see below, the driveline isn’t perfect.

Tech troubles
In-car entertainment is crucial in a new car, and on paper, the Mazda looks strong.
The aforementioned suite of tech equipment is relatively easy to access, though not as seamless as it could be.

Mazda’s MZD connect dial lacks intuition. For example, if you select a radio station, and immediately change your mind because you don’t like the song, you have to scroll through multiple screens to pick a new radio stations.

Yes, sometimes it’s the small things.

Another notable omission is the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While we give credit to Mazda for its internet radio capability, the latest phone-mirroring software would go a long way in enhancing the CX-9’s tech credentials.

Elsewhere, the head-up display and digital instrument cluster are clear and concise, projecting information readily to the driver.

Real world fuel use
Across the range, Mazda’s fuel readouts seem a bit optimistic.

Take the Mazda3. It uses a digital bar-based system to measure how much petrol is in the fuel tank (the more bars, the more fuel). Based on previous experience, the first three bars (signifying the three-quarters to full) tend to individually take much longer to dissipate than the bottom nine bars individually do.

In other words, on an extended dealership test drive, based on the fuel readout, you would swear the car had used no fuel at all, then the bottom three quarters of the tank quickly bleeds dry.

Thus, we harbour sneaking suspicions about the projected fuel range of our CX-9 GT, but, until we’ve wrapped more conclusive testing, we’ll reserve our verdict.
For the record, the trip computer indicated we consumed 9.2L/100km in 2500km worth of driving, considerably higher than Mazda’s claimed 8.4L/100km. This was despite a large proportion of highway driving, where the CX-9 is said to consume roughly 6.9L/100km (extra urban cycle).

It is worth remembering, too, these figures were achieved with just one or two people in the car – not an entire family and their accoutrements. We’re currently working on some simulations to corroborate fuel consumption once and for all.
Until then, our reigning Car of the Year is living up to the title admirably. Check back on our future long-term write-ups for more.

Long-Term Tests
motoring.com.au aims to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews, as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend even longer with a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we’ve settled on a three-month period as indicative of ‘normal’ ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, the servicing, and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers a deeper insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Three months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nit-pick — just like real owners do.

2017 Mazda CX-9 GT FWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $57,390 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 170kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.4L/100km (ADR Combined), 9.2L/100km (tested)
CO2: 206g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> Mazda CX-9 2016 Australian Launch Review
>> Mazda CX-9 2016 Video Review
>> Seven-seat SUV 2016 Comparison