2023 Mazda CX-9: Test Drive Review

[@lyklm]

As a senior user experience designer and CX-9 owner. I can’t agree with you on the information system part. Based on our research, touch screen is not safety compared with the button. Especially when you use touchscreen at the night time driving scenario. Plus, use touchscreen always has chance click wrong area depends on your finger and car speed.

[@MOTILAC]

I am a Programmer and deal with GUI's daily as part of my job, although not in automobiles. Regardless, I could not disagree with you more. This interface is NOT safer compared to the larger touch interfaces on the market that are placed within reach. This cabin is set up all wrong now, with the touchscreen small and out of reach. There is a good reason why all manufacturers have stayed away/moved away from this type of system! This Mazda system is awful.

[@navydad1475]

And no greasy fingerprints

[@ukvoo9696]

As a CX9 owner, almost all of this is false. The CX9 is one of the cheapest in the segment, you can find loaded ones for 46k which is impossible for any other car in the segment. The infotainment isn’t bad, I’ve gotten used to it and I prefer it over the touch screen in other brands. The one thing I will agree with is the efficiency, it gets awful MPG for what it is, but it’s definitely peppy and feels great on road. I think it’s one of the best looking in its segment, and it’s aged great. My biggest complaint on new CX9s is that they got rid of the auburn leather, the deep chestnut is not my favorite. Overall, I think the car you got must’ve been beat by other testers, our CX9 has no rattles or anything. I’d recommend this car before anything to people looking at this segment.

[@TestDrivenTV]

The price of ours according to the window sticker was $50,330. Yes you can get used to a lot of shortcomings. Even a beaten wife can get used to her abusive husband. But if one knows all of that up front and can make an informed selections, one might make other choices. ;)

[@oralondosolomon1501]

@@TestDrivenTV Nice review, but that is a awful analogy.

[@twystedhumour]

Very accurate review, sir. I only got the GT trim, and only bec. it had sufficient bells and whistles, fun driving dynamics (on road to Yosemite, eastern approach), and very good gas mileage if you're leisurely at the throttle. BTW, it has 8.8 inches ground clearance, and don't forget that it DOES NOT have auto start-stop.

[@carll693]

If you compare the new MDX or QX60, the CX9 does the same at a less expensive price. Shame on the others for not stepping up on an 8 year old design. Shows how Mazda is ahead of their time. The new CX90 will make all the comp cry! Mazda = BMW for the Japanese!

[@abudhabi1956]

I just went from my 2nd 3 to the 23 CX9 Grand Touring, it's a 2 year lease, then I'll roll into the CX90 after the kinks get worked out, but I have to say I like the infotainment just for the simple fact that I have mastered to cursor after having so many, not a fan of the touch screen, I don't like fingerprints, other then that it's classy, simple and comfortable.....I love me some Mazda!!!

[@terence4427]

I really appreciate this honest review. I purchased a CX-9 a few years ago because everything that I read said "it was fun to drive". Well, I didn't think it was any better than average.

[@limulus61]

I’m looking at SUVs in this category now. The one thing that I absolutely hate about the Acura RTX is the touch pad for controlling the screen. If you think the Mazda is bad, don’t even go near an Acura.

[@TalismanPHX]

Good review. Love the cx9 styling, but waiting for the all new CX-90

[@toronado455]

Yes.

[@andrewh9054]

likewise!

[@Kwaminho]

Same here!

[@K03sport]

I'd rather Mazda bring the mazda6 wagon. The 6wagon would eliminate the need for the cx-30 imo. And I'd prefer the 6wagon to both the CX-5 (which I have) and the cx-50 (which looks like a puffed up 6 wagon).

[@allenparks8706]

Don't forget the Signature grille comes with an LED lighting accent..

[@johnrichards3666]

I've had my CX 9 for years and I've watched about every CX 9 review out there. Yours is the only bad review I've seen.

