Written by Marco Carvajal
2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD
I am test driving the 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD a large midsize SUV with three rows and seven seats with a very good price range starting around $35K.
Mazda keeps producing beautiful cars at a very good value price, offering tons of standard features and premium details without breaking your budget.
The SUV CX-9 can be purchased as Front Wheels Drive or All Wheel Drive depending on the trim model selected. The top of the line, CX-9 Signature is only available as AWD, ready for any adventure.
The CX-9 is elegant, large with 3 rows, and beautifully designed inside and outside.
Mazda CX-9 History
The Mazda CX-9 is produced at the Ujina 1 plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This SUV is built in Japan but is not sold in Japan’s domestic market as it exceeds the Japanese government’s size regulations and the engine displacement forces a large annual road tax bill. For Japan, Mazda produces a similar but smaller SUV, the Mazda CX-8.
The CX-9 was released during the 2006 New York Auto Show. From its creation until the 2016 model, the CX-9 was built on the Ford CD3 platform shared with the Ford Edge and Ford Fusion, using the same engine, a 3.7L V6. Starting with the 2016 CX-9 model, there has been a remarkable redesign of the Mazda CX-9 and now is no longer based on the Ford lineup.
The elegant CX-9 family SUV is very attractive and it feels premium.
The New 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD
For 2022 here are 6 trim models available, the one I am driving the CX-9 Signature is the top of the line with a base price of around $47K.
The new sleek, modern styling makes the Mazda CX-9 midsize SUV, one of the most attractive SUVs in its class.
Emphasizing modern style and performance over value and practicality, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 is a beautiful and upscale three-row midsize crossover SUV that most families or large groups will love.
The Signature version I am test driving goes further into the luxury SUV field, with a sleek new grille, accent details, and quilted leather seats.
Its new exterior design is eye-catching, marking a milestone for Mazda, with an exceptional full-size SUV that everyone would love to drive.
Inside the CX-9 you get the feeling that everything is top quality and comfort.
A standard 10.25″ very large center display with the latest-generation Mazda Connect infotainment. A new Carbon Edition trim model offers unique styling and premium features to the CX-9 lineup. The new CX-9 includes technology and styling upgrades at a very good value price.
This CX-9 comes with a wonderfully large space, good performance, and handling. Mazda has shown that it can build a spacious and large SUV, with a comfortable and sporty ride.
The new CX-9 is a full-size SUV with three rows and seven seats to bring all the family on board.
The new 2022 enhanced CX-9 received the latest-generation technology features, a more luxurious style, and several premium features without increasing pricing by more than $1,000 compared to the 2021 CX-9 year model.
Performance
The Mazda CX-9 comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on standard gas.
A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels, and all-wheel drive is on all models.
The Mazda CX-9 is considered one of the safest Mazda cars.
This SUV includes a powerful off-road traction assist. The system sends torque to wheels that have traction in slippery conditions. The CX-9 is strong and it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Trim Models and Pricing for the 2022 Mazda CX-9 SUV
The advanced i-Activ All-Wheel Drive and Front Wheel Drive are available in All Models, except the CX-9 Signature which is only available as AWD.
New for 2022 is the addition of the CX-9 Touring Plus model.
Pricing for the CX-9 continues to be low and of great value from 35K all the way to $47K, however, there has been a small increase since the last 2021 model of an approximate $800 depending on the selected trim model. Most other cars in the market increased by more than $2,000 compared to last year’s model, good job for Mazda keeping the price as near as possible to the previous model.
- 2022 Mazda CX-9 Sport, $35,630 Starting MSRP
- 2022 Mazda CX-9 Touring, $37,780 Starting MSRP
- 2022 Mazda CX-9 Touring Plus, $40,860 Starting MSRP
- 2022 Mazda CX-9 Carbon Edition, $43,930 Starting MSRP
- 2022 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring, $44,790 Starting MSRP
- 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature (the one I am driving), $47,560 Starting MSRP
Engine and Performance
The top-of-the-lineup trim level CX-9 Signature offers all of the appealing and driving dynamics with standard i-Activ all-wheel drive. It is fast and powerful.
The Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine equipped on all CX-9 models delivers a robust 320 lb-ft of torque and 250 horsepower on premium gasoline or 310 lb-ft of torque and 227 horsepower on regular gasoline.
This turbocharged engine is paired with a fast and smooth quick-shifting, six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission and has standard G-Vectoring Control Plus.
Mazda’s predictive i-Activ all-wheel drive with off-road traction assist is standard in the CX-9 Signature trim model, and also available on all other CX-9 trim levels.
Exterior Design
Mazda offers in general a very attractive exterior design in several of its models and the CX-9 is not the exception for this amazing design, it looks great.
The new titanium gray metallic finish front grille design creates a very bold design combined with the LED grille accent lighting.
A new 20-inch brilliant silver finish aluminum-alloy wheels and larger dual tailpipes round out the elegant and exciting styling.
Interior Design
The CX-9 Signature interior cabin is adorned with Napa leather and features a larger 10.25-inch center display producing a premium first-class atmosphere on the inside.
The 2nd-row captain’s chairs provide the ultimate comfort, while new patterned aluminum trim accents, with elegant details like the new quilting and piping on seats. The second-row captain’s chairs and the modern center console produce a premium experience.
More interior details like armrest storage compartment, heated seat buttons and cupholders, Napa leather seats, Santos Rosewood interior trim, and unique steering wheel stitching.
Modern technologies like Mazda Connected Services, via the MyMazda App give you more control over the CX-9 functionality, you can remotely start the engine, lock or unlock your doors, access vehicle status reports and other advanced features.
Safety Features
Mazda safety suite I-Activsense safety features are standard in the CX-9, including Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and go function, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Day and Night-time Pedestrian Detection helps detect vehicles and pedestrians in the path. If an impact with an object or person is predicted, the system will warn the driver and, if necessary, apply the brakes to stop the CX-9 and prevent an accident.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go maintains a set speed and minimum following distance from the traffic ahead.
CX-9 Mazda Warranty
Every new Mazda comes with a limited warranty that provides coverage in the unlikely event a repair is needed in the first 3 to 5 years or 36,000 to 60,000 miles, of ownership. Mazda also provides Roadside Assistance for specific warranties. There is also a Breaks warranty and High-Performance Replacement Battery Warranty
- 3-year/36,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty
- 3-year/36,000-mile1 24/7 Roadside Assistance Program
Highlights of the Mazda CX-9 SUV
- 26 mpg highway
- 250 horsepower
- 320 pound-feet of torque
- 2.5 Dynamic Pressure Turbo engine
- I-ACTIV AWD all-wheel-drive system with Off-road Traction Assist
- Six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic transmission
- 3 rows of seating for up to 6 passengers
- 20″ aluminum-alloy wheels with Brilliant Silver finish
- LED overhead accent lighting
- Napa leather seating and trim
- 2nd-row captain’s chairs with center console
- Genuine aluminum trim with a unique design
- Genuine Santos Rosewood inlays
- 10.25″ large center display
- Mazda Connect infotainment
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go
If you want to buy a large 3 rows SUV with great cargo capacity then the Mazda is a great choice. The CX-9 is responsive and powerful. It includes excellent drivability, attractive design, and an interior that exceeds expectations.
Mazda’s designers and engineers worked hard to make the redesigned CX-9 a great SUV with design, refinement and driving performance.
Competitors include the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
Excellent drivability, attractive design, and an interior that exceeds expectations make the 2022 Mazda CX-9 one the best SUVs in its segment.
