I have a friend who is considering buying a Mazda CX-9. She's probably looking at a slightly used example--- 20-40K miles or so. I've driven these new, and thought they were about the most fun to drive large crossover / SUV thing out there, but I haven't heard anything about their reliability. Any input from the hive? A quick search on the interwebs show they seem to be pretty solid. FWIW, she's narrowed it down to a Highlander, a Pilot, or a CX-9.
Any input is appreciated! 
They're still really new and AFAIK it's the only car with the Turbocharged SkyActive-G. So there is some risk with the drivetrain. Also, I don't know how much upgrading they've done to the trans and cooling over the CX-5 when the CX-9 is a considerably heavier and torquier car.
My friend is considering an older one--- before the current re-design. 2010-2015. They are powered by a 3.7 liter V6. I haven't heard much positive, or negative, so I'm hoping that no news is good news.
Are we talking about the new CX-9 or the old Ford Flex platformed CX-9? The new CX-9 is the best-looking vehicle in the class, in my opinion. Our family has outgrown the CX-5 we bought in 2013 and the easy button is a new Machine Gray CX-9. Went to look at one with my checkbook in hand last week but alas it has a fatal flaw.
60/40 second row. Really, Mazda? Do you know how people with kids use SUVs? Kids don't queue up and orderly get in a car, they pile in three-abreast and sometimes compete with dogs doing the same.
Nobody wants to take the time to tilt, slide, fold and contort the second row to get access to the third. Kids especially are either going to climb over the seats, or hurt themselves working the mechanism.
So while it has a third row, without practical access to it by walking through second row buckets, it's off my list. :(
The previous CX-9 is fine if it works for her. I don't think it was a standout and had been around for a while by the time it was discontinued. I prefer those before the Mazda corporate smileyface update.
When we went to order the CX-5, the sales manager offered to knock something like $15k off their last 2013 CX-9, making it cheaper than the CX-5. Said they couldn't give it away.
Edit: Sorry, I see we're talking about the old CX-9. The last facelift looked a lot better than the smileyface. With the introduction of the all-new CX-9, she should be able to get a good deal on a lightly used one. Nothing bad about them that I'm aware of.
Only thing I've heard you should avoid in the Mazda SUV line of recent years was the CX-7. When we went looking for a bigger vehicle we were looking for a clean CX-9, but couldn't find one. Everything I read said they were pretty good.
Thanks for the input guys! I was hoping there weren't any nasty surprises lurking. (usually aren't with Mazda) Out of the Pilot, Highlander and CX-9, she likes the Mazda best. I'm going to have her drive all three to be sure. I actually prefer the Mazda as well, as it's surprisingly fun to drive.
Depreciation is her friend, as CX-9s are downright cheap on the used market. Of course this will come back to bite her later when she decides to sell it, but she's ok with that. She doesn't have kids, and most of the time the 3rd row will be stowed. She owns a cleaning business, so she needs the space, but didn't want anything too cumbersome. The big Mazda looks like it will work for her nicely.
Harvey wrote: Only thing I've heard you should avoid in the Mazda SUV line of recent years was the CX-7. When we went looking for a bigger vehicle we were looking for a clean CX-9, but couldn't find one. Everything I read said they were pretty good.
Off topic, but it's amazing how one bad engine (The turbocharged one) can tar-and-feather a model. Our NA CX-7 has been a very good vehicle.
I can think of at least two families we know that have a CX-9 and nothing but good things to say about them.
Joe Gearin wrote: My friend is considering an older one--- before the current re-design. 2010-2015. They are powered by a 3.7 liter V6. I haven't heard much positive, or negative, so I'm hoping that no news is good news.
We have a 2013 (Grand Touring model) that we got about 6 months ago for my wife. I've driven it several times locally and on long road trips. Bought with 50k miles on the clock and in great condition. My impressions: 1. Handling is stellar. You honestly forget you're in a 3-row SUV and start corner-carving like I was in her old Mazda3S....
Ride quality is very good. Firm but comfortable (GT model is on 20" wheels). Very little body lean but soaks up big bumps nicely.
