2021 Mazda CX-9 revealed, gets a new Carbon Edition trim

KUALA LUMPUR: With an intent to keep up the CX-9 in the competitive three-row midsize crossover segment, Mazda has updated the model with some needed improvements. These include technology and styling upgrades, and an addition of a new Carbon Edition trim. 

The new Mazda CX-9 incorporates a much larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display paired with the latest-gen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Its new interface is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has Mazda Connected Services capabilities. This can let owners monitor and control the car remotely using the MyMazda app with three-year trial access. It also supports an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot, for which the automaker gives three-months or a 2GB trial. 

Coming to the new CX-9 Carbon Edition, the model features a Polymetal Grey exterior, gloss black door mirrors, new gloss black front grille, and 20-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The cabin is decked up in red leather seats and black metallic interior trimming on the dash, door panels, and handle rims. 

The Carbon Edition comes with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, a 7.0-inch instrument display, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. Smart city brake support reverse and driver attention alert are also added to the i-Activsense safety features. 

The high-spec variant, Touring, gets leather and adjustable bench seating in the rear. Mazda added new luxury features in the Touring Premium package, including Bose 12-speaker premium audio, wireless phone charger, parking sensors, moonroof, and second-row sunshades. Other variants are also updated with a number of technological and styling bits.

Under the metal skin, new CX-9 houses the same Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine generating 250 hp and 433 Nm of peak torque on premium (93 octane) gasoline or 227 hp and 420 Nm on regular (87 octane) gasoline. The engine is mated to a quick-shifting, six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic gearbox with G-Vectoring Control Plus as standard. 

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is slated to arrive in the US showrooms later this month with a starting tag of $33,960.

Also read: Upcoming Mazda CX-50 could be the successor of CX-5