Used 2015 Mazda CX-9 for sale 

The CX-9 can be availed in three different trims, viz. Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. The new Mazda CX-9 is a part of the first generation model which debuted in 2007. Fortunately, the 7-seater SUV received a mid-cycle update in 2013, during which Mazda refreshed the styling and leisure attributes of the SUV to a certain extent. 

There have also been some mild alterations to the tuning of its mighty 3.5L V6, but Mazda has followed this engine ever since its inception. Concerning this year, the CX-9 is to continue unchanged as the price starts from $29,985. Thus, the Mazda CX-9 remains one of the mildly priced 7-seaters in the market. 

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The Touring trim hits the sweet spot as it comes with the most desirable features and can be upgraded to include many of the Grand Touring's add-ons, should you want to spend the extra cash. Powertrain and transmission are the same for all the trims.

The CX-9 is by far the brand’s largest offering in the passenger car segment. Under the hood, it offers one of the most trusted powertrains, the 3.7L naturally aspirated V-6. This engine has been around with the CX-9 ever since its inception but come 2015, has been tuned to perform way better than its initial stages. Precisely, this enormous assembly puts up 273 peak Horsepower and a maximum of 270 lb.-ft. of torque. Yes, these are not the best figures for a 3.7L engine, but the performance has been confined to meet the cost requirements. 

Meanwhile, the mechanism that makes the CX-9 exciting to drive, the 6-Speed shiftable automatic is the only transmission option that can be availed. Although it is fun and intuitive to drive, there is nothing new about the entire powertrain as such. Everything now feels a little obsolete, starting from its 3.7L mammoth. We believe it is time for Mazda to introduce a turbocharged version of the CX-9.

“Well priced” is the tag for the Mazda CX-9 as it stands below the $30,000 mark. But, does it prove its mettle? Well, that’s debatable since it gets beaten up by the Dodge Durango as well as the Hyundai Santa Fe in terms of power output despite a smaller engine. Meanwhile, the Honda Pilot sits lower down with a 250 HP output. 

Despite the fact, the Pilot has had the highest sales lately thanks to many factors including refinement and capaciousness. Acceleration is quickest in the Santa Fe, as it sheds off some weight due to the absence of the 3rd row, followed by, you’re right, the Dodge Durango. The CX-9 catches up with the Durango by the quarter-mile, as it weighs a bit less. 

Mazda’s 3.7L may not be considered as refined as the ones that sit beneath the rest of its vehicles. The EPA-estimated fuel economy for the CX-9 is on par with that of other large crossovers at 19 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway) for front-wheel-drive models and 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway) for AWD models. However, our test vehicle had a different story to tell. 

We drove the AWD version of this SUV, and the results we obtained slightly deviated from what the EPA claimed. As we drove around LA and out on the state highways, we received a combined output of 21 miles to a gallon. This may not be considered as a significant deterioration as the figures are still at par. Meanwhile, the fuel tank shares some concern, as the capacity is below expectations. 

On a comparative note, the CX-9 SUV is obviously not the smoothest of rides in terms of fuel consumption. However, the competitors do not pose a large difference in their functional figures as well. For instance, the Dodge Durango and the Hyundai Santa Fe both can produce up to 22 miles to a gallon, while the Honda Pilot shares the spotlight with the CX-9. 

At the same time, the Durango can travel almost 100 miles more with a full tank as compared to the host vehicle, thanks to the extra 4.5 liters of fuel storage. On the other hand, the Santa Fe manages to fit a minimalistic 18.8 liters of the fuel tank.

It is true that the CX-9’s design is due for a complete overhaul since 2007, but there have been some minor alterations every-now-and-then that have improved the overall experience. The cabin especially has received a few updates on materialism and ergonomics, while the aesthetics continue to be stale. Nevertheless, the 2015 Mazda CX-9's dashboard features a graceful waterfall design that flows into the door panels with uncommon flair. 

Material quality is unremarkable -- there's nary a soft-touch panel to be found on the dash, for example -- but it's all screwed together pretty well. One nice premium touch is the center console bin, which has a nifty split lid that pops open like a set of clamshell doors. Otherwise, the CX-9's cabin could use a few more storage areas here and there.

