Mazda CX-9

Mazda CX-9
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda
Production	2006–present
Assembly	Hiroshima Plant, Hiroshima, Japan
Designer	Kaname Sawai (2004)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size (sometimes considered mid-size) crossover SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Transverse front engine,[1] front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive
Platform	Ford CD3 platform
Related	Ford Edge Ford Fusion Mercury Milan Lincoln MKZ Mazda6
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L MZI V6 (2007) 3.7 L MZI V6 (2008-2015)
Transmission	Six-speed F21 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,875 mm (113.2 in)
Length	5,075 mm (199.8 in)
Width	1,935 mm (76.2 in)
Height	2007-09: 1,730 mm (68 in) 2007-09 Grand Touring: 1,735 mm (68.3 in) 2010-15: 1,727 mm (68.0 in)
Curb weight	2,054 kg (4,528 lb) (approx.)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mazda MPV

The Mazda CX-9 is a full-size (sometimes considered a mid-size) crossover SUV manufactured by Mazda.

Up until 2016 model, the CX-9 was built on the Ford CD3 platform shared with the Ford Edge and Ford Fusion, and used the same 3.7 L V6 engine. The 2016 model was a major redesign of CX-9 which was no longer based on the Ford lineup. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models of the CX-9 are available.

The CX-9 is manufactured at the Ujina 1 plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Despite being built in Japan, the CX-9 is not sold in Japan's domestic market. However, Mazda plans to sell the second-generation model in Japan, starting October 2016.

2007 model

The 2007 CX-9 was fitted with a 3.5 L Cyclone V6 engine. Standard safety equipment included electronic stability control, traction control, roll stability control, front-side impact airbags, and three-row side-curtain airbags. Options included DVD navigation system, hands-free Bluetooth phone link, backup camera, and a rear entertainment system with Bose 5.1 surround sound.

2008 model

For the 2008 model year, the engine was changed to a 3.7 L unit producing 204 kW (274 hp) and 366 N·m (270 lb·ft) of torque.^[2] The engine went into production in June 2007 at Mazda’s engine plant in Japan. The 2008 CX-9 uses an Aisin F21++ six-speed automatic transmission with a console-mounted shifter in a complex gate. Mazda also introduced (in select trim lines) blind-spot monitoring, rearview mirror-mounted backup camera, and collision avoidance/blind spot warning detection.

The 2008 CX-9 won the Motor Trend SUV of the Year award.^[3]

It was also selected for the North American Truck of the Year award at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2008.

2007 Mazda CX-9 (US)  Interior

2010 facelift

The 2010 model Mazda CX-9 received a new grille, and debuted at the 2009 New York Auto Show. Marketing began in Australia during late September and early October in three variants: Classic, Luxury, and Grand Touring.

Auto Week noted that "compared with other midsize utes, the CX-9 is responsive and has great steering. It almost feels sporty, but not quite though."^[4]

The CX-9 has three-zone climate control and a Bluetooth hands-free interface as standard features. The more expensive Touring and Grand Touring trims include leather inserts in the upholstery, as well as higher-end audio and rear DVD entertainment systems also an engine power increase to 240kW (321 hp) in the Grand Touring (also known as Limited in Australia and New Zealand ).^[5]

2010 facelift  2010 facelift

2013 facelift

For the 2013 model year, the CX-9 received a refresh that included a new grill, new headlights, and restyled front vents. Power is still delivered by the Ford-sourced, 3.7 L V6, making 273 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque (240kW/321 hp grand touring) mated exclusively to the six-speed automatic transmission.^[6]

2013 facelift  2013 facelift

Second Generation (2016- present)

2016 Mazda CX-9 Azami 2WD (Australia)

2016 Mazda CX-9 Azami 2WD (Australia)

Interior

The CX-9 was completely redesigned for the 2016 model year.^[7] The second generation CX-9 has better performance than before, increased efficiency and a new level of refinement. The chassis is significantly lighter while the wheelbase is a 2.2-inch-longer, which should add legroom and ease rear passenger entry and exit. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, joined with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda says the new engine should return about 20 percent better fuel economy than the old V6 engine.

Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional.

The exterior design is in line with the rest of the Mazda family, especially in the front and rear ends. The new CX-9 is now 1.2in (30mm) shorter than before, at 199.4in (5,065mm), but rides on a 2.2in (55mm) longer wheelbase. This means shorter front and rear overhangs, contributing to its more dynamic stance, along with the new wheels, 18- to 20-inch in size.

Thanks to a lower weight, down 190 lbs (90 kg) in FWD and 287 lbs (130 kg) in AWD form, engineers were able to increase window thickness and rethink the active noise-cancellation technologies, which led to a 12 percent reduced interior noise at 62 mph (100 km/h) from the previous model.

The cabin has enough room for seven in three rows of seats, and access to the third row is said to be “so easy that even a child could do it”. Some of the features found inside include the LED accent lighting, four USB ports, a Bose sound system, the Mazda CONNECT infotainment system working together with a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen display for functions like Bluetooth, navigation, phone, Pandora or Aha by Harman music streaming, among others. The driver gets a 4.6-inch full-color TFT screen in the gauges, along with a full-color head-up display projected onto the lower part of the windshield. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is no longer available with rear seat entertainment system.

While the previous-gen used a 3.7-liter V6, this was dropped in favor of a brand new 2.5-liter force-fed four-cylinder that benefits from the Dynamic Pressure Turbo, the “world’s first turbocharger with the ability to vary the degree of exhaust pulsation depending on engine speed”.

The system works similarly to one placing a thumb on a garden hose, creating a strong amount of pressure through a smaller outlet, and it routes engine exhaust to the turbocharger’s turbine through small ports at low rpm. Instant boost is created, up to 1.2 bar (17.4 psi) of pressure and, when the engine is revved higher, secondary valves open, allowing larger amounts of exhaust gas to past through the turbocharger.

Maximizing the efficiency is a 4-3-1 exhaust, which joins the middle two cylinders (2 and 3) into a single port, while the outer cylinders (1 and 4) each have their own ports. The exhaust manifold encourages exhaust scavenging and uses a set of valves that route exhaust gases to the turbo through some small-diameter ports, speeding the air flow.

With 93-octane fuel, the powertrain produces 250 HP (254 PS) at 5,000 rpm and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque at 2,000 rpm. The figure drops to just 227 HP (230 PS) on regular 87-octane. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic. When traveling at 55 mph (88 km/h), a driver needs just 18 HP to maintain speed on flat roads, according to Mazda, in a front-wheel drive model, meaning a 4 HP improvement over the previous generation.

Mazda adds a series of active safety features on the new CX-9, which include the Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring, Mazda Radar Cruise Control, operating at speeds between 19 mph (30 km/h) and 90 mph (145 km/h), Lane-Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control, Smart City Brake Support, Distance Recognition Support System, Forward Obstruction Warning and Smart Brake Support, operating at speeds above 9 mph (15 mph).

The 2017 Mazda CX-9 will be offered in the following colors named Machine Grey, Soul Red, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black and Titanium Flash. However, these may not be available in all markets, as the company says.

References