Near luxury

While I was driving it, I had to remind myself the Mazda CX-9 Signature is not a luxury vehicle, because man it sure does a good impression of one.

I know – Mazda, right? Fine, but hear me out.

The second gen CX-9 was all-new in 2016 and is built on a platform shared with the Mazda6 sedan, with which it also shares powertrains. On that front, all CX-9s are driven by a 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel and 250 hp / 320 lb-ft with 93 octane. The only gearbox available is a six-speed automatic that’s paired with standard all-wheel drive.

android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature

Canada gets five CX-9 grades, seven if you count the GS-L and GT Captain’s Chairs separately, that are differentiated by levels of content: GS, GS-L, GT, Kuro and Signature.

For 2021.5, Mazda’s mid-year update designation, the CX-9 receives two new tech features. Perhaps the most significant is a 10.25-inch multimedia display with an updated Mazda Connect interface, which is standard on all grades. It comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, along with SiriusXM satellite radio, embedded navigation and other features. The new display will also support Mazda Connected Services, which allows for remote engine start / stop, locking / unlocking doors, and other features via the MyMazda smartphone app. Mazda Connected Services will be rolled out this fall.

For the purposes of this review, Mazda Canada set me up with a top-line Signature tester finished in Machine Grey Metallic ($300 paint charge) with a Deep Chestnut Nappa leather-trimmed interior. Apart from the paint charge, all equipment on my test vehicle is standard issue. Key features include heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Bose premium audio with 12 speakers, power moonroof, and a lot more.

android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature

The CX-9 Signature is a handsome SUV. Its large pentagonal grille, human eye-shaped LED headlights and 20-inch alloy wheels give it strong curb appeal. Even though SUV design is somewhat limited by form factor, Mazda designers have done a good job of giving the CX-9 some interesting curves, shapes and surfacing details that keep it from being boring and uninteresting. It’s not a sports car, but at least the CX-9 has some style, which many of its boring and boxy rivals don’t.

As much as I like the CX-9’s sheet metal, the cabin is where this SUV really shines. As I said at the outset, there is a strong up-market feel here that other mass-market SUVs simply don’t possess. From the Santos Rosewood trim in the centre console and on door switch panels to the stitching detail of the perforated Nappa leather seats, and the solid, tactile feel of controls and switches, the CX-9 is punching way above its weight.

What I’m struck most by, and I think this sentiment aligns with Mazda’s governing philosophy, is the logical elegance of the layout. One can slide behind the steering wheel of the CX-9 and figure out how everything works in a few minutes. There’s plenty of sophisticated tech undergirding the proceedings, but it exists mostly in the background. It doesn’t get in the way.

The instrument cluster is partially digitized, but it uses familiar round gauges to convey vital information. The centre stack has tastefully designed buttons and knobs, but they require no explanation. It’s a similar story with the multimedia interface, which has a rotary knob and a handful of buttons to govern the 10.25-inch screen’s multitude of functions. Fiddle around with it for a few minutes and you’ve mastered it.

android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature
android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature

Everything works as one would expect. Even the Android Auto pairing, which can be an adventure in some cars, but not here. Just pair the phone, plug it in and its ready to go, every time. Easy. No wireless connection is available yet, but Mazda will likely add it in due course.

As for the drive and its other SUV credentials, I can summarize by saying they’re mostly what one would expect for a vehicle of this size.

First, the drive. The 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G turbo four is found in many Mazda products these days, and it delivers respectable, but not neck-snapping, performance. One must wind it up to 5,000 r.p.m. to unlock peak horsepower, but top-end torque starts at just 2,000 r.p.m. (2,500 rpm with 93 octane), which is good for stop light getaways and passing slow 18-wheelers that frequently clog up multiple lanes on the highway.

android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature

A console-mounted sport button that will bump the revs and wind out rpms before upshifting, along with paddle shifters and a manual mode for the six-speed autobox are there if one wishes to liven things up a bit, but they’re miscast in a three-row, seven-passenger SUV. I fiddled with them a bit, but mostly ignored them, as I suspect most CX-9 owners do. Generally, the ride is comfortable and hushed with good sound suppression, and general handling feels responsive for a big SUV. Performance is not a significant purchase consideration for buyers in this category.

On the utility front, the second row Captain’s Chairs offer comfortable and spacious seating with plenty of room to stretch out. The third row is cramped for adults but is acceptable for short trips and is fine for kids.

android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature

Interior space is voluminous: 407 litres with the second and third row upright, 1,082 litres with second row folded flat, and 2,017 litres with both second and third rows flattened. A handy height-adjustable power liftgate comes standard, and for those who haul, the CX-9 has a maximum tow rating of 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg).