The good news is that the CX-9 has plenty of space. In the first two seating rows, there's ample room even for taller passengers, but headroom is tighter for those seated in the third row. Happily, the second-row seat reclines and slides fore and aft to accommodate various passenger scenarios. Access to the third row is a cinch relative to some other crossover SUVs, but the large rear door openings that make this possible can be cumbersome in tight parking spaces.

The Pilot remains the largest vehicle in the lot as can be observed by the 8-seating capacity of the SUV. Its enormous width and length are nothing but a delight for carrying a large family comfortably. Speaking of comfort, the CX-9 has the best cabin followed by the Honda in terms of space and functionality. 

There is plenty of room for every passenger, and since Mazda has not tried to stretch its boundaries, it can accommodate 7 people very easily. On the other hand, despite its vigor, the Dodge Durango feels puny compared to these two life-sized SUVs. The Santa Fe scores in terms of practicality, but at the expense of a rear row, while the CX-9 is quite at the top with three rows in place. 

• Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Front, Rear, And 3rd Row Cup Holders
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry
• Three Zone Climate Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Interior Air Filtration
• Keyless Ignition
• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)

2015 Mazda CX-9 Infotainment System

Mazda’s vehicles are never short of smart infotainment. Getting a large vehicle sure calls for the need to keep more occupants interested in the journey. Although the ride is quite intuitive in itself, it is no excuse for stealing the infotainment, and Mazda understands that perfectly. So, to begin with, the Mazda CX-9 houses a 5.8-inch touchscreen as standard across all the trims. 

Although it is good to be offered in all the trims, the 5.8 inches of tech looks a bit out of place on the substantial dashboard of the CX-9. Besides, many modern-day competitors, including the Pilot, adorn a much larger infotainment system. This might turn out to be another thing Mazda should work upon. 

• 5.8” Touchscreen
• 6-Speaker Standard Audio System
• USB Connection
• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control

The new Mazda CX-9 hasn't been redesigned since its 2007 model year introduction. For 2013 though, the CX-9 received a modest set of styling updates, with a new snout that closely matches the front-end look of the new CX-5 compact crossover and the latest versions of the Mazda 6 sedan and Mazda 3 compacts. 

Mazda calls the latest design language Kodo 'Soul of Motion,' and it has been nicely grafted onto the large crossover, especially considering that only the front and rear ends were touched. Like other Mazdas past and present, however, the CX-9 puts emphasis on pleasing the driver as well as the passengers. So, less can be criticized about the dated looks of this SUV, as its ride and handling steal the show every time. 

Dimensionally, the CX-9 is the longest, even more than the Honda Pilot. However, it hardly makes it the heaviest as that spot is taken by the muscular Dodge Durango. At 6500 lbs., the Durango is almost 700 lbs. heavier than the CX-9. The Durango gets the longest wheelbase too but is rarely converted into a capacious cabin. Meanwhile, all vehicles except the Hyundai Santa Fe stand tall 8” above the ground. 

Although Mazda has addressed safety very smartly, the state-of-the-art features remain an attribute specific to trims. The standard safety equipment is more towards the passive side including airbags, seatbelts, LATCH systems, etc. but, there is also some emphasis on active safety like ABS, EBD, traction control, brake assist in the base model. 

The Touring model gets that optional package as standard and adds automatic headlights, a blind-spot monitoring system, rear parking sensors, a rear cross-traffic alert system, a rearview camera. These are followed as is in the top trim.

• 4-Wheel ABS
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Stability Control
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
• Auto Delay Off Headlamps
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• Blind Spot Warning Accident Avoidance System
• Front, Rear, And Third Row Head Airbags

The 2015 Mazda CX-9 is an outlier compared to Mazda's newest products. It ranks as one of the better three-row crossover options and satisfies with its nimble dynamics, even if fuel economy isn't top-notch. All the success and woos can be attributed to the remarkable handling, compliant ride, and substantial use of premium features. 

The SUV is also up to the mark in terms of practicality and comfort. All these factors aside, even the fiscal characteristic of this SUV is very convincing. Thus, we feel that the CX-9 is a value for money product and a much reliable way to get to.