What does the update bring to the table?
The Touring Plus trim is new to the CX-9 lineup for 2022.
The most significant thing to come from this update is that all CX-9s now come standard with Mazda’s i-Activ All-Wheel-Drive. However, the rest of the drivetrain is unchanged.
Power still comes from the familiar 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder that makes 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, that is on 87 octane gasoline. When filled up with premium 93 octane gas, that engine can churn out 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque (who’s really going to pay extra for that in a family SUV?).
That engine is still mated to a smooth yet old-fashioned 6-speed automatic transmission, whereas its rivals all use 8, 9, or 10-speed gearboxes or dual-clutches.
What does the rest of the trim range look like?
The most significant update was the addition of standard AWD.
The base Sport trim starts at $36,505 and includes all you would expect from a new family SUV like a 10.25-inch display, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring.
Next is the Touring trim which adds a power passenger seat, adding black or sand-colored leather for the front and second-row seats, and a better tilt function to make getting into the third row easier. All this comes in at $38,655.
The mid-range Touring Plus trim and is also new for 2022. It adds ventilated front seats, a black grille, black 20-inch wheels, aluminum roof rails, and a frameless rear-view mirror and it starts at $42,885.
The Carbon Edition is purely cosmetic as it adds grey body paint, black door mirrors, and chrome accents on the lower body molding. On the inside, it adds red leather seats, aluminum trim, and LED lighting and it starts at $44,805.
Next, the Grand Touring starts at $45,665 and comes with some infotainment goodies such as 360° View Monitor, Active Driving Display with Traffic Sign Recognition, and Mazda Navigation. Although, we are not sure why one would use the latter over Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Lastly, the Signature trim starts at $48,435 with heated seats in the first and second rows, both wrapped in Nappa leather and Rosewood interior trim.
Model | i-Activ All-Wheel Drive |
---|---|
CX-9 Sport | $35,280 |
CX-9 Touring | $37,430 |
• Touring Premium Package | $2,080 |
CX-9 Touring Plus | $41,660 |
CX-9 Carbon Edition | $43,580 |
CX-9 Grand Touring | $44,440 |
CX-9 Signature | $47,210 |
(All prices include destination fees)
How does it look to the competition?
Mazda has updated the CX-9 for 2022.
The main competition for the CX-9 is the Ford Explorer, which starts at $35,185, the three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee which starts at $40,685, the Hyundai Palisade, which starts at $33,860, and the KIA Telluride, which has a starting price of $34,015 (All prices include destination fees).
Family SUVs are rather similar at this price point, but the Mazda will have one of, if not the best interior of the bunch, not to mention being the best to drive. The issue is, it will probably have to lean hard on those two things, especially in competition with the KIA Telluride. We have all seen just how good of an option that car is in this segment.
Source: Mazda.com
Keyword: Mazda releases new pricing and packages for the CX-9