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2020 Mazda CX-9

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Make
Mazda
Model
CX-9
Year
2020
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Mazda CX-9 OEM Exterior Photo
OEM Interior Primary
OEM Exterior Standard
OEM Exterior
OEM Interior
Photos Colors
Expert Rating
3.4 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2020 Sport 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility
most popular
Price:   -  From $33,890
2020 Touring 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $35,710
2020 Sport 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $35,790
2020 Touring 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $37,610
2020 Grand Touring 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $41,550
2020 Grand Touring 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $43,450
2020 Signature 4dr i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive Sport Utility Price:   -  From $46,215

Overview

What's New

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 returns with several changes. The engine has been enhanced to deliver 23 more horsepower and 10 more pound-feet of torque than the outgoing model on 93 octane premium gasoline. The CX-9 also becomes the first Mazda to be available with the brand's new off-road traction assist feature, which is included when all-wheel drive is selected.

All models now come standard with heated front seats and the i-Activsense suite of active safety features, which includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more.

The Touring and above receive a new 9-inch touchscreen, while the Touring and Grand Touring are available with new second-row captain's chairs. These come standard on the range-topping Signature.

Choosing Your Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 is available in four trims: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature. Pricing starts at $34,835 including destination for the base model and reaches $47,160 for the Signature.

Engine Choices

The CX-9 features a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It produces 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque when using regular unleaded gasoline. When fueled by premium gas, these numbers increase to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.

Front-wheel drive is standard on all but the Signature, which comes with standard all-wheel drive. AWD is available on the three lower trims for $1,900.

According to the EPA, the CX-9 achieves 22 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 combined. These figures drop to 20/26/23 mpg (city/highway/combined) with AWD.

The CX-9’s 3,500-pound towing capacity matches the Honda Pilot.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The Mazda CX-9 seats up to seven or six with the available second-row captain’s chairs. The interior space is slightly smaller than some rivals, including the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas.

Choice materials are found throughout the cabin. The front seats are comfortable, offering superior back, hip, and thigh support. The optional leather seats are plush, yet supportive.

Cargo space is one of the CX-9’s weaknesses, measuring just 14.4 cubic feet behind the third row. Even with the second- and third-row seats folded, cargo space measures 71.2 cubic feet, which is far less than the 97.6 cubic feet found in the Buick Enclave.

Mazda CX-9

Safety Features

Mazda supplies several driver assist technologies under its newly standard i-Activsense suite. These include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Grand Touring and Signature also include a surround-view camera system and front and rear parking sensors.

The CX-9 carries a five-star overall safety rating with the NHTSA, and is a Top Safety Pick Plus according to the IIHS.

Connectivity

The CX-9 has a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD radio, Pandora and Stitcher integration, and two front USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't standard, but Apple CarPlay is available for $200 on the base model.

The Touring and above are equipped with a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two second-row USB ports. The Grand Touring further includes navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, and two third-row USB ports.

Mazda CX-9

Sport - From $34,835

Mazda equips the standard Sport model with LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, heated side mirrors, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the cabin features cloth seating, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat with lumbar control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and three-zone automatic climate control. Keyless entry and push button start are also standard.

Touring - From $36,655

The Touring trim adds leather seating, the 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a power front passenger seat, and a power liftgate. Other changes of note include additional cup holders and a power slide-and-tilt second-row seat.

An available Premium Package ($2,100) brings a moonroof, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, two third-row USB ports, front and rear parking sensors, and LED fog lights. With it selected, buyers can opt for the second-row captain's chairs for no cost.

Grand Touring - From $42,495

At the Grand Touring level, the CX-9 comes with a moonroof, a hands-free liftgate, roof rails, an adaptive front lighting system, LED fog lights, 20-inch wheels, chrome body molding, and power-folding side mirrors.

Also included is the Bose audio system, navigation system, surround-view camera system, ventilated front seats, heated second row outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and front and rear parking sensors.

The second-row captain's chairs are a no-cost option here.

Signature - From $47,160

The top-of-the-line Signature comes standard with all-wheel drive and the second-row captain's chairs. Upgraded exterior color choices, premium Nappa leather seating, and real wood trim are also included.

