On the Road
Even with its 20-inch wheels, our Grand Touring rode reasonably comfortably, but it's a bit firmer than some. With that firmness comes pretty entertaining handling, with precise steering and a good feel to the wheel. While I'd characterize the CX-9 as one of the sportier three-row crossovers out there, don't get the impression that it's a sport wagon. It's large, and opportunities to drive it in a spirited fashion seldom present themselves.
The CX-9's acceleration truly surprises, especially in a Grand Touring weighed down with all-wheel drive and lots of features. Teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission, the 3.7-liter V-6 has plenty of power: 273 horsepower and, perhaps more important, 270 pounds-feet of torque, which gives it an urgent launch from a standing start.
On slick surfaces, I noticed some initial front-wheel slip before the traction control kicked in and the rear wheels played their part. Some all-wheel-drive systems are more seamless. In the practical sense, this quirk is of no consequence to most drivers.
See also:
Storage Compartments
WARNING:
Keep storage boxes closed when
driving:
Driving with the storage boxes open
is dangerous. To reduce the
possibility of injury in an accident or
a sudden stop, keep the storage
boxes cl ...
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the possibility of severe injury during accidents
and sudden
stops. Mazda recommends that the driver and passenger always wear seat belts.
All of the seat belt retracto ...
Vehicle Overview
Introduced for the 2007 model year, the CX-9 crossover has a number of
standard safety features and can seat up to seven people in its three rows of
seats. It's powered by a standard 3.7-liter V-6 ...


