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:
Revised Six-Speed Manual Transmission
This is particularly true when this engine is combined with the revised
six-speed manual transmission. Its optimised synchronisation allows shifting
gears even more quickly and smoothly than befor ...
Accessory Sockets
The ignition switch must be in the ACC
or ON position
Only use genuine Mazda accessories or
the equivalent requiring no greater than
120 W (DC 12 V, 10 A).
Front (Type A)
Front (Type B)
R ...
Ignition Switch
Auxiliary key (with advanced key)
NOTE:
When starting the engine using the advanced
key, refer to Starting the Engine.
When starting the engine with the
auxiliary key, perform the following
pr ...


