Mazda CX-9 Azami LE 2018 Review

Putting seven-seat amenity, space and safety to one side: the most endearing feature of the updated Mazda CX-9 is actually the way it drives. No, seriously.

At the launch of the 2019 model year update this week in Tasmania, where Mazda picked a drive route arguably more befitting of a supercar, you couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction from the driver’s chair as the CX-9 deftly slotted its way through ribboning stretches of bitumen.

For 2019, Mazda has given its CX-9 range a nip and tuck, adding a new model variant while applying subtle suspension, steering and equipment changes to its evergreen SUV range.

It helps maintain the Mazda CX-9’s clear point of difference from its seven-seat cohort in Australia, one that is largely made up of American-sourced offerings that would chunky-dunk their way along the same stretch of plunging Tasmanian coastline – not skinny dip.

Priced from $44,990 plus on-road costs, the five-variant CX-9 range has been subject to price increases of up to $1100. But it goes some way in justifying that with new range-wide equipment that includes head-up display with digital speedo on every model, the rollout of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and new trims and cosmetic updates.

Our pricing story dives a little deeper, but in essence, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 aims to address some of the minor niggles that affected its predecessors.

There are no major drivetrain changes, the CX-9 continuing with a tried-and-tested 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder. The diminutive petrol offering belies its capacity with clever 170kW/420Nm outputs, using a six-speed automatic transmission to shuffle drive to either the front wheels, or all four wheels.

The absence of a diesel engine in the CX-9 is now partly curtailed with the introduction of the diesel-only Mazda CX-8 in Australia earlier this year.

What Mazda has done is added a final layer of polish to the CX-9’s ride and handling balance. On Tasmania’s sparkling eastern coastline, the results are unequivocal.

It wasn’t as though the outgoing CX-9 required a mammoth overhaul in the first place. The same car essentially took out the 2016 Carsales Car of the Year award, and regularly finishes at the pointy end of our in-house multi-car comparison tests.

But Mazda waved its magic wand anyway. As such, the changes concentrate on improving the CX-9’s deficiencies, and adding a further layer of polish to its strengths.

Engineers revisited the car’s suspension, recalibrating spring rebound and installing urethane top mounts on the rear dampers. The steering received small tweaks, too; namely, a revisited attachment point between the outer ball joint and steering knuckle.

In addition, the car’s noise and vibration levels have been improved, according to Mazda. The current CX-9 was already quite strong in this regard.

Inside, there are subtle trim updates including installation of a plusher console armrest.

More notably, the Mazda CX-9’s safety suite has been expanded across the range to now include Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go Function and autonomous emergency braking (between 4km/h and 80km/h).

In addition, every CX-9 now features a head-up display, which includes a digital speedometer – important in today’s speed camera-mad age.

From an ownership perspective, the MY19 Mazda CX-9 now boasts an improved five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while servicing intervals are spaced every 12 months and 10,000kms – amounting to $1039 in the first three years, according to Mazda.

Many of the Mazda’s rivals now come with 15,000km service intervals.

As before, there is a real sense of occasion around the CX-9’s cabin that allows it to be compared with more expensive European contemporaries.

Cabin materials are top-notch, the various shutlines are even and consistent the entire way through the car, and there is genuine thought into the way the cabin elements have been integrated.

Those features are only enhanced in the top-spec Azami LE, which goes some way in justifying its $66,490 price tag thanks to real timber inlays, unique overhead console design, ‘Chroma Brown’ nappa leather on the seats and added ambient lighting.

The Mazda’s biggest bugbear remains its MZD Connect infotainment system, which comprises a 7.0-inch screen accessed via a centrally-mounted rotary dial. The system has improved exponentially with the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but still has inherent problems around difficulties navigating menus. In short, it’s not as streamlined as it could be.

In addition, the CX-9’s reversing camera lacks the clarity of rival products.

Elsewhere, space is ample across the first, second and third rows, though not quite as proportionally pleasing as larger, decidedly American rivals including the Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder.

Storage is also well resolved, with ample cubbies, hidey holes, door pockets and bottle holders across the three rows. A flip-down armrest in the second row houses two USB points for rear-seat passengers, complementing two further outlets up front and a host of traditional 12-volt ports.

Higher spec models are fitted with integrated sunshades perfect for ferrying round little ones and, impressively, all five rear seats are fitted with ISOFIX attachment points for child seats.

The CX-9’s boot extends from 230 litres with the third row in place to 810 litres with the same seats folded flat. The boot is adequate for family duties, accessed via a large rear aperture or a split-folding second row, but it would ultimately benefit from a rear cargo blind to stow goodies out from sight.

As before, driving dynamics are core to the appeal of this family-size seven-seat crossover wagon.

The Mazda CX-9 has an uncanny ability to shrink-wrap its driver despite a length exceeding five metres and a kerb weight of about 1850kg.

The car’s steering and body control possess a real organic feel that only adds to the cultivation between driver and road. It feels unflustered in headier driving, shaking off mid-corner bumps and providing ideal levels of steering wheel feedback to the driver, to know exactly how the seven-seater is tracking.

Equally, the CX-9 cossets its passengers with supple damping from a suspension set-up that resides on the sportier side of the ledger. Unlike its key rivals, even front-drive versions have to be punted hard in corners before any unwanted torque steer or steering deflected is exposed.

The 2019 revisions endow the CX-9 with even more proficiency on challenging Australian roads. It feels up to the task of tight descents and long, sweeping corners alike, with predictable body control and surefootedness.

This inherent balance is supported by an extremely adept electronic safety suite that chimes in with benign but measured interventions — irrespective of whether you’re in a front-driven car or an all-wheel drive car.

At the same time, the seven-seater suppresses exterior road and wind noise superbly. A real bugbear of Mazdas in the past, the CX-9 climbs to segment-leading levels of noise, vibration and harshness suppression, thanks to the latest revisit with sound insulation and damping.

The MY19 Mazda CX-9’s engine is refined and offers a good mix of performance and efficiency. Its small displacement means you will almost always exceed the claimed fuel consumption figure (we averaged 10.5L/100km in a mix of conditions), but it is an engaging and fitting drivetrain nonetheless.

In the end, the latest CX-9’s improved safety, refinement and technology — in addition to its seven-seat amenity — will strike a chord with most buyers, but its polished driving ability is what truly sets it apart.

How much does the 2019 Mazda CX-9 Azami LE cost?
Price: $66,490 (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