Sitting atop the Mazda range is the three-row CX-9. As the brand’s flagship SUV, it brings the brand’s vision of premium to fruition by focusing on the true essence of luxury with its sophisticated style, well-appointed interior, and balanced dynamics.
When the second-generation model launched in 2016, Mazda proposed a new kind of SUV aimed at people who prefer to chart their own path to success. Its development focused on “effortless transition”—the idea of juggling various aspects of one’s life—be it being a parent, a businessman, or even accommodating a weekend getaway with your significant other. Instead of focusing on mere specs and functionality, the CX-9 goes beyond to support and enhance its owner’s lives.
Following in the footsteps of the MX-5, the CX-9 was a finalist for both the World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year in 2017. Its shapely exterior, honed by KODO, proves that SUVs need not be boring.
In the years since, Mazda has applied continuous updates to the CX-9 to give its drivers and passengers meaningful improvements. Engineers could have left this SUV well enough alone, but in this latest update, they’ve refined the suspension for a more natural ride, and added more sound insulation for greater sound suppression.
The quieter cabin not only facilitates a more natural conversation between passengers across all rows, but it also enables the 12-speaker Bose sound system to shine. For those who have their own playlists saved on their smartphone or on Spotify, the eight-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system now adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
This goes hand-in-hand with the auburn Nappa leather seating (cooled for the first row) as well as real aluminum and Santos rosewood interior trim supplied by Japanese guitar maker Fujigen. Those whose eyes focus on the details will notice the LED ambient lighting as well as the steering wheel stitched in a “Chidori” pattern. The Chidori stitch is found in Japanese hand-sewn Temari balls—a traditional Japanese toy that’s brought joy to countless generations. The very same stitch, in black and auburn, is found in the CX-9, signifying Mazda’s intention to bring that very same joy to the driver.
With that in mind, the CX-9 features a turbocharged 2.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine: the Skyactiv-G 2.5T. Traditionally, turbocharged engines have suffered from poor dynamic performance at low rpms, including turbo lag. Skyactiv-G2.5T overcomes these problems with the Dynamic Pressure Turbo, a turbocharging system that can vary the degree of exhaust pulsation depending on engine speed. Whereas existing variable turbochargers adjust the speed or direction of exhaust gas flowing into the turbine, Dynamic Pressure Turbo is a unique technology that varies the degree of exhaust pulsation.
Meanwhile, the cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation system takes some of the inert exhaust gas that results from the combustion process and reduces its temperature by passing it through a cooler before introducing it back into the engine’s air intake. This lowers the temperature of combustion in the engine, preventing knocking, expanding the range in which the engine can maintain the ideal air-fuel ratio.
Engaging driving dynamics is another hallmark of the Mazda brand, and for the latest CX-9, it comes with G-Vectoring Control or GVC. GVC uses the engine in conjunction with steering and throttle inputs to minutely reduce engine torque, putting more weight on the front wheels and making the steering feel more linear and direct. As a result, the driver is able to gain more confidence and control behind the wheel. Meanwhile, for the passenger, this results in less head movement contributing to a more comfortable experience especially on long drives.
Keeping its occupants safe, the CX-9 also comes with a wide array of driver-assist features such as Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. It also has adaptive automatic LED lighting, a 360-degree camera, and rain-sensing wipers.
The Mazda CX-9 commands your journey, and shows that there’s no need to compromise between needs and wants in a seven-seater SUV. Making this personal piece of luxury even more attainable, Mazda Philippines is offering a P889,000 down payment (P37,331 monthly amortization for five years) on every CX-9 Signature until March 31. This includes a five-year free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) package, and a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty—which is standard on every brand-new Mazda.