2021 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD: Pushing The Flagship Crossover Into Luxury Range

Highlight: A new Carbon trim, which has been exclusively outfitted with red leather seats, has been added to the CX-9.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $48,200 (Base Sport Model: $35,060)

Seating Capacity: 6 or 7

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; hill launch assist; traction control system; stability control; a blind spot monitor system; a rear traffic cross alert system with the rearview camera; a smart city brake support system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and spare tire.

Standard Equipment On Sport (Base Model): 18-inch wheels; a 6-speed automatic transmission; a three zone a/c system; a remote keyless entry system; a push button ignition starter automatic off headlights; second row center armrest; a manually operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; cloth seats; manually operated front seats; a leather wrapped steering wheel; a 10-inch infotainment screen; and cargo area under floor storage

Standard Equipment (Signature Model): includes Grand Touring features; all-wheel drive; rear exterior badging; LED grille accent lighting; Nappa leather seats; a Rosewood interior trim; a hand-stitched leather wrapped steering wheel; and LED interior accents 

Optional Features On Test Vehicle:  a machine gray exterior paint
  
Other Trim Levels:

Touring

Carbon Edition

Grand Touring

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker AM/FM/HD radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes

USB Connectivity: Yes

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder/250-hp (at 93 Octane) or 227-hp (87 Octane)

Recommended Fuel: Regular or Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 22-city/28-hwy 

What’s New:  The brand’s flagship crossover is a carryover for the 2021 model year. A new Carbon trim joins the line up and all of the CX-9s are now outfitted with a larger 10-inch infotainment screen. 

Why: The stylish CX-9, with the standard 10-inch infotainment screen, is the brand’s flagship three-row crossover. With the exception of the top of the line Signature trim, the CX-9 is available in a front wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration. The three-row vehicle is available in a variety of driving modes. The CX-9 seemingly is more tuned to for performance like an Infiniti. 

The CX-9 is a great road trip vehicle. The standard 4-cylinder engine, which pours out 227-horsepower, when using regular fuel and 255-horsepower, when using premium, is more than adequate for this three-row vehicle. The Japanese brand’s signature Sky-Active engine allows one to be fluid, floating between two types of fuel, depending upon one’s desired goal, as it relates to fuel-efficiency and horsepower.

For the 2021 model year, a new CX-9 Carbon trim joins the lineup. The vehicle, which is slotted above the Touring package, is outfitted with 20-inch wheels, a gloss black front grille, second-row captain chairs with a center floor pass through, red leather seats and black interior trimming appropriately placed throughout the vehicle. The Carbon trim adds splice of sportiness to a vehicle that is offering a more sculpted upscale offering.

However, the top of the line CX-9 Signature we reviewed continues to elevate the brand and the model with offering such features as Nappa leather and captain chairs in the second row with a center floor pass through. The interior styling in the Signature trim with the addition of the larger 10-inch infotainment and Rosewood trim is more aligned with what one would expect from a luxury vehicle. 

Mazda continues to elevate the brand to near luxury level with more features one would expect from a full line luxury brand. Some of those features include ventilated front seats, a frameless rearview mirror, power folding exterior mirrors, LED interior lighting and a 360-degree camera.

Lastly, Mazda has incorporated a number of driver assist features in the CX-9, pushing it closer in the lane of becoming a self-driving vehicle.

But: We continue to have a few gripes about Mazda’s fullsize crossover. It is really a tight squeeze to slip into the third row. Adding, a panoramic roof or a dual roof would further accentuate the CX-9 sexy exterior design, pushing the vehicle closer toward being a near luxury brand.

And, its too bad one has to use premium fuel in order to achieve more horsepower in the CX-9. Mazda should design a 4-cylinder that is capable of pouring out 250-horsepower without the added expense of premium fuel.

Moreover, Mazda’s new CX-9 Signature trim is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration. The brand’s flagship crossover could squeak out better gas mileage, at a lower price point, if a front wheel drive configuration was available.

Lastly, Mazda’s i-drive-type rotary system continues to require too many unnecessary steps just to change or save radio stations. Something that should be simple has turned into a more complicated task.

Verdict: Mazda has made great strides to push the brand and the CX-9 closer to the luxury level. It seems to be teetering between a near luxury to a luxury vehicle. We wish they would add a 6-cylinder or a more power packed 4-cylinder turbo that spews out over 300-horsepower.

Unlike some of the three-row crossovers in the segment, Mazda's design theme still targets a more youthful demographics, while offering a more engaging driving experience. Mazda’s CX-9 seems to be headed down that road, especially with the higher level Signature trim to being in the luxury lane.

So, for buyers seeking to differentiate themselves from today’s mainstream three- row crossovers being offered by Chevy, Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota, the CX-9 is worth checking out, before finalizing a car deal.

Competition:  Buick Enclave; Chevy Traverse; Ford Explorer; Hyundai Palisade; Kia Telluride; Nissan Pathfinder; Toyota Highlander and VW Atlas