Used 2017 Mazda CX-9 for sale 

The SUV is available in a total of 4 trims namely the Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. All the trims feature a turbocharged 4 pot engine paired with a 6-speed auto gearbox. The base Sport trim can be bought for an MSRP of $31,520. A standard set of features include LED headlights and 3 zone climate control amongst other things. Then there is the mid-table touring trim with an MSRP of $35,970.Moving further, there are the Grand Touring trims for an MSRP of $40,470 with features like an adaptive front lighting system and surround sound system with 12 speakers. Then, there is the range-topping Signature trim with an MSRP of $44,315. Features like leather upholstery, wood accents, and led shifter lighting come as standard.

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The 2016 Mazda CX-9 Touring trim seems to be the best value for money. It is not too expensive over the base sport model but features a premium audio system and keyless entry and drive amongst other feel-good elements that justify its price tag. However, if you are looking for an inch-perfect vehicle that does not compromise on any aspect, the Signature trim has been tailor-made for you.

Also Read:

• Trim-wise features and specifications of the 2017 Mazda CX-9
• Check out some amazing deals on the 2017 Mazda CX-9 at CarIndigo

The Mazda CX-9 features a 2.4L 4 cylinder turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed auto transmission. The engine produces a healthy 227 hp and 310 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is nice and punchy even at lower rpm and peppy and fun to rev all the way to the redline

The Dodge Durango is the most powerful offering in the segment while the CX-9 is the least powerful one in the segment with an output of 227 horsepower. The Hyundai Santa Fe closely follows the Durango while the Honda Pilot takes the middle position. Surprisingly though, the CX-9 has the best torque output among the rivals that adds to its practicality further.

Acceleration

The Mazda CX-9 takes around 7.5 seconds from0 to 60 mph and goes all the way to a quarter of a mile in under 15.7 seconds. The acceleration starts as instant but the sense of urgency dies down around the redline. When compared to the competitors, it lacks the liveliness of its competitors. 

The Honda Pilot is actually the fastest accelerating car in the segment taking 6.1 seconds to complete the 0-60 mph run. The 2nd spot is taken up by the Hyundai Santa Fe at 6.7 seconds. The third spot is taken up by the Mazda CX-9 while the Dodge Durango settles for the last spot. In the quarter-mile run, it is a similar affair, however, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe does push through the mid-range to compete neck and neck with the 2017 Honda Pilot clocking 15.1 seconds each

Ride and Handling

Thanks to its neatly designed chassis it is actually pretty fun to drive for a vehicle of its size. The car is zippy enough at low speeds and firm enough at high speeds. The steering is always doing its job by giving positive feedback which allows you to accurately maneuver the car around even at high speeds. The Mazda CX-9 drives like a sedan, which allows the driver to stride forward in the city, without any hassles. 

The SUV remains planted and composed while tackling corners but you might feel its heft if the corners are long. Overall, the CX-9 will induce a lot of confidence while driving and won’t mind if you wish to have fun with it occasionally.

Braking

The SUV features a set of 12.6-inch brake rotors in the rear while the front rotor size is not available at the moment. Despite being one of the heavier vehicles in the segment, the 2017 Mazda CX-9 is only diminutively behind taking 126ft to come to a halt while decelerating. 

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 can return a modest fuel economy of 24 mpg combined. The vehicle is also a great highway cruiser where it can return a fuel economy of 28 mpg. It's the most fuel-efficient SUV amongst its rivals. It sports a considerably large fuel tank of 19.8-gallons and can cover a higher range than most of its competitors in the segment managing 518 miles on the highway.

In the segment, the Mazda CX-9 gains categorized ascendancy, when efficiency is concerned. All other competitors in the segment hover around the combined efficiency mark of 21-22 MPG. The 2017 Dodge Durango, however, has the largest fuel tank in the segment that has a total capacity of 24.6-gallons, and consequently, it covers the longest distance of 467 and 640 miles in the city and highway respectively. 

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 interior offers comfortable seating for up to 7 occupants. The front seats are one of the most spacious in the segment and offer optimum levels of thigh support. The 2nd row is comfortable too but it's the 3rd row where the things get a little cramped. The CX-9 justifies its price tag with a luxuriant cabin setup that reflects top-notch craftsmanship. Even from the base variant, the build quality is reflective of the premium aura that Mazda aims at providing. 

The entry and exit to the cabin are easy and even the passage to the third row is more accessible as compared to the rivals. However, we do find the absence of optional captain seats as a surprise. All in all, the seats are well-positioned and give a commanding view of the road ahead. In terms of ride quality, the absence of external noise inside the cabin makes you feel detached from the hustle and bustle of the city and a stable suspension system maintains the character of the drive even on rough terrains. 

