Mazda CX-9: FAQs

The Mazda CX-9 is the flagship of the Mazda line-up in Australia. The seven-seat SUV first launched here in 2007, was significantly updated in 2013 and evolved into its second generation in 2016.

The winner of the 2016 carsales Car of the Year award, the second-generation Mazda CX-9 these days comes as both front- and all-wheel drive in all four model grades.

Note the distinction between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. While 4WD is usually associated with serious off-roaders like the Toyota LandCruiser and is only fitted to the Mazda BT-50 ute in the Mazda line-up, the Mazda CX-9 comes with a light-duty AWD system.

Dubbed i-ACTIV AWD by Mazda, this system operates pretty much as a front-wheel drive in normal conditions but can share torque with the rear wheels via an electronic coupling if slip is detected.

The system has been tested out by carsales in the snow and it works well, as seen here.

In 2020, the Mazda CX-9 added Off-Road Traction Assist, which is fundamentally an electronic rear diff lock to aid off-road progress.

But the Mazda CX-9 is not equipped with low-range gearing or a particularly generous ground clearance. Think of it more as a vehicle for gravel roads and ventures to the snow than serious off-roading.

Since its launch in 2016, when it won carsales Car of the Year, the second-generation Mazda CX-9 has been exclusively powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the SKYACTIV family.

This engine makes 170kW and 420Nm and drives either the front wheels or all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and i-ACTIV all-wheel drive.

The combined fuel consumption claim for the CX-9 is 9.0L/100km, reflecting this is a large vehicle hauling a significant kerb weight. Mazda makes the same claim for both front- and all-wheel drive CX-9s.

In carsales testing, fuel consumption has at times been considerably higher than this official figure and been identified as a weakness of the CX-9.

The Mazda CX-9 is the flagship of the Mazda range in Australia. The second-generation seven-seat large SUV has been on sale in Australia since 2016 when it won carsales Car of the Year.

The cost of maintaining a Mazda CX-9 depends to a certain extent how much you drive. That’s because it has service intervals of 10,000km or one year – whichever comes first.

While annual servicing is becoming the industry standard, the kilometre figure is short compared to many rivals as carsales pointed out here.

So, drive only 10,000km per year and you’re on par with other brands, but drive more than that and you will be going back to the dealer more often and therefore spending more money.

Our good friends at RedBook.com.au have calculated that Mazda’s shorter intervals can cost high-mileage users a significant amount.

The Ford Motor Company owned a stake in Mazda from 1974 to 2015. It was at its peak from 1979 to 2008 when Ford owned 33.4 per cent of the Japanese car company.

From that point onwards Ford steadily divested its share of Mazda.

Toyota is now the primary automotive investor in Mazda with a five per cent stake. The two companies have a technology sharing arrangement and co-own an assembly plant in the USA.

Australia was a beneficiary of the Mazda-Ford alliance with the Ford Laser and Mazda 323 developed together, as was the Ford Telstar and Mazda 626, and the Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger.