2018 Mazda CX-9: Features explained

The CX-9 is Mazda’s flagship SUV for the Malaysian market. And Mazda has made sure that this 7-seater surpasses customers’ expectations by a good margin. Mazda has really worked night and day to nurture the CX-9 into the kind of vehicle it is. The sort of attention to detail is mesmerizing and something you usually find in German cars. Let’s see what are the key features that it has to offer.

Exquisite design

Over the time Mazda has learned to make some really good-looking cars. And it really shows. The 2018 CX-9 is based on Mazda’s ‘KODO: Soul of Motion’ design language that we’ve already seen in its younger siblings. But on the CX-9, this concept is that much more evident and pronounced. For example, the LED daytime running lights at the front have a shape that matches the tail lights at the rear. Together they look so symmetrical and proportionate. And, of course, the attractive front grille is something that will make others stare at you.

Capacious cabin

The 2018 Mazda CX-9 can easily seat seven. This means there is ample amount of space inside the cabin. Mazda has very well managed the space distribution in all the three rows. The front and the second row has more than enough room for the occupants to move around. The last row is easily accessible and has a decent amount of legroom. However, the headroom is a bit low. But still one wouldn’t mind spending long hours even in the third row.

As far as the trunk space is concerned, it is quite sufficient to hold a few bags even with the third row of seat upright. This should be good enough for your weekend trip. But if you want to store more cargo then you can fold the third row to extend the space.

Plush ride quality

Mazda has worked tirelessly to enhance the overall ride quality of the CX-9. And the work has paid off. The suspension setup has been tuned just right to suit this heavy SUV. It provides a very plush ride. It can handle uneven surfaces and minor undulations pretty well. It is also worth mentioning here that the NVH level inside the cabin has been controlled extremely well. You are disconnected from your surroundings and can even hear yourself think.

G-Vectoring control

The GVC or G-Vectoring control falls under Mazda’s SKYACTIV Vehicle Dynamics system. This is a technology that helps the CX-9 to handle the corners that much better. It controls the G-forces going through the car while in motion by shifting the gravitational forces. This enhances the overall ride quality both in city and twisty roads.

Powerful engine

The 2018 CX-9 specifications boast off the SKYACTIV-G 2.5L turbo engine that has been tuned to produce 229 PS of max power and generates a whopping 420 Nm of torque that kicks in from as low as 2,000 revs. This is the amount of torque that you usually find in much larger engines. Mazda is providing you with that in a 2.5-litre package. This means that this engine is also that much more economical than that of its rivals. Mazda claims that the CX-9 has a fuel efficiency of 11.13 kmpl.

i-Active Sense safety features

Mazda has also focussed on making the CX-9 a safe place to be in. It comes with various advanced safety features that Mazda likes to put under its i-Active Sense title. These features include adaptive headlights, smart city brake support for both front and rear movement, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning system, lane keep assist system, and driver attention alert. Other safety features include 6 airbags, ABS, dynamic stability control, EBD, and traction control system.

These were some of the key features of the 2018 Mazda CX-9. Looking at the bigger picture as a whole, this 7-seater SUV is one of the best cars available in the segment at present. If not better, it is as good as a German SUV. The Mazda CX-9 price starts at RM 265,585 for the 2WD model; the 4WD model will cost you RM 280,585.