2020 Mazda CX-9: First impression

Mazda CX-9 has received another quick update, this time it’s for the 2020 model year. Last time the company decided to update its features column with a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats and Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay support in 2018. This time around, the highlighting part of the update is the engine. Though there are some subtle modifications on the outside and inside too.

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 is available in two variants, 2.5 SkyActiv-G Turbo 2WD and 2.5 SkyActiv-G Turbo AWD with identical specifications. The difference between the two models is of the drive system. Both the models come with 5-year/100,000 km free maintenance and 5-year/100,000 km warranty.

In this “first impression” article we’ll try to cover all the aspects giving you a better idea of the new mid-size SUV that’s loved and preferred by customers not only Malaysia but around the globe.

How about the exterior?

While there is not much to talk about here, the few things that Mazda has altered as far as exterior styling is concerned are the badge and font designs. They are now in-line with the brand’s latest corporate identity.

Next are the grey metallic finished aluminium alloy wheels that are new. Other than that nothing has been changed. The wheels measure 20 inches as before. There is a traditional Mazda grille at the front that is flanked by the LED projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Additionally, there are LED front fog lamps, bulb-type rear fog lamps and LED taillights. The tailgate and the sunroof are both powered as before.

What’s new inside the cabin?

Inside the cabin, you’d find a lot of familiarities other than the bigger infotainment touchscreen display at the centre of the dash. Mazda has replaced the 8-inch display with the new 9-inch display. It comes with the older Mazda Connect infotainment system though. The 2020 CX-9 specs sheet remains deprived of the latest Mazda Connect system that can be seen in the new Mazda 3 and CX-30. The system, however, comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, along with a Commander Control feature.

You can also see the new silver stitching on the black leather seating. The seatbelt reminder on the new CX-9 is now for all three rows of seats and not just for the driver and passenger seats previously. Another addition is of the automatic brake hold feature that is smartly positioned near the electronic parking brake. The passengers in the third row now get two USB charging ports for added convenience. The front USB ports, two each in the first and second rows remain intact.

Other standard things inside the cabin are a 4.6-inch instrument cluster, triple-zone climate control with second-row vents, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a coloured, windshield-projected Active Driving Display and navigation feature.

Something that Mazda should have worked on is the cramped third-row setup because it’s still a task to enter in there for an average adult. Plus, the cargo space that’s just behind the third-row seating, it’s still tiny.

Is it the same powertrain?

The CX-9 continues to draw from the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine that pumps out 231 PS of power at 5,000 rpm and 420 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm, mated to a SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The AWD model comes with the i-Activ all-wheel-drive system.

New on the AWD model is the Off-road Traction Assist, an enhanced version of the regular Traction Control System. You get an explicit button for switching it on/off. Once engaged, the system increases the braking force on the wheels and reduces engine torque when passing over uneven surfaces.

Another new feature that adds value to the three-row SUV is the new i-Stop idling technology. Also, there is now Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control Plus instead of the previous G-Vectoring Control system.

Did anything add on the safety column?

No change has been done on this front as the Mazda CX-9 continues to come with standard safety features like 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS with EBD, DSC, Emergency Brake Assist, Hill Launch Assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors for the second-row seats, and Emergency Stop Signal.

Like before, there is the i-ActivSense Safety suite with driver assistance features like Blind-Spot Monitoring, Adaptive LED headlights, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Attention Alert and the improved Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection for the front as well as rear.

What’s the price?

As far as pricing is concerned, the Mazda CX-9 2.5 SkyActiv-G 2WD is priced at RM 319,610.40, while the CX-9 2.5 SkyActiv-G AWD retails at RM 336,610.40 (both prices are OTR without insurance).

Conclusion

Mazda hasn’t really changed anything on the CX-9, it continues to feature the same powertrain with minor improvements, along with subtle outside alterations and inside the cabin convenience features. However, things that could have been better are better ingress and egress to the third-row and tight third-row seating layout, along with the inclusion of the latest Mazda Connect infotainment system that’s fitted inside the new Mazda 3 and the Mazda CX-30.

Also Read: Which one should you buy: Mazda CX-30 or CX-5