2019 Mazda CX-9 Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos (2024)

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

February 26, 2019

Likes

• Gorgeous sheetmetal
• Near-luxury interior
• Widely available safety tech
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, finally

Dislikes

• No touchscreen functionality
• Not as much space as competitors
• Limited options
• No hybrid alternative

Buying tip

Though the Signature is attractive with all the bells and whistles, the CX-9 Touring with all-wheel drive and the Premium package offers many of the same features for a significant discount.

features & specs

Where others are purely functional, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 is a three-row crossover SUV that delivers heavily on style. It’s one of the best-looking family crossovers on the market, and that includes offerings from luxury brands. With some long-needed additions in interior features and creature comforts, we give it 6.2 out of 10 overall. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

For 2019, Mazda has given the CX-9 more desirable tech to keep it fresh, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at long last on Touring and above, 3 years of SiriusXM satellite radio, weather, and traffic, and new optional displays, power features, and trim pieces.

The 2019 CX-9 is offered in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature trims, and front-wheel drive is standard on all models while all-wheel drive is an option on each trim for $1,800. Each CX-9 gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder as standard, making 250 horsepower on premium fuel, good enough to match the V-6 power delivery of many competitors. A 6-speed automatic is the only transmission option and feels dated compared to the relatively modern powerplant.

A hallmark of any modern Mazda, the CX-9 is sprightly and engaging to drive, with light-but-direct steering and handling moves that would make some sedans blush. This large crossover is geared more for comfort than many other Mazdas though, so expect slightly less handling prowess than some smaller models.

The 2019 CX-9 also delivers on safety, with five stars from the federal government and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with special consideration for its optional active safety technology. We wish it would come standard, but at least it’s available on all trims for as little as an additional $1,290.

Unfortunately, forced induction doesn’t equal stellar fuel economy in this case, as the CX-9 manages only 23 or 24 mpg in combined daily driving.

The CX-9 is exceptionally handsome, especially for a crossover, so if style and features are paramount but badge is of little importance, this Mazda represents an appealing near-luxury alternative to many more expensive options.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Styling

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 proves that crossover SUVs don’t have to sacrifice style in the name of practicality. With some of sleekest sheet metal on any SUV not wearing a luxury badge, it’s easily the best-looking in the segment, worthy of an 8 out of 10 rating for style inside and out. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

As many SUVs get more angular, the CX-9 makes do with hardly any straight lines, proving that curvy can still easily be beautiful. A sleek front end, sporty silhouette, and tapered rear coupled with big wheel arches and handsome LED running lights make for a luxury-looking SUV at a serious discount that looks good in almost any color, save for white.

A low-slung dashboard and stick-up infotainment screen keep the interior design relatively simple, while clever touches like the vent trim continuing onto the door panels give this mainstream crossover an upmarket feel. The Signature trim adds fine leather and real wood accents, but the base-level materials still feel a cut above.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Performance

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is a Mazda at heart, meaning handling performance is paramount. While the single powertrain option is solid, it could do with a better transmission and a more efficient hybrid model, warranting 6 out of 10 in this category. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

All CX-9 models get a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 250 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, providing power similar to the V-6 versions of many of its competitors. With regular fuel, the power figure drops to 227 hp, so be sure to put in premium for best results.

Front-wheel drive is standard across the range and all-wheel drive is optional, but the CX-9 only offers a 6-speed automatic transmission that frankly feels dated and somewhat sluggish. It also extracts a modest fuel economy penalty compared to rivals.

Thankfully, this Mazda delivers in the same area all of its stablemates do: handling. The CX-9 has moves like a much smaller SUV, and though the steering is somewhat light, turn-in is precise and grip is excellent, especially with all-wheel-drive. Though not as comfortable as some others in its class, the CX-9 can be plenty plush on smaller wheels, namely the 18-inchers that come standard.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Comfort & Quality

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is billed as a three-row family crossover but is best used with the third row stowed away. For quality, it gets a 7 out of 10 on our scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Though most trims get power-adjustable seats as standard, the CX-9’s thrones could use some more cushioning, as most are relatively firm even on top-tier trims. Second-row passengers fare better, with more legroom than the Honda Pilot and manual recline, though the benches are relatively flat as well. The CX-9’s third row is clearly an afterthought and should be treated as such, only used in a pinch to fit kids, as it doesn’t have quite enough space for adults.

Behind the third row, the CX-9 manages 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space, but most of that is below the steeply-raked window line, so taller items won’t fit easily. That figure expands to 38.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and we recommend keeping it that way most of the time.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Safety

A five-star overall rating in the federal government’s crash tests and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award are strong indicators of the 2019 Mazda CX-9’s safety prowess, and while active safety tech is not standard, it is optional on every trim. This warrants a rating of 7 out of 10 for safety. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

The 2019 CX-9 gets five stars overall from the NHTSA, but only four stars in both the driver and passenger side frontal crash and rollover categories. The IIHS saw fit to award it a Top Safety Pick award for 2019, however, with the “+” designation missed because of “Acceptable” headlights, a common problem for crossover SUVs this year. Front crash prevention technology is rated as “Superior,” but only comes with an optional $1,290 package on the base Sport trim, though it is included on higher levels. This suite of tech includes blind-spot monitors, active lane control, lane-departure warnings, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with forward-collision warnings, and automatic high beam headlights.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Features

Three-row crossovers are popular but can get very expensive, very fast. Fortunately, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 offers the best value at the middle of the range, so skip the enticing Signature trim to save a pretty penny.

It’s a good value, but the 2019 CX-9 is missing some features we think should be standard, and its infotainment system gives us fits. We give it a 5 for features. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

Available in four trims – Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature – there are no shortage of CX-9 variants to choose from, all with differing levels of luxury and comfort features. The Sport model comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, three rows of seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 7.0-inch infotainment screen as standard, and offers power seats and the active safety feature suite for an additional $1,290.

Stepping up to the Touring trim adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for 2019, as well as leather, an additional 1 inch of infotainment screen, a power liftgate, and power-adjustable front-seats as standard. That combination is easily the best value in our book at just $36,525 for the front-wheel-drive model.

The Grand Touring trim adds 20-inch wheels, active safety features, a dual-pane sunroof, parking sensors, a head-up display, heated front and second row seats, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive headlights.

Signature trim CX-9s are top-of-the-line, with Nappa leather hides, Bose audio, rosewood trim, LED headlights, and interior accent lighting.

Though the infotainment system is updated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it can still be clunky to use with the clickable dial the only interface. Entering navigation destinations manually can be a patience-testing affair.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Fuel Economy

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 relies on its turbocharger for middling fuel economy, but with an outdated transmission and no hybrid, it’s not quite enough. That warrants a 4 out of 10 on our scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

According to the EPA, front-wheel-drive CX-9s manage 22 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg while all-wheel-drive models drop to 20/26/23 mpg. Premium fuel is required for maximum power output, but if you can live with a drop in performance, regular fuel can be used instead.