Mazda CX-9 upgraded for 2021

An upgraded 2021 Mazda CX-9 has been announced, bringing three new variants, infotainment upgrades and minor price hikes.

Available from early next year, the MY21 Mazda CX-9 range will open at $45,990 plus on-road costs ($70 more than before) for the front-wheel drive Sport variant.

There are price increases across the seven-seat SUV line-up (as high as $1686) for the Azami AWD that previously topped the range and now costs $70,625 plus ORCs.

Now eclipsing it is the new and fully loaded 100th Anniversary Special Edition ($72,575) and Azami LE AWD with captain’s seats ($73,875), while the new black-look GT SP variant brings to seven the number of CX-9 equipment grades.

All but the 100th Anniversary special and Azami LE are available in both 2WD and AWD configuration, bringing the total number of CX-9 variants to 12.

The MY21 Mazda CX-9 follows the release of the MY20 version in January 2020, which brought a $500 price cut at base level and a $2543 price rise for the Azami AWD, and the axing of the Azami LE, which now returns.

This year’s MY20 update also brought a larger 9.0-inch infotainment touch-screen, hands-free tailgate function, G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus), Off-Road Traction Assist for AWD models, night-time pedestrian detection for the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, improved adaptive LED headlights, USB ports for the third row of seats, an auto-hold function to the electric parking brake, new 18- and 20-inch alloy wheels, new two-tone Nappa black and Walnut Brown or Pure White leather for the Azami and fresh badging and a new key fob design (both first introduced on 2019 Mazda3).

For MY21, all Mazda CX-9s bring a new level of connectivity thanks to the latest-generation Mazda Connect infotainment system with larger-still 10.25-inch colour screen. Mazda says the new multimedia system boots up more quickly, while a move to digital rather than analogue signalling sharpens both screen resolution and audio sound quality.

From GT variants and above, there’s a new Qi wireless smartphone charging pad in the centre console tray ahead of the gearshifter, while Touring variants and receive steering wheel paddle shifters for the first time.

In terms of exterior paint colours, Polymetal Grey joins Snowflake White Pearl Mica, Sonic Silver Metallic, Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Metallic, Titanium Flash Mica, Deep Crystal Blue Mica and Jet Black Mica.

Inside, black cloth upholstery remains standard for the base Sport, black leather is available for Touring and GT grades, Natural Stone and Beige leather is also available for the GT, Pure White and Walnut Brown nappa leathers can be had with the Azami and Azami LE, and Rich Burgundy leather is standard in the CX-9 GT SP (see below).

There are no changes to the CX-9’s 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission as standard across the range. Therefore combined fuel consumption remains 8.4L/100km for front-drive variants and 9.0L/100km for i-Activ AWD vehicles.

Likewise, the CX-9’s i-Activsense safety suite is also unchanged and continues to include as standard across the range: Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Smart Brake Support, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-keep Assist System, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Control, Smart City Brake Support (Forward/Reverse), Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert and six airbags.

The new flagship of Mazda’s flagship model features a second-row ‘Captain’s Seat’ layout that’s unique to Azami LE.

The two individual middle-row seats are separated by a centre console, offer heating and ventilation functions, and electric adjustment including a one-touch system that provides ‘walk-in’ to the third row. The second-row seat automatically returns to its position once the operation is completed.

Inside both the Azami and Azami LE grades is a new quilted nappa leather upholstery for the first and second row of seats, plus redesigned aluminium interior trims.

Outside, both models feature a new 20-inch alloy wheel design complementing a brighter Titanium Grey metallic grille finish and larger exhaust outlets.

Priced from $63,490 plus ORCs (just $500 more than the popular GT variant it’s based on), the new GT SP model is available in 2WD and AWD guise and brings a number of dark design highlights.

Outside, these include a dark gunmetal grille design, black mirror caps and black 20-inch alloys, while inside the SP is differentiated by Burgundy leather seat upholstery. black decoration panels and red stitching for the steering wheel, door trims, centre console and armrests.

Positioned under the new Azami LE AWD at $72,575 plus ORCs is the 100th Anniversary Special Edition, just 110 examples of which will be available in Australia.

Borrowing the distinctive burgundy and white colour theme of the original high-grade R360, Mazda’s first-ever passenger vehicle, it’s finished in Snowflake White Pearl Mica and its interior is lined with burgundy nappa leather, matched by similarly red floor carpet and floor mats.

The limited-edition’s front fender, key fob, wheel caps, head restraints and floor mats are adorned with new badging that combines the current Mazda brand logo with the round moniker when Toyo Kogyo was first formed in Hiroshima on January 30, 1920.

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 cost?
Sport – $45,990
Sport AWD – $49,990
Touring – $53,490
Touring AWD – $57,490
GT – $62,990
GT AWD – $66,990
GT SP – $63,490
GT SP AWD – $67,490
Azami – $66,190
Azami AWD – $70,625
Azami LE AWD – $73,875
100th Anniversary Special Edition – $72,575

* All prices exclude on-road costs