Compare CX-9 Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

Shoppers looking for luxurious features typically found in premium models would do well to start their search with the 2020 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring trim. It offers many features found in BMW and Cadillac models, but for a much lower cost.

author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Gorgeous design
  • Well-executed interior
  • Good safety features
Cons
  • Poor infotainment
  • Cramped third row
  • Middling cargo space
Expert Rating
3.4 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

Gorgeous styling. Lovely from any angle, the design of the 2020 Mazda CX-9 eclipses every other vehicle in its class – from both mainstream and luxury brands. With few straight lines, the biggest Mazda features sheet metal stamped into nuanced curves, creating the illusion of a smaller vehicle.

The look begins up front, with a stunningly sculpted version of the brand’s signature shield grille consisting of five pairs of horizontal chrome bars. It's framed by a protruding extension of the hood line on top, and a large chrome piece that extends from one headlamp housing midpoint to the other that dips down to form the lower edge of the grille. The grille is also flanked by narrow headlamp housings that neatly integrate into the overall theme.

Along the sides, there’s nary a straight line to be found, with crisp, sculpted lines and either 18- or 20-inch wheels filling the gently arched wheel housings. The sensuous look continues in back, with a wide chrome trim strip bridging the taillights, while a matching chrome strip trims the bottom edge of the lower valance.


Mazda CX-9

Stunning interior. The CX-9's interior is equally sublime. Even the modestly-priced Sport model offers class-above materials, finely-grained plastic trim, soft-touch surfaces, and silky-smooth switchgear. At the same time, the top-line Signature trim, with Nappa leather seating and brushed aluminum and Santos Rosewood trim, rivals those from European luxury brands.

Versatility is enhanced by folding the third row, a configuration we suggest as a permanent solution. Doing so reveals 38 cubic feet of storage space, while 71 cubic feet of storage space is available with the second row down.

The Touring trim is our best buy pick, as it adds a 9-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, leather-trimmed front and middle row seats, heated front seats, a power passenger seat, a power liftgate, a power second row, and a second-row armrest with two USB ports, storage, and cup holders.

At the same time, while nicely bolstered and, in our experience, still offering all-day comfort, the seats could use more padding. They're somewhat firm for American tastes, while the cabin’s delights end at the second row.

With just 30 inches of leg room, 40 inches of hip room, and 35 inches of head room, third-row occupants should be limited to small children. In addition, the CX-9’s descending roofline and raked back glass limits vertical space behind the back row, where just 14 cubic feet of cargo room is available.

Advanced safety. The NHTSA gives the CX-9 a five-star overall safety rating, their highest mark possible. It also receives a Top Safety Pick Plus award from the IIHS, courtesy of standard adaptive LED headlights, LED taillights, LED fog lights, and automatic high beams.

Additional advanced safety features across the board include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.

Annoying infotainment. All but the Touring model now feature Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a new 9-inch color touchscreen for 2020. Huzzah! These are all compelling reasons to avoid the Sport trim, but all models still feature a distracting knob-and-button console interface.

Why Mazda – a company devoted to the principle of a driver-centric cabin – continues to use menu-intensive infotainment software remains a mystery. Case in point: rather than simply holding down a station button, pre-setting requires adding a station to a "favorite list." This requires tuning to the station you want to “favorite,” which is then added to the bottom of the list.

We tried moving favorites up and down the list to change the order but were never successful, or patient enough to see this through. Deciding between the convoluted OEM navigation system and Apple Maps is also a no brainer. Enough said.

Final thoughts. Slick but hardly perfect, the 2020 Mazda CX-9 disappoints with its mediocre cargo space, barely functional third row, and overly complex infotainment system. Still, a wide range of safety features, ravishing interior, and stunning design clearly place Mazda’s biggest crossover above the near-luxury large crossover class.

Checking the competition, families with older children should note that both the Chevrolet Traverse (33.5 inches, 48.5 inches, and 38 inches), and Honda Pilot (32 inches, 45 inches, and 39 inches) offer more leg, hip, and headroom, respectively.

Check prices for the 2020 Mazda CX-9 »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 227 HP / 310 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
22 / 28 / 25 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.5L I-4 / 227 HP / 310 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
22 / 28 / 25 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
19.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$73
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
71.2 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
135 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
199.4 "
Exterior Width
77.5 "
Exterior Height
67.6 "
Front Headroom
39.3 "
Rear Headroom
38.5 "
Front Legroom
41.0 "
Rear Legroom
39.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
57.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.1 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,225 Lbs.
Wheel Base
115 "
Turning Radius
19.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Gray Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(6-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
(6-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm/hd, Clock, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Smart Brake Support Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Monitoring (bsm) Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Keep Assist System Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Pedestrian Detection Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
High Beam Control (hbc) Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2020 Mazda CX-9 for Sale

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