There’s a great deal of choice in the used three-row SUV market, so buyers can take their time choosing a vehicle based on space, dependability, resale strength, or premium interiors. They’ll often look at an Acura MDX, a Lexus RX-L, or a Kia Telluride if they want a more high-touch interior or may opt for a Toyota Highlander if they’re looking for longer-term value.But they can sometimes breeze right past a Mazda CX-9 Signature, because it may not be one of the bigger, newer, or more obvious choices. However, a 2021 version may still have plenty to shout about in its specific market zone, with a cabin and driving character that feels very upscale. Crucially, it’s also priced more like a mainstream family SUV, which makes it very competitive against some of the more likely choices. A Bargain May Be Hiding In Mazda's Most Ambitious Trim MazdaThe three-row used SUV market often rewards vehicles with a long-established reputation or those that come from a mainstream manufacturer. Buyers here will often look for subtle things, like cabin detailing, steering feel, and material quality, and the type of features that live within specific trims. Mazda wanted to be competitive here and leaned into that detailed approach with its second-generation CX-9. This turned out to be very distinct from the larger first-generation model and buyers may be overlooking these vehicles in the used market, creating a strong pricing position for bargain seekers.With its redesign for the 2016 CX-9, Mazda leaned into a premium atmosphere, driver engagement, and an upscale interpretation of the family crossover. The Signature became the highest-end expression of the concept, to include standard i-Activ all-wheel drive, Nappa seats, Santos Rosewood interior trim, and unique steering wheel stitching. It also had second-row captain's chairs with a center console, patterned aluminum interior detailing, and a bigger 10.25" Mazda Connect display.This SUV went on sale in 2021 at $46,605 before the destination charge, putting it into near-luxury territory at that point. But in the used market today, people tend to treat a 2021 CX-9 Signature as simply a three-row SUV from Mazda. But a savvy buyer will note how loaded this crossover is and will also note that it approached almost $48k with destination fees when new. That smart buyer will realize that the CX-9 Signature is now in the same price conversation as some less lavishly equipped rivals and is trending lower than its main competitors.CarBuzz Marketplace shows the 2021 Signature at an average price of $24,659. Against that, CarBuzz shows the Honda Pilot EX-L AWD at $30,696, and the Toyota Highlander XLE at $29,799 in FWD form. Mazda Made The CX-9 Feel Expensive Before It Felt Big Mazda The strongest emotional case for this particular CX-9 is its cabin, and it doesn’t feel overloaded with screens or gimmicks. Instead, it feels more expensive in a traditional way, with restrained design, soft leather, warm trim, and clean switchgear, while featuring a good driving position. Still, the CX-9 may not be the perfect answer for larger families, and it does tend to feel a little smaller than some of its rivals. You can get up to 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space if you keep all the seats in place, and 71.2 cubic feet otherwise. For some, that’s a bit of a compromise, so the Mazda is not the roomiest three-row choice.The CX-9 Signature may still be best suited to families who only use a third row occasionally, or to a group with one or two children who want some extra flexibility. Having said that, the style and feel of the cabin are probably a better argument for the CX-9 Signature than its cargo bay. But this Mazda may yet be a more satisfying choice than an obvious Pilot or Highlander if the family decision-maker wants a vehicle that is a little more composed, mature, and tasteful for their money. The Turbo 4 Gives The CX-9 A Hidden Performance Edge Mazda While the interior does most of the shouting for the CX-9, the engine is another reason to consider this solution. Here, the 2021 CX-9 has Mazda's Skyactiv-G 2.5L turbo inline-four, paired with a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission. The engine produces 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular 87 octane gas, rising to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium 93 fuel, with those torque figures particularly impressive. They enable the engine to deliver its strength low down in the rev range and turn the CX-9 into a vehicle that's perfectly relaxed for everyday use.Mazda also added its Dynamic Pressure Turbo system and cooled EGR strategy to help improve low-rpm response and real-world drivability. Independent testers found that a 2021 CX-9 Signature AWD could reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is typically slower than some other three-row SUVs in that important metric. But the vehicle did attract praise for its steering, body control, and handling.Mazda's six-speed automatic may be smooth and well-matched to the engine's torque, but it's not as modern as some competitor options in 2021. Rivals had already moved to transmissions with more ratios at this point, such as the Honda Pilot's nine-speed automatic or Toyota's eight speed aboard the Highlander. By contrast, the CX-9's six-speed could feel a little overworked at times and may contribute to lower fuel economy ratings.Having said that, the CX-9 doesn't score too badly on the fuel economy front. EPA ratings show 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the front-wheel-drive version, or 20 city and 26 highway for all-wheel-drive. The 2021 Honda Pilot AWD is in similar territory at 19/26, and the Toyota Highlander AWD shows 20/27. Depreciation Is Both An Opportunity And A Warning Mazda Used market pricing for the CX-9 is tempting right now, but it’s essential to take a closer look at depreciation before jumping. After all, depreciation is only a good news story in its entirety if the buyer comes in after the vehicle has endured its deepest drop. It can sometimes be less of a good news story if a buyer wants to resell quickly.The 2021 CX-9 Signature has endured a 33% depreciation drop over the last three years, according to one online source, which compares to a 25% drop for a 2021 Highlander XLE. That suggests Toyota still has a stronger resale reputation, and the Highlander may be a better bet for shorter ownership cycles. But while the Highlander and the Pilot tend to be default choices for family SUV buyers, lower general pricing means that CX-9 buyers can still shop a top-trim Mazda against some mid-tier rivals. The Best Buys In The 2019 To 2021 Signature Range Are Carefully Chosen Mazda Buyers shouldn't automatically choose the cheapest CX-9 they can find but should look for the best-kept second-generation example that has the correct trim, the right records, and a realistic price. In the 2019 to 2021 Signature range, buyers will find the mature 2.5T generation and its premium cabin specification and may also find enough age-related depreciation to make the entire value case very credible.Certainly, the second-generation CX-9 should represent a better solution on the reliability front than the earlier V6-powered first-gen model. But there are potential issues to look out for with the second-generation 2.5T as well. One particular Mazda technical service bulletin covers coolant leaks around the cylinder head on certain 2016 to 2020 CX-9 SkyActiv-G 2.5T vehicles. This makes it important for buyers to look carefully at service records and to zero in on any coolant loss history.Having said that, owners tend to give good feedback for this vehicle and highlight its comfort, interior quality, performance, and handling. CarBuzz tested a fully loaded 2021 example and could understand why it was such a popular entrant in an over-crowded segment. It also said that you'd struggle to find a more effective and luxurious package without crossing into luxury territory. The IIHS gave the 2021 CX-9 a Top Safety Pick+ designation as well.In summary, the Mazda CX-9 Signature may not be the most obvious choice in the used family SUV market, but that’s probably why it represents such a good opportunity. Buyers may not get as much third-row and cargo space as some rivals and may feel that the six-speed automatic is inferior to its competitors. But still, this CX-9 has strong low-RPM turbo torque and polished road manners and does come through with premium cabin materials. It’s also surprisingly attainable when you consider its original near-luxury positioning.Even though the CX-9 may have fallen into the shadow of the replacement CX-90, that does not make its case irrelevant at all. Instead, the Mazda CX-9 Signature may yet be the smartest bargain hiding in the three-row aisle today.
