MAZDA CX-9 - On Cloud Nine

Fans of big SUVs will find bliss in Mazda’s largest and most powerful model

America is commonly called the Land of the Free. But ask any Asian who’s visited the US, and they’re likely to describe the experience as holidaying in the Land of the Large. Because compared to the rest of the world, almost everything in America is bigger.

Take the portions served in restaurants, for instance. Eateries such as The Cheesecake Factory have servings so huge that even American diners have trouble finishing their orders. Walk into a 7-Eleven there, and you’ll discover that the size of the largest Big Gulp is 64 ounces (1.9 liters). It makes the Big Gulps here seem more like “Little Sips”, for the biggest size available in local 7-Eleven stores is only 44 ounces (1.3 liters).

MAZDA CX-9 front

Not surprisingly, when it comes to cars, many American motorists love driving super-sized SUVs (sports utility vehicles). Only US carmakers could come up with behemoths such as the Hummer, Chevrolet Suburban, and Cadillac Escalade. After all, with their broad roads and generously sized car parks, drivers there don’t have a problem parking these monsters.

But owing to space constraints in Singapore, most local motorists aren’t especially keen to drive enormous SUVs.

Low-down: That sharply tapered roof means this area is only comfy for passengers below 1.7m in height

For the few who do want to “live large”, though, the CX-9 could be what they seek. For starters, the CX-9 simply dwarfs the other seven-seat SUVs sold here. At 5106mm, it’s longer than the Kia Sorento (4685mm) and brick-like Volvo XC90 (4807mm). In fact, the CX-9 is even lengthier than the Audi Q7 (5089mm). This Mazda is so large, even its 20-inch tires look rather small under those lorry like wheel arches.

The CX-9’s colossal exterior translates into an equally expansive interior. The cockpit is well-suited to tall passengers as there’s plenty of headroom, and the wide seats easily accommodate drivers with wide waistlines. The dashboard’s look and layout are similar to that of the CX-5 (the CX-9’s smaller sibling), and definitely more ergonomic compared to the discontinued CX-7 (see sidebar).

Also user-friendly is the CX-9’s infotainment system, which offers TomTom-powered navigation and Bluetooth telephony functions. But the real treat here is the Bose audio, which really makes your favorite tunes sound great. Not so great, however, is the lack of a Rear Vehicle Monitoring (RVM) system to help you detect other cars within the vehicle’s blind spots. If this safety feature is incorporated in the less expensive CX-5, it should be standard on the CX-9, too. Also missing is an electrical folding function for the wing mirrors – a convenience present even in bread-and-butter cars.

Sporty six: This 6-speed automatic is seamless, and the –/+ points for the manual override are in the “correct” positions

The space in the second row is rather odd. While the flat floor means three or possibly even four passengers can be seated abreast, the seats themselves actually aren’t that comfortable. This is because the bench has been set very low (which results in an awkward sitting position) in order to “increase” available headroom, while the storage points for passengers’ knick-knacks seem miserly in light of the ample cabin room.

Access to the rearmost pair of seats is fairly simple, while the legroom right in the back is decent. The reduced headroom caused by the tapered roofline, on the other hand, means this area is more practical for children rather than adults.

MAZDA CX-9 side

Befitting the CX-9’s gargantuan proportions is its sizeable 3.7-litre V6 engine, which churns out 274bhp and, more crucially, 367Nm of torque. Although the latter figure only peaks at 4250rpm, the naturally aspirated motors wonderful responsiveness delivers plenty of shove, even from a standstill.

This SUV’s performance is admirable even with a full complement of passengers on board. It pulls away easily, with the power plant’s vocals providing a throaty soundtrack to the proceedings. It also rides smoothly despite the aforementioned 20-inch tyres, and cruises quietly in spite of its mass. The CX-9, however, is in need of stronger brakes. It lacks stopping power even with just the driver on board, thus requiring you to break even earlier when the vehicle is fully loaded with people.

These drawbacks, however, are unlikely to deter a committed big-SUV enthusiast who’s bent on living large and driving the American (automobile) dream, even if it is with a marque that hails from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Opposing numbers: Pay attention to the fuel gauge needle, for it falls as quickly as the revs climb

Unlucky seven

Launched in 2007, the CX-7 was Mazda’s third foray into the SUV market after the Navajo (1990s) and Tribute (early 2000s). When the CX-7 made its Singapore debut, local buyers were drawn to its handsome design, all-wheel drive and powerful turbocharged 2.3-litre engine.

But globally, the CX-7 did not enjoy much success, especially when compared to the smaller (and smarter) CX-5 and the larger CX-9. An update in 2010, which saw the introduction of a non-turbo variant with a 2.5-litre motor, did little to improve the CX-7’s prospects, and Mazda finally decided to cease production of this model in 2012

MAZDA CX-9 back

Specifications