Ergonomics are really good, everything in places that make sense
GT seats are very nice, if not a bit firm for my liking (and I drive a WRX)
Engine has good power and pulls hard. It's quicker than it feels, actually (this one is AWD, but we test-drove FWD and it felt lighter and quicker off the line). Powerband seems consistent througout the range.
Transmission shifts quickly and smoothly, even in manual mode it's pretty much instant.
MPGs are mediocre....I think we got about 20mpg with the family, dog, and a weekend's worth of gear on our last road trip. Beats the 15 we used to get in the Sequoia, but I hear the new Turbo 4 in the new CX9 does much better.
I don't have any long-term impressions, but car seems to be good quality, no rust anywhere at 50k miles other than a bit on exhaust. The engine is widely-used so I have less concern about reliability than I woudl with the new one, which I've heard is having some problems.
Middle row seats slide forward on tracks so back seat access is easy. I'm 6'0 and can sit comfortably with headroom and legroom in any seat in the vehicle. 3rd row folds flat for a good sized cargo area with a pretty big "stuff" compartment under the rear floor.
Headlights with the HID option (GT models, mostly) are downright awesome. Best we've had in any car, by a mile.
Brakes are good (stock pads). I will still do a pad upgrade.
The upgraded Bose stereo works well but sound is no better than any stock stereo I've ever heard in a car, frankly. Not impressed there at all.
The stock tires were pretty worn when we got it at 50k, and we replaced with Firestone Destination something or other, which have been very good as well, so far.
All in all, we both like it a lot. Price was right, has nice features that are functional and useful, but not stupid stuff like power folding seats that are a waste. Wife will pobably have this vehicle for like 10 years since she drive low miles per year, so we wanted something that "fits just right" for her.
That "off lease only" place in FL has a bunch of these for what seems to be good prices.
Thanks for all the input guys! Sounds like a winner.
These caught my eye in my casual search for our next family hauler. Killer for me is that the really low tow rating. Other than that, they seem like a fantastic value.
Leaving this here for future reference. Our 2010 cx-9 Grand Touring is nearing 100k miles now. Bought with 30k miles or so. Has been a great vehicle, still runs and drives great. Get the GT if you can because the HID headlights are worth it IMO.
We have had to do 3 things to it. Only mechanical issue is we did both rear wheel bearings recently. I tow a golf cart trailer with it now and then and regularly have 7 people in it with assorted items in a cargo carrier on top. I replaced a brake light switch this week that had stopped working. 5 minutes no tools fix. A year or so ago the hvac would come on full blast when we turned the car off. Couple new relays off amazon fixed that. Otherwise plenty of power, great 6 speed trans (change the fluid every year). Jcamper
I actually can't remember whether the rental was a CX-7 or a CX-9, and it's a problem easily noticed on a test drive if thinking of it, but it was the first car I drove with an A-pillar vast and forward enough that I lost not a pedestrian, but an entire Jeep from view. The situation wasn't even a near miss, but it was alarming how bad the visibility was.
My wife loves her 2012. She test drove the new pilot and explorer first, but we found hers at the local used car mega store for roughly half the price of the new suvs.
Gas mileage is terrible. Mid teens in town, 20-21mpg Highway. That’s really it’s only flaw in my opinion.
It drives and rides like a Mazda, the v6 is a strong engine, the transmission has good logic and responsiveness, it’s comfortable. and there’s a ton of room inside while being manageably sized outside. If she decides to replace it, the only cars on her list are the new Subaru Ascent or a new CX9.
regarding the 3rd row access... ours is almost always folded down for cargo space, but it’s easy enough to get back there. Our kids are two and a month from being born so maybe my opinion on a second row bench vs captain chairs will change
I swear not a weekend goes by that my teenage son doesn't ask me to go test drive a new CX-9. He's terrified of the prospect that his dad will buy a Sienna to replace the MPV.
1988RedT2 said:I swear not a weekend goes by that my teenage son doesn't ask me to go test drive a new CX-9. He's terrified of the prospect that his dad will buy a Sienna to replace the MPV.
