As a society, Americans are on the constant prowl for more. When we go car shopping, we want more passenger room, more cargo space, more power, more fun, more safety, more amenities, more fuel economy ... more everything.
The 2008 Mazda CX-9 epitomizes more. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's everything you could possibly want in a crossover and, well, more.
2008 Mazda CX-9
Favorite features:
- Sporty ride and handling
- Comfortable seats, driving position
- Great flexibility for hauling passengers, cargo
Needs improvement:
- Blind Spot Monitoring available across the lineup
Since the CX-9 was new on the scene for 2007, you won't see drastic changes to the body style or interior design. What you will see is, forgive the repetition, more engine power and a new option that adds more safety to the vehicle.
During a recent media preview, my driving partner and I had the chance to take out a basic Sport model and a well-optioned Grand Touring model. While some of the features are different, the overall essence of the vehicle remains the same. Thankfully, the CX-9 doesn't get lost in options, and as a buyer, you don't need to add $10K in extras to get what you want. The base Sport model starts at $30,035, and you get a great vehicle at $30,035.
The first big change for the 2008 model year is the engine. Mazda upgraded the CX-9's engine from a 3.5-liter V-6 to a 3.7-liter V-6. This adds 10 horsepower and 21 pound-feet of torque, giving the 2008 CX-9 total ratings of 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
Our drive route during the preview included some nice twists and turns as well as some great highway driving. I quickly discovered that an extra 10 horsepower goes a long way, and I often found myself sliding toward 80 mph without even realizing it. The ride was much more reminiscent of a sports car than a crossover.
Then again, that fits with what Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda, said during the preview: "Everything we build has to have a little of Miata in it."
Luckily, I didn't get too wrapped up in the Zoom-Zoom, Miatalike part of the CX-9, and every time my speed edged upwards, I brought it back down. There were a couple of journalists who weren't so lucky. They did get snagged by the cops at 80 mph.
Keep in mind, we're talking about a seven-passenger vehicle, here. So, this brings us to the more passenger room. My driving partner was about 6-feet, 2-inches, and he spent some quality time in the third-row seat. Not only was he able to climb back there rather easily, but he didn't look squashed when the second-row seat popped back into place. I'm not sure he'd want to stay there for a multiple-hour trip, but for shorter trips, he didn't seem to mind. Additionally, the second-row seat was easy to release, both while standing outside and sitting in the third row.
The interesting thing about the CX-9 is that even with all this passenger room, you still have some decent stowage space. Cargo volume behind the third-row is 17.2 cubic-feet. Consider that the trunks in most sedans offer about 12 cubic-feet of cargo volume. Total cargo volume in the CX-9 is 100.7 cubic-feet.
While this will allow you to haul a lot of stuff, if you're interested in the CX-9, you're probably looking to haul people. So, naturally, the more safety, the better. And the CX-9 has it. Standard safety features on the CX-9 include: traction control, stability control, roll stability control, dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags from the first row through the third, side-impact door beams, front and rear crumple zones and a tire pressure monitoring system. A rear camera is available across the lineup either as a dealer installed accessory or as a part of a package option.
The second big change for 2008 adds more safety by introducing the optional Blind Spot Monitoring system. The system is intended to be helpful but non-intrusive. A small icon displays on the side mirrors if there is a car in your blind spot, and an audible warning will sound only if there is a vehicle in the blind spot and your turn signal is engaged. The great thing is that this isn't a pricey option and will only cost $200. The downside is that it is only available on the Grand Touring model.
But there are plenty of amenities that are standard at the Sport model. For instance, the standard six-speed sport automatic transmission is well mated to the engine in order to deliver excellent acceleration. (Note above referenced speeding ticket.) Other standard amenities include: three-zone, climate-control air conditioning; tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; audio controls on the steering wheel; illuminated glove box; and one-touch open/close front windows.
I liked the cloth seating surfaces that come with the base Sport model. They were attractive, comfortable and soft to touch. Leather seats come standard starting with the Touring model, and they were just as attractive, comfortable and soft. I thought the seats were well bolstered and the right size for a multitude of drivers.
From driver and passenger comfort to design to the sheer driving fun, I couldn't think of a single category that the CX-9 wouldn't score a perfect 10 in. Which brings us to fuel economy. With EPA estimates rating the front-wheel drive model at 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, you think that this is where the CX-9 falls down, that the fuel economy doesn't seem like "more." However, consider this: The 2008 Saturn Vue that I reviewed yesterday is smaller, seats fewer people and has less horsepower, yet the fuel economy is the same.
Additionally, if you look at the 2007 CX-9 using the 2008 EPA guidelines, you'll see that the fuel estimates are exactly the same. More horsepower without a decrease in miles per gallon kind of sounds like more fuel economy to me.
More, more, more, more, more. Need I say more?