[@Salazar824]

Amazing video thank you sir. We got 2 Mazdas at home. Cx30 and Cx9 love em, but you are right there are features that need improvements. Don't really care much for the infotainment system, but the transmission def needs upgrading. Specially when it comes to fuel efficiency looking forward to the cx90. And there is no need to go all the way up to 50k the carbon edition trim is in the mid 40s and is worth every penny.

[@K03sport]

Sam, I'd really like to see Mazda move to a 7-spd transmission. 6 speeds is cool and all and all the bugs are worked out, but having a 7th cog would let Mazda increase acceleration and have a higher ratio for more mpg. The CX-9 might be long in the tooth, but still worth a look.

[@farcinue]

In your opinion, would the CX9 be a good used car pick in the class?

[@TestDrivenTV]

If you like it.

[@faautobahna9416]

Thanks

[@natehowe7975]

I test drove this and was disappointed by the engine power. Turns out they promote premium fuel for extra power while offering the ability to run lower rated fuel to save money. I assume the dealer set me up with regular fuel before my test drive. I still wonder if I would like it more had it produced more power with a fuel change.

[@twystedhumour]

91 octane wouldn't make a difference for you. The engine is ideal for those who have leisurely driving style and gradual acceleration.

[@1111111111202]

If you got more power you'll complain it's a gas guzzler. This engine is for saving gas not for being powerful. Which is for the markets socio economic status looking at this vehicle.

[@hans6304]

Does the AC do a good job in the summer for the third row passengers?

[@twystedhumour]

AC is average for 3rd row passengers. I'd look elsewhere.

[@toronado455]

Nothing wrong with the 6 speed transmission. I'd much rather have that than a 8, 9, or 10 speed. The reason they add all those speeds is just for emissions/CAFE/MPG. It does nothing to improve performance and it actually detracts from the driving experience.

[@denisilyayev1878]

you trippin. it absolutely affects performance. 6 speeds are certainly more reliable and less complex but slower at keeping revs at that sweet spot. Mazdas 6 speed is great though.

[@toronado455]

@@denisilyayev1878 I'd rather have a CVT than a ten speed.

[@denisilyayev1878]

@@toronado455 anybody who says they would rather have a CVT is disqualified from talking about cars ever again.

[@toronado455]

@@denisilyayev1878 Do you really like an automatic transmission that keep shifting constantly and hunting around for gears? I find it annoying when the transmission has shifted 5 times already and I'm only going 25 MPH. And the other problem is these modern automatics don't shift smoothly. I greatly prefer the smoothness of CVT operation. Though an old school 3 or 4-speed auto would be good as well.

[@Kwaminho]

@@toronado455 I beg your pardon? 🤔

[@alfig001]

Poor review.. I have a CX-9 with none of the issues you brought up. Happy with my decision and will update to the CX-90 whenever I can.

[@fredf.3769]

We own a 2019 cx9 and think it is a very comfortable vehicle without the rattle noise you talk about. However, I don't like the info system, but we really don't use it. This isn't a good vehicle for larger people.

[@Tinrs80]

I may be wrong but i think that 6 speed goes back to the days of the Mazda/Ford duo. Years ago I had a 2013 Fusion, it had a transmission Seal leak and the part was compatible with a mazda transmission*( Same 6 speed transmission parts) . Might be wrong tho. maybe this is a different one.

[@TestDrivenTV]

According to data available to us, the CX-9 uses a Mazda in-house designed and built transmission: FW6AX-EL

[@Tinrs80]

@@TestDrivenTV Alright thanx man.

[@hariranormal5584]

Ahaha we have an 2011 CX9, i mean fairly good vehicle :P but eh, we are not doing as well as we used to so looking at rather used cars now. gonna get rid of this as things are starting to fall apart, just the small things like window lifters failing, the buttons are falling apart from the inside, seat toren, etc. Spoiler is broken too (which is weirdly common in many CX9's from the era, we notice a lot of them with the missing spoiler.)