He's not wrong. I loved our CX-5. I went to the Mazda dealership with my checkbook when the CX-9 landed. Just took delivery of a new Sienna.
If you need 3 rows, nothing fits like a van. The rear seats on the Mazda are not practical for consistent 3rd row service, just like every other 3 row SUV.
If you're fine with kids and dogs clamboring over that pretty orange leather and no remaining storage space for the additional occupants, it's fine. Better than fine. It's the best-looking and driving 3-row SUV in the segment in my opinion.
We bought our CX-9 (Tourning model) in August 2011. Currently it has 75k miles on it. City mileage is not great (low teens, I don't even really bother tracking it)...we have taken it on about 10 trips to Disney (from New Orleans) and routinely get 24-25mpg...that's driving at ~72mph, 3 people in the car (me, my wife and teenage daughter), enough luggage for 10 people for a month (meaning, they don't travel light), and nothing on the roof rack or towed.
Mechanically, aside from regular stuff like oil changes, tires, and wiper blades, the only issues so far have been:
* replace front brake pads at 70k (still had life left, but they were "getting there")
* replace both front power window motors (fairly easy DIY job, there is a GREAT video on youtube showing the steps)
* front passenger Takata air bag replacement (thanks Takata)
* replaced both front headlight bulbs (currently the right-front inner marker light is out...I'm not sure what you even call that because it's not a DRL)
For the last year, I've been getting intermittant check-engine light...I can't remember the code, but it has to do with fuel tank pressure. I replaced the cap with a genuine Mazda part, but it still comes and goes. If the thing would stay on for a month straight, I would bring it to Mazda to get it looked at, but it goes off on it's own, and even when it's on, doesn't seem to affect how it runs, mileage, etc.
We love it...it's easy to drive, I love the backup camera (which was optional on this year CX-9), handles great but doesn't beat you up, stops on a dime...it will be handed to our daughter when it comes time for her to drive.
One last thing...I want to preemptively change the fuel pump (because we all know, when they go, there is usually no warning)... I plan on joining some Mazda forums to ask around about the fp reliability in these, but if anyone here has any experience with the fp on these, please let me know. Thanks!
Well, I finally got around to driving the 2018 Mazda CX-9 Touring today while I got the Takata airbag replaced on my MPV. Drives very nicely. I liked the steering and brakes. Engine was a little coarse, but it was really quite torquey. When you asked it to move out, it let out a somewhat unexpected growl. As with most cars today, not nearly enough of the door is glass, so visibility is quite restricted compared to older vehicles like the MPV, or say, a 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo wagon, which I'm sure was the absolute pinnacle of outward visibility in a vehicle. The center console is big and tall, but I don't get that "down in a bathtub" feeling I got with the previous generation. Doesn't really feel big enough in the third row/cargo area, but the front seat is spacious and headroom is excellent. All in all, a very strong contender for my next vehicle.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the CX-9 has the lowest tow rating of its class (3500 pounds). So if towing is important, look elsewhere.
Yes, but it has the same tow rating as my MPV. I have owned the MPV for a little over 12 years, and in that time I have towed with it exactly never. That's what the old C30 one ton truck is for.
fanfoy said:One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the CX-9 has the lowest tow rating of its class (3500 pounds). So if towing is important, look elsewhere.
Uh, what class is that?
Honda Pilot: 1500 pounds
Acura MDX: 3500 pounds
Toyota Highlander: 1500 pounds unless you buy the top-of-the-line option package where it goes to 5000
Lexus RX350: 3500 pounds
Sounds middle of the road to me.
Last week my wife’s 2010 CX-9 with 104k miles on it broke the timing chain and became a big shiny paperweight. Bummer. Well maintained, no warning.
Jcamper
Wow, that's disappointing! What are you going to do? Replace engine or part out/junk?
In reply to dj06482 :
I don’t know what I will do with it. It is a very nice, clean, drove perfect high optioned grand touring model. Even had done yearly trans fluid changes. I have replaced it so either way it will go down the road. Book time 13 hours to remove engine, not super excited about throwing a bunch of time at it. Jcamper
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