Mazda CX-9 2021 Review

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 range starts at $45,990 plus on-road costs for the front-drive Sport model grade, but the vehicle on test here is the range-topping CX-9 Azami LE priced much further up the scale at $73,875 plus ORCs.

It will cost close to $80,000 to get the LE on the road, making it a very pricey proposition.

But after driving it, crawling through it, and being driven in it – chauffeur-style – I reckon it’s not only worth the extra $3000 over the regular Azami model grade, but good value overall.

For the extra outlay over the CX-9 Azami (priced from $70,625 plus ORCs), you get fewer seats with the LE – six, not seven – but the new twin captain’s chairs across the second row are considerably more comfortable and luxurious.

As well as featuring four-way power adjustment, the new seats are heated and cooled, plus there’s twin USB ports tucked underneath a leather-covered central arm rest, a pair of large cup holders and even a hidden drawer at ankle level.

Like the front pews, the plush second row seats come with soft cushioning upholstered in very high quality soft nappa leather, which is quilted in parts to add a little visual and tactile drama. New aluminium trim is also added.

Lump in fully-adjustable digital climate controls for the second row, air vents and retractable window blinds and it begins to feel like a business class flight. Leather colours are limited to walnut brown and pure white.

Overall comfort levels in the first and second rows exceed expectations, although a little more legroom would be appreciated in the second row.

There’s a top quality feel here, but don’t call it luxury, as Mazda Australia’s managing director Vinesh Bhindi was quick to clarify.

“Mazda is pursuing customers into the premium territory – not luxury, premium,” he said. “And we believe as the brand grows, as the portfolio grows, as the next-generation arrives, there will potentially be off-brand things that will be above the current range.”

The Mazda CX-9 Azami LE is clearly showing the way the brand is heading.

Standard features include a 294W Bose sound system, which offers impressively crisp audio thanks to 12 speakers, including a sub-woofer for extra bass. There’s a wireless phone charger in there (that doesn’t like chunky phone cases), wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, a head-up display, 7.0-inch LCD multi-information central instrument panel and USB ports and cup holders across all three seat rows.

The big captain’s chairs feature a one-touch ‘walk-in’ function to allow easy access to the third row, however the back seat occupants don’t get air vents.

Boot space is generous at 810 litres, there’s a space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor and two shopping bag hooks. The rear tailgate is power operated and there’s also a foot swipe/gesture control to activate it.

The only exterior changes brought with the 2021 Mazda CX-9 Azami LE are new 20-inch alloy wheels, larger exhaust outlets and a new Titanium Grey metallic paint option.

You can read all about the latest changes to the broader CX-9 range in our pricing and specs story, which includes the GT SP with black wheels and other visual upgrades.

The major tech upgrade for the 2021 Mazda CX-9 is a new and relatively large 10.2-inch infotainment screen.

It certainly looks sharper and is faster to respond and boot up now, but if you’re a proponent of touch-screens, you’ll be sorely disappointed, as input is only through the central rotator dial.

This is not a tragedy as the system works well and intuitive menu layout keeps things flowing, but it would be nice to the have the choice.

Automatic and adaptive LED headlights with high beam control means you’ll almost never need to toggle the light switch from ‘auto’ again. Parking is also made simpler via 360-degree cameras with multiple angles, plus front and rear parking sensors.

A traffic sign recognition system updates you in real time as to the current speed limit, and satellite navigation and digital radio are among the many nice-to-haves (rather than must-haves) loaded into the Azami LE.

Safety features include blind spot monitoring, driver attention alert and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in forward and reverse gears, with day/night and car/pedestrian detection (but not cyclists).

The lane departure warning and lane keep assist system are middle of the road – not the best, but not the worst I’ve tested – while the adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function works well.

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 also continues to carry a five-star ANCAP safety rating, recorded in 2016.

While the 2021 Mazda CX-9 offers only one engine, a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder unit, it suits the vehicle well and doesn’t lack for much.

Peak power of 170kW isn’t huge and torque of 420Nm doesn’t sound like much when you’re lugging around 2010kg – and significantly more with passengers and their belongings.

But the torque is very accessible, arriving at just 2000rpm which is more like a diesel, and it ensures excellent driveability.

The CX-9’s conventional torque-converter six-speed automatic transmission can be toggled with paddle shifters on the steering wheel and does a pretty good job. It is eclipsed by some of its newer rivals, like the Kia Sorento, which uses an eight-speed dual-clutch set-up, but is diligent and responsive for the most part.

Fuel economy on the combined cycle (city/country) is rated at 9.0L/100km for this all-wheel drive model. There’s also an off-road traction assist function designed for gravel road driving.

Mazda is expected to install its potent new inline six-cylinder petrol engine into the next-generation Mazda CX-9, which would give a model like the Azami LE another point of difference.

The second-generation Mazda CX-9 has been in circulation since 2016 and still stands as a well-tuned family cruiser, blending comfort and control to impressive effect.

Even on the big 20-inch alloys, the (non-adaptive) suspension rides over rough country roads with ease, and deals with messy urban surfaces well.

There’s plenty of compliance in the suspension tune to ensure passengers aren’t bounced around too much (good when there’s sleeping kids).

Tested in isolation, the CX-9 is hard to fault in terms of ride comfort, however as our recent comparison with the Kia Sorento proved, the Mazda is no longer class-leading in this department.

Nevertheless, ride quality is still pretty good and it won’t fall to pieces when pushed into faster, flowing corners either.

Family buyers may not have dynamic performance at the top of their list of priorities, but there’s a level of driver engagement here that few other SUVs in the class can match.

Despite the high asking price, there’s a lot of value and appeal in the six-seat 2021 Mazda CX-9 Azami LE.

It’s almost in a class of its own and the attention to detail in the cabin, the high quality materials and overall comfort levels are surprisingly good.

A five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is attached to the Mazda CX-9, and it’s offered in eight colours/shades – most of which are grey or silver. But there’s also white, black and red, too.

It would have been nice to see more exterior differentiation for this deluxe cruiser – an ivory white grille perhaps? – but as it stands the Mazda CX-9 Azami LE is an intriguing and impressive addition to the large SUV segment.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 Azami LE cost?
Price: $73,875 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 170kW/420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 206g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2016)

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