[@marcusjamesOG]

The competitors are heavier and accelerate about the same. They are not efficient either even with the 8 and 9 speed transmission as they all have similar gas mileage… if you actually look at the acceleration times and published mpg figures you would known that.

[@Tinrs80]

My best friend had a Mazda 6 with this infotainment and he HATED it so much! And he is a cyber nerd. He said it was soooo awful and was glad when he traded to a Kia.

[@WaheedKhan-mm3pw]

look at alfa romeo, their infotainment system should get 1 star.

[@andrevukovic3568]

Best looking SUV on the market. Too bad Mazda is replacing this beauty with ugly overpriced cx90

[@marcelfotomoto]

6 gears is enough.

[@yournightmare9999]

Mazda make infotainment system for people who have highest IQ they knows how important is to drive and be focus on road. But for low IQ people other brands make infotainment system with touch screen and panoramic sunroof to die faster in kind of car

[@TestDrivenTV]

The problem with this system is that compared to most others from other automakers it requires more focus on it and eyes off the road for the simplest of things. It's the least safe, the least intelligent. Volvo and Subaru are considered the safest brands on the market and have nothing like this, rather large touch screens simple and easy to quickly manage common tasks.

[@Josh-179]

@@TestDrivenTV , people can disagree on this but Mazda did a lot of studying on eye movement and distraction and are firm in their belief that this is safer than touch screens. The fact of the matter is that once you own one and all your presets are set, the controls are very simple. All you really need to do while driving is jump through your preset stations. Simply hit the * button and click station. You shouldn't be going through other info while driving. I like never having to lift my arm off the armrest, even to adjust volume. Mazda is actually doing it the more expensive way. All touch screen is the cheapest way to do it. They may someday cave to pressure to do what everyone else does but it doesn't look like it's anytime soon.

[@TestDrivenTV]

Maybe they should spend more resources studying what customers want instead of being focused on some notion of what they think they should want. They might sell more cars and have a chance at long term survival.

[@yournightmare9999]

@@TestDrivenTV Mazda is itself, there is nothing above or below it, and in terms of longevity, it currently outperforms Toyota and Lexus

[@TestDrivenTV]

Like we said in the video, put down the pipe.

[@dioralcide8490]

The infotainment system should have got -0 star rating

[@Josh-179]

A lot of people prefer this over touch screens.

[@johnnyboy7538]

I love the dial but the infotainment system itself has stayed the same with little to no upgrade. The interface itself.

[@sgrant9814]

I have a mazda with this system and while it took a bit to get used to it, i prefer it by far to a touch screen esp when driving snd esp on bumpy roads. Your eyes stay on the road when using mazda's system, unlike a touch screen so it is much safer. Imo, touch screens should be inoperable when in motion

[@dioralcide8490]

Mazda is the laziest car manufacturer in the world, no innovation, they're trying so hard to be BMW and AUDI in a bad way they can't even copy them right such a shame. Having said that the KODO design is gorgeous but interior and infotainment system are a total disaster

[@danvettorazzi8963]

just remember that Mazda is a smaller car company and their main focus is handling and feel. In today's world where everyone focuses on "infotainment" and safety nannies, you'd be hard pressed to find an SUV that handles and drives more spirited than a Mazda product. For what it is the infotainment does what it suppose to do, and you get use to it when muscle memory takes over...I personally do not judge an entire vehicle for it's infotainment or how many things it can do, rather the whole car, the quality, the feel and if it makes me smile when I carve out that curve.

[@jvelez5381]

You're not trying to compete with BMW and Audi which are s***** companies their designs a crap.

[@dioralcide8490]

@@danvettorazzi8963 i understand what you said and I agree with you so my question is why they claimed they going premium than , why they charged customers so much money? Im guessing handling cost alot hahahahhaha

[@twystedhumour]

@@dioralcide8490 look up "economies of scale."

[@faautobahna9416]

Thanks