3rd Place: 2013 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD, Peter Bleakney
The Mazda CX-9 has been with us since 2007, but hopping into the refreshed 2013 model reminded me how good this CUV is. Oh sure, she’s had a few facelifts, but the old girl is aging well.
The suede-trimmed seats in this GT-spec model are firm and supportive, the driving position good and the low beltline and panoramic front windshield make for excellent forward visibility.
In fact, there’s not a bad seat in the house. The third row shared top score with the Pathfinder and Acadia, and the second row buckets are comfy too, although those with longer legs (Yarkony i.e.) will find the seat cushions too low.
The Mazda’s dash may be plain compared to some flashier newcomers, but it shows an elegant simplicity and high build quality. The vertical swaths of wood trim on the console and doors are a nice touch. Not so good is the infotainment system – small buttons and not particularly intuitive.
Then you hit the road. This big crossover shows a masterful blend of ride compliance and body control – it drives much “smaller” than it looks. Some found the steering too light, but in its defense the helm is completely accurate and linear. The CX-9 flows down the road with poise and confidence – a trait we’ve come to expect from Mazda.
What we don’t expect is poor fuel economy. Here is where the CX-9 shows its age. This vehicle is pre-SkyActiv so it ain’t getting all the weight-saving measures and groovy engine technologies. Soldiering away under the hood is an old Ford-sourced 3.7L V6 that doesn’t offer much grunt and puts the CX-9 down with the Acadia for observed fuel economy. This is just ahead of the very swift turbocharged Flex that probably would have done better had not the assemblage of Autos.ca testers been so enamoured with its happy pedal.
Michael Bettencourt called the Mazda “the well-preserved but aging soccer mom of the group.” In the end, the fine-driving CX-9’s comparative lack of features, high price and poor fuel economy relegated it to third spot.
Pricing: 2013 Mazda CX-9 GT AWD
Base price: $33,995
Base price (GT AWD): $44,750
Optional equipment: Navigation System (with powered liftgate) $2500
A/C tax: $100
Destination charge: $1895
Price as tested: $49,245
