2011 Mazda CX-9

The 2011 CX-9 is available in three trims namely the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. All the three trims are well priced with respect to the features on offer. The good thing about all the trims is that they offer many features as standard. All the trims can be had in FWD or AWD configuration.

Which trim should you buy?

The Touring trim makes more sense to us. It has most of the features of the Grand Touring trim and costs about $ 2040 less than it. If you can shell out extra bucks, you can opt for the Grand Touring trim which will pamper you well. 

The 2011 Mazda CX-9 is powered by a 3.7L V-6 engine producing about 273 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that is refined and comes with FWD as standard. The acceleration times are decent considering its size. It does a 0-60 mph sprint in under 7.7 seconds and a quarter-mile drag is completed in about 15.6 seconds. The 2011 CX-9 comes in FWD configuration as standard. The AWD configuration costs about $1400 extra. 

The performance of all SUVs in the competition is closely matched with each other. The Ford Explorer produces the most firepower and Nissan Pathfinder, the least. The Explorer offers better top speed than its competition. The CX-9 comes with a slightly larger engine than the Sorento and Explorer. The Pathfinder comes with the largest engine of the lot, with the least power output. 

The CX-9 is not the most fuel-efficient SUV of the lot. It is equipped with a larger engine as compared to its competition. It gives 17 mpg, 24 mpg, and 21 mpg, in the city, on the highway, and in combined driving conditions. With a fuel tank capacity of 20.1 gallons, it can offer a range of 342, 482 miles, and 422 miles, in the city, on the highway, and in combined driving conditions.

The Kia Sorento is the most fuel-efficient SUV. It is equipped with a 15.9-gallon fuel tank and in mixed driving conditions, can offer a range of 445 miles. The CX-9 is the least fuel-efficient vehicle but owing to a larger fuel tank it can deliver a good range. The Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer offer the same fuel efficiency despite differences in their engine capacities. The Explorer comes with a smaller tank and offers less range. 

The Mazda CX-9 can seat up to seven passengers. The interior layout of the CX-9 feels premium and well laid out as compared to the competition. The front two rows are better suited for adults and the third row is meant for kids. The front seats have good seat cushioning but owing to the design of the dash panel, the legroom feels tight. 

The second-row seats are very comfortable and have enough headroom even with the sunroof. From the Touring trim itself, the seats are leather-trimmed and heated for better comfort. Overall, the quality of material used in the cabin feels top-notch and comes with good built quality. 

The CX-9 comes with a 17.2 cu-ft of cargo capacity behind the third row. It is adequate in most usage scenarios and if not, the third-row seats can be folded to extend the cargo capacity. The Explorer offers the most cargo capacity behind the third row and the Kia Sorento offers the least. The Nissan Pathfinder offers about 16.5 cu-ft of space behind the third row. Some of the standout interior features of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 are:

• Piano black or wooden interior trim 
• Three-zone climate control system
• Speed-sensing door locks
• Leather-trimmed seats (1 st and 2nd row)
• Keyless entry and start system 

How intuitive is the 2012 Mazda CX-9’s infotainment system?

The CX-9 is equipped with an intuitive and easy-to-use infotainment system. It gets AM/FM/CD stereo with 6 speakers, steering mounted controls, Bluetooth connectivity, Sirius satellite ready head unit, and auxiliary input jack as standard. You also get access to an optional Bose music system with the Bose audio package and an optional rear-seat entertainment package with a 9-inch display can be availed to make those boring journeys exciting. If you need navigation support then you need to avail yourself Navigation system package which includes a voice command, a 7-inch LCD touch screen, and a rearview camera. Some of the standout infotainment features of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 are:

• Steering mounted audio controls 
• AM/FM/CD stereo with 6 speakers
• Sirius satellite radio
• Auxiliary audio input jack
• Optional Bose audio system (Touring and above)
• Optional Navigation package (Grand Touring)

The 2011 CX-9 is devoid of aggressive styling and is designed to be minimalistic. The absence of sharp, aggressive character lines and creases on the body profile makes it look elegant. The front fascia combines a small chrome finish grille with Mazda logo on it and two headlamps look similar to tilted “Parallelogram”. 

The side profile is smooth and fluidic. The slightly sloping roofline and chrome on window panes, give it an appealing look. The rear profile looks good with wraparound tail lamps and a roof-mounted spoiler with an integrated stop light that gives it a sporty look. Overall, the CX-9 looks distinctive and is easily recognizable on the road

The CX-9 comes with decent ground clearance but can’t beat the Pathfinder. The Nissan Pathfinder is a more capable off-roader than it. A longer wheelbase on the CX-9 ensures better high-speed stability and good legroom. The Sorento has the lower ground clearance and is also the lightest of the lot. A shorter wheelbase helps it with nimble handling. Some of the standout exterior features of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 are:

• Privacy-tint rear glass
• Rear roof spoiler
• HID (Xenon) low-beam headlights with automatic on/off (Grand Touring)
• Rear step bumper
• Dual stainless steel exhaust tips

The 2011 CX-9 is equipped with many safety features to ensure your peace of mind. The features like roll stability control, dynamic stability control, traction control system, front airbags, curtain airbags, active front headrests, etc helps the driver with better control of the vehicle. The IIHS has rated it as “Good” in most test scenarios except for a low crossover rating. Some of the standout safety features of the 2011 Mazda CX-9 are:

• LATCH system 
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Antitheft alarm 
• Dynamic stability control 
• Active front headrests. 

The Mazda CX-9 is a well-built and elegant vehicle. It is equipped with good quality interiors and comes with many creature comforts as standard. It also scores well in the safety department and the performance is good for its size. However, we expected the fuel efficiency to be better but it is less than its rivals. It has the ability to be your daily driver by offering good practicality and reliability simultaneously.