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by Christopher Jackson | 9/7/2007 | Vehicle Reviews
Now here's an interesting statistic that you might not see on the news any time soon: Mazda is now the second company to replace its minivan with a three-row "crossover vehicle." The all-new CX-9 isn't a lame attempt to butch up a minivan, a transgression that Pontiac, Chevrolet and Mazda have all been guilty of in the past.
It's a mid-sized, car-based crossover that will comfortably seat seven, offering the people and cargo capacity of a minivan to buyers who need it but just can't stomach the thought of actually buying one.
So can a vehicle that's effectively a tall station wagon replace a minivan? Depends on the customer. Developed with the CX-7, which was introduced late last year, the CX-9 is a separate seven-passenger model that rides a chassis engineered specifically for three-row seating. Both vehicles were designed specifically for the U.S. market, and both are superficially related to the Ford Edge crossover. The CX-9 offers a roomy interior, versatile cargo ability and, most importantly, that intangible fun-to-drive spirit that Mazda has done such a thorough job of imparting into its products. And, as noted above, it steps into the product lineup to fill the void left by Mazda's minivan, the MPV, which faded away in 2006.
The CX-9 bears a strong resemblance to the curvy, zoomy CX-7; the difference is in the details, and that's not a bad thing because both of them are great-looking vehicles. Mazda says the CX-9 is "emotional," and that's a good way to describe Mazda's design DNA. The CX-9 has a curvy body and a forward-thrust look courtesy of the sloping rear roof. There's a kick-up in the rear flank, less pronounced than that of the CX-7. The CX-9 has more intricate headlight and taillight details. The "hip" lines are softer than those of the CX-7, but the silhouette and grille shape are the same. There's a strong hood with a raised center. Trapezoidal quad exhaust pipes are a unique touch. Most of the CX-9's you'll see will be painted in dark colors. The design has been penned with nighttime cruising under city lights in mind, and the neon looks good flowing across the CX-9's lines.
The CX-9's dash is handsome; like the Subaru B9 Tribeca, this car looks like it comes from a higher price bracket than it actually does. Handsome arches of wood form curved vertical lines that intersect with the horizontal elements of the console and doors. Where the CX-7 is sporty and racy, the CX-9 offers a more understated luxury. Indirect blue lighting is available. The competition includes the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Saturn Outlook (which, incidentally, is a de facto replacement for Saturn's minvan). The CX-9's long wheelbase provides an advantage over the Pilot and Highlander in that the third-row seats are large enough for adults. The rear seats fold flat with a single, simple motion, opening up a 100.7 cubic foot cargo area.
Under the hood, the CX-9 has a3.5 liter V6 making 263horsepower. The 3.5 V6 is new to the Ford/Mazda family, and does duty in other vehicles across the line, including the new Ford Edge. On the CX-9, electronic throttle control sets it apart from its Blue Oval cousings, and adds the proper dose of "zoom-zoom," (because you just knew we couldn't do a Mazda review without saying it once). This variable valve timing-equipped engine is a happy revver, and keeps the CX-9 from being just another dull suburban do-all. All-aluminum construction includes the block, heads, valve cover, windage tray and oil pan. The CX-9 has a six-speed automatic transmission, but it's not the same gearbox that the six-speed Edge uses. The CX-9 can tow up to 3500 pounds when properly equipped. Front-wheel drive is standard; the available all-wheel drive uses active rear torque splitting, rather than a power-on-demand torque-shift program. This is a long-legged vehicle well suited to driving cross-country.
It may have the heart of a sports sedan, but the CX-9 is equally well suite to the task of eating up miles on the interstate. The front suspension's MacPherson strut setup is shared with the CX-7. At the rear, the CX-9's four-link suspension is adapted from the Mazda6's three-link independent rear. On the road, the CX-9 has a low center of gravity that contributes to confident, poised handling. It's balanced well, and predictable in the turns. There's none of the tippy feeling of a traditional SUV; the CX-9 drives smaller than it is. We hate to name names, but this is like a Ford Freestyle done correctly. The suspension is firm enough to please the sports car drivers who comprise much of Mazda's customer base, but it won't rattle your teeth. The rack and pinion steering is responsive.
Built with families in mind, the CX-9 comes with a handsome array of standard active and passive safety features. Our test drive took place the day after an ice storm, so we got to experience the standard anti-lock brakes and dynamic stability control (DSC). Roll Stability Control (RSC) also helped to make the drive more confident. RSC measure's the vehicle's tilt and uses the brakes and throttle-reduction to control it.
Though it's more than just a clone of its smaller sibling, the CX-9 does a great job of translating the CX-7's sporty-SUV attitude into a larger package. It can't quite match the cargo-hauling skills of a minivan, but the seven-passenger seating and easy-folding seats do present a capable, great-handling alternative. CX-9 pricing starts at $29,035 for the front-wheel drive Sport model and goes up to $33,875 for the all-wheel drive Grand Touring version.
All specs are for the 2007 Mazda CX-9.
Length: 199.8 in.
Width: 76.2 in.
Height: 68/0 in.
Wheelbase: 113.2 in.
Curb weight: 4560 lb.
Cargo space: 17.2 cu.ft. (seats up); 100.7 cu.ft (all seats folded)
Base price: $29.035
Engine: 3.5 liter DOHC 24-valve V6
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 263 @ 6250
Torque: 249 @ 4500
Fuel capacity: 20.1 gal.
Est. mileage: 18/24
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