In the segment, while the Mazda CX-9 has the highest amount of space, the Honda Pilot manages to seat eight passengers. The Dodge Durango has ample space for both rows of seats, however, the absence of third-row seats means that it can accommodate five travelers only. Some of the salient interior features of the 2017 Mazda CX-9 include:

• Cruise Control
• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel 
• Three-zone Climate Control
• Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel 
• Cloth/Leather Upholstery

Infotainment System

The infotainment suites on the Mazda are handled by an 8-inch color touchscreen. The screen is ergonomically placed but it does attract a lot of dust and smudges. The MMI is a breeze to use and registers touch inputs and appropriately produces feedback. Each inch of the infotainment system has been curated to suit the driver and his dynamics. There are ample USB ports on offer and the availability of smartphone integration adds to the quirkiness. However, the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto does make the experience, a tad bit overwhelming. While the base sound system works decently, the Bose system available with the higher-level trims adds to the driving experience. 

The MMI is a breeze to use and registers touch inputs and appropriately produces feedback.

Some infotainment system features are:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary Audio Input
• HD Radio
• MP3 Player
• Satellite Radio
• Premium Sound System
• Smart Device Integration

Cargo Capacity

Cargo capacity on the CX-9 is perhaps one of the few letdowns on the SUV. The car features a boot of a max 71.2 ft incapacity. However, the loading and unloading angles are well thought out, and putting stuff in the boot is not a problem at all.

The Dodge Durango features the largest boot amongst the rivals at 84.5 ft. Not too far behind is the Honda Pilot at 83.9 ft. While Santa Fe takes the 3rd spot with 80 ft, the Mazda CX-9 becomes the gatekeeper.

Also Read:

• Here's a look at the interior build and quality of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
• How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2017 Dodge Durango

At 4144 lbs curb weight, the CX-9 is the heaviest car in its segment and also pretty long at 199.4 inches but the elongated back does not look out of place and fits well with the rear fascia of the car. With a ground clearance of 8.8 inches, it's the most distance away from the ground amongst its competitors.

While it does fall in the overall design strategy of the brand with the traditional grille up front, the CX-9 has added refinement to it. It looks muscularly handsome and has a proportionate and well-planted stance. The 18/20-inch all-season tires add to the capabilities of the vehicle and simultaneously the alloy wheels also add depth and character to the design. There is an unapologetic use of chrome, which in all honesty, looks premium and upmarket.  

In the segment, the 2017 Dodge Durango is the largest vehicle in the segment. It is the longest in terms of overall length and wheelbase measuring 201.2 and 119.8 inches respectively. It is also the widest and tallest vehicle in the segment. The other vehicles have similar dimensions as one another and only differ diminutively. Some of the exterior features of the 2017 Mazda CX-9 are -

• 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Door mounted rearview mirrors
• Multi-spoke alloy wheels

Mazda has loaded the 2017 CX-9 with a host of safety features that ensure the safety of the passengers at all times. The car has also been crash-tested by all the major crash-testing agencies such as the NHTSA and the IIHS where it scored 4 stars or more in almost all the segments. Like every other vehicle from the brand, Mazda has aimed at curating a vehicle that keeps safety as a priority. Consequently, the midsize SUV has been loaded with abundant features right from its base variant. Some of these salient specifications include:

Safety Features

• 3-point seat belts at all seating positions
• Advanced dual front airbags with driver's seat-position and passenger-weight sensors
• Front side-impact airbags and side-impact curtain airbags with rollover protection
• Dynamic Stability Control2 and Traction Control System
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Also Read:

• Check out our review of the reliability of the 2017 Mazda CX-9
• Have a look at the safety ratings of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Mazda CX-9 vs Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango has a ferocious look synonymous with Dodge vehicles and it looks better than the Mazda CX-9. The interiors are well-appointed but the interior space is on the lower side. There is also seating for only 5 compared to the Mazda CX-9's 7. Not only does the Mazda drive well, but it also has a better interior and seating for more.

Mazda CX-9 vs Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is an SUV that is very similarly priced with an almost identical fuel economy as well. Thankfully, the similarities end right here. The styling on the Honda is very minivan-ish, sans the sliding doors of course. The Mazda CX-9, on the other hand, looks superior from every possible angle with its classy looks. The Mazda CX-9 also triumphs on both on and off-road riding capabilities. However, the Honda Pilot does offer to seat eight passengers.

Mazda CX-9 vs Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe is another soft-roader in the segment. The car features a beautiful futuristic design that makes it look more like a spaceship. Inside, the interior is nicely placed and makes use of a lot of soft-touch materials. However, Santa Fe loses out to the Mazda CX-9 in terms of interior space and overall ride and handling.

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 is a beast of an SUV to drive and even to look at. The car features an upmarket cabin that has the ability to put even more premium cars to shame. It drives so well that it can surprise even the most critical enthusiast. Over its competitors, it has higher efficiency, a finely tuned suspension, and most importantly, it bears a rather affordable price tag against the utility it provides.  All in all, if you want a peppy, swift, and comfortable 7 seater, the CX-9 SUV is something worth considering.