Add all of this to a pile of standard safety kit, and it’s easy to see why the CX-9 holds a lot of appeal. Sales are up 103 percent this year through the second quarter, so clearly consumers agree. So, while Mazda might not have a luxury brand, with offerings like the CX-9 Signature, I’d say it doesn’t need one.

2021.5 Mazda CX-9 Signature Specifications

BODY STYLE: Mid-size SUV

DRIVE METHOD: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, six-speed automatic transmission

ENGINE: 2.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder (227 hp / 310 lb-ft.; 250 hp / 320 lb-ft. w/ 93 octane)

FUEL ECONOMY: (Regular 87) 11.6 / 9.1 / 10.5 L / 100 km city / highway / combined

CARGO VOLUME: 2,017 litres (71.3 cu ft)

PRICE: $52,300 base / $53,600 as tested, excl. taxes

WEBSITE: www.mazda.ca

android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature
android, review: 2021 mazda cx-9 signature

Keyword: Review: 2021 Mazda CX-9 Signature

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Surprisingly, Mazda's Push To Move Upmarket Is Actually Working

Photo: Mazda Thanks to the popularity of the CX-50 and CX-90, Mazda’s profits grew significantly in the last quarter, Automotive News reports. In fact, the Japanese automaker believes this fiscal year will be the best on record from both a profit and U.S. sales perspective. If its forecasts are ...

View more: Surprisingly, Mazda's Push To Move Upmarket Is Actually Working

Mazda Says "Very Cool" MX-5 Miata Special Editions Are Coming

MX-5 Program Manager Shigeki Saito says the ND generation will be sold for as long as possible.

View more: Mazda Says "Very Cool" MX-5 Miata Special Editions Are Coming

Best-selling bakkies in South Africa – Models and pricing

Best-selling bakkies in South Africa 1. Toyota Hilux – 3,110 units 2. Ford Ranger – 1,853 units 3. Isuzu D-Max – 1,464 units 4. Nissan NP200 – 961 units 5. Mahindra Pik Up – 565 units 6. Nissan Navara – 354 units 7. VW Amarok – 352 units 8. ...

View more: Best-selling bakkies in South Africa – Models and pricing

Mazda CX-8 and MX-30 Saying Goodbye to Australia at the End of 2023

Mazda has confirmed that the CX-8 and the MX-30 will be saying goodbye to the Australian market at the end of 2023 as Mazda looks to expand its range of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric offerings. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, at least for the MX-30, ...

View more: Mazda CX-8 and MX-30 Saying Goodbye to Australia at the End of 2023

Mazda Hits Two Million Production Milestone for Famed Rotary Engines

Mazda has announced it has hit a new production milestone for its famed rotary engines, with the company’s production volumes exceeding two million units in total. Fifty-six years after the Mazda Cosmo Sport (Mazda 110S) was introduced to the world in 1967 and after multiple production shutdowns and a dozen ...

View more: Mazda Hits Two Million Production Milestone for Famed Rotary Engines

Mazda sports car concept in Tokyo previews the future of the MX-5

The Mazda Iconic SP is the clearest indication yet that the MX-5, currently in its fourth generation, will continue delighting drivers worldwide for another model generation.  With this promising development, the MX-5 will continue to be the Japanese equivalent of the Porsche 911 – evergreen, popular everywhere, highly recognisable ...

View more: Mazda sports car concept in Tokyo previews the future of the MX-5

Mazda Miata Owner Regrets Getting Retractable Hardtop

The folding hardtop causes issues for a track car.

View more: Mazda Miata Owner Regrets Getting Retractable Hardtop

Mazda Says It Can Shrink The Iconic SP To The Size Of A Miata

Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama mentions they intentionally made it bigger.

View more: Mazda Says It Can Shrink The Iconic SP To The Size Of A Miata

Mazda debuts gorgeous Iconic SP!

MY24 Mazda CX-30 Prices & Specs Confirmed, Arrives January

A Closer Look At the Mazda Iconic SP Concept In All Of Its FD RX-7-eqsue Glory

Honda Prelude, Mazda Iconic SP, Subaru Sport Mobility, Nissan Hyper Force: Rambling About Cars 147

Here's How The Rotary-Electric Powertrain Works In The Mazda Iconic SP Concept

The Rotary-Electric Mazda Iconic SP Concept Marks The Return of Pop Up Headlights

Mazda Iconic SP Concept Is An FD RX-7-Inspired Rotary Hybrid Beauty

The best of Tokyo: Japan Mobility Show's most innovative vehicle concepts

Mazda’s Iconic SP Concept Envisions a Futuristic MX-5 Lookalike

JMS 2023: The Iconic SP is Mazda’s vision of a carbon-neutral sports car

Mazda Unveils ‘Iconic SP’ Concept with 272kW Rotary EV Hybrid

Mazda Unveils Iconic SP Concept at Japan Mobility Show

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel