Review Mazda CX-9 Automatic 2008
Review
1 useful vote
Submitted by hottentot
Key strengths: Handling (compared to competition), sporty driving position (ditto), upscale interior
Areas for improvement: No substitute for a good sport wagon, not personally a fan of the exterior styling
Last year, motivation for the Mazda CX-9 was provided by a 3.5-liter DOHC V6, good for 263 horsepower at a reasonably accessible 6,250 rpm, couple to a six-speed automatic. It moved the CX-9's 4,300 pounds well enough, especially once over 30 miles-per-hour, but didn't excite. For 2008, the 3.5 has been replaced by a 3.7-liter V6. Peak horsepower only increases by ten, to 273. But midrange power increases more substantially, as seen in a bump in peak torque from 249 pounds-feet at 4,500 to 270 at a more accessible 4,250. The result is most noticeable when first starting out from a dead stop, where the CX-9 feels more energetic than before. At higher speeds the difference is minor.
Even with front-wheel-drive there is little evidence of torque steer. Still, if you want to put the power down in turns you'll want the all-wheel-drive.
The Mazda CX-9 is more firmly sprung than most competitors. Especially with the Grand Touring's lower profile 20-inch tires, its ride is busier and includes sharper reactions than that of most competitors. It's still far from punishing, though, and some competitors (such as the Hyundai Veracruz) ride less smoothly. Noise levels from all sources are low, so the CX-9 should serve well as a highway car.
Since ride quality is iffy, the handling must be spectacular, right? Well, not exactly. The Grand Touring doesn't feel significantly sportier than the other trims despite its low-profile treads, if my memory of the latter is accurate. The difference might be more noticeable in back-to-back test drives. But even with the 20s, I feel like I'm driving an exceptionally well-behaved minivan, with a moderate amount of lean in turns and good composure when said turns included a frost heave or two. It handles well, almost surprisingly well, when pushed, but doesn't ask to be driven this way. I suppose it is a family hauler, after all.
Problem is, good behavior is not the same as fun to drive. "This is fun" never enters my mind, as much The running costs for Mazda CX-9 Automatic are normal
Areas for improvement: No substitute for a good sport wagon, not personally a fan of the exterior styling
Last year, motivation for the Mazda CX-9 was provided by a 3.5-liter DOHC V6, good for 263 horsepower at a reasonably accessible 6,250 rpm, couple to a six-speed automatic. It moved the CX-9's 4,300 pounds well enough, especially once over 30 miles-per-hour, but didn't excite. For 2008, the 3.5 has been replaced by a 3.7-liter V6. Peak horsepower only increases by ten, to 273. But midrange power increases more substantially, as seen in a bump in peak torque from 249 pounds-feet at 4,500 to 270 at a more accessible 4,250. The result is most noticeable when first starting out from a dead stop, where the CX-9 feels more energetic than before. At higher speeds the difference is minor.
Even with front-wheel-drive there is little evidence of torque steer. Still, if you want to put the power down in turns you'll want the all-wheel-drive.
The Mazda CX-9 is more firmly sprung than most competitors. Especially with the Grand Touring's lower profile 20-inch tires, its ride is busier and includes sharper reactions than that of most competitors. It's still far from punishing, though, and some competitors (such as the Hyundai Veracruz) ride less smoothly. Noise levels from all sources are low, so the CX-9 should serve well as a highway car.
Since ride quality is iffy, the handling must be spectacular, right? Well, not exactly. The Grand Touring doesn't feel significantly sportier than the other trims despite its low-profile treads, if my memory of the latter is accurate. The difference might be more noticeable in back-to-back test drives. But even with the 20s, I feel like I'm driving an exceptionally well-behaved minivan, with a moderate amount of lean in turns and good composure when said turns included a frost heave or two. It handles well, almost surprisingly well, when pushed, but doesn't ask to be driven this way. I suppose it is a family hauler, after all.
Problem is, good behavior is not the same as fun to drive. "This is fun" never enters my mind, as much The running costs for Mazda CX-9 Automatic are normal
Safety: 90
Equipment: 81
Reliability: 84
Driving: 88
Comfort: 87
Design: 79
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This is a subjective opinion from a ebuga.co.uk user and not from ebuga.co.uk.
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