The 2010 Mazda CX-9 livens up the crossover SUV market by being both family-friendly AND fun to drive. It's proof that these two positive attributes don't have to be mutually exclusive. Indeed, there's quite a lot to like about the CX-9, including its athletic road manners, appealing cabin, roomy third row, excellent crash test ratings and solid build quality.
Even as the crossover segment has become crowded, the Mazda CX-9 manages to stand out from the pack thanks to its advanced handling (particularly for a vehicle with a third row), refined styling and spacious cabin. In addition, it features wide-opening doors for easier access as well as a long list of features, making it an enjoyable driving experience whether its packed with passengers or not.
And new for the 2010 model year, the CX-9 gets a mild design refesh to both the interior and exterior, some upgraded cabin materials, a revised multi-information display with a rearview camera, updated rear ventilation controls and real-time traffic for the navigation system.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 7-passenger 2010 Mazda CX-9 is classified as a large crossover SUV and is offered in three trims: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.
Standard features on the CX-9 Sport model include full power accessories, cruise control, 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, three-zone automatic climate control, a trip computer, a tilt/telescoping steering column, Bluetooth and a 6-speaker audio system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Moving up to the Touring model adds leather upholstery for the front and second-row seats, power front seats, heated front seats and heated mirrors, while the top-of-the-line Grand Touring adds keyless entry and ignition, rain-sensing wipers, xenon headlights, driver memory functions, 20-inch wheels, foglights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a second-row armrest, unique blue cabin illumination and dark silver and wood grain interior trim accents.
Optional features vary by model and include navigation with a rearview camera, a stand-alone rearview camera with a rearview mirror display, remote engine start, a sunroof, roof rails, a power rear liftgate, a rear entertainment system and an upgraded Bose surround-sound system with satellite radio, a 6-disc CD changer and an in-dash audio display.
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Under the hood of all 2010 Mazda CX-9s is a 3.7-liter V6 engine that's good for 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control and is offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive choices. The towing capacity for the CX-9 is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.
The EPA-estimated gas mileage for the new CX-9 stands at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg on the highway for front-wheel-drive models, while all-wheel-drive models come in at 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2010 CX-9 models include stability control with a rollover sensor, antilock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active head restraints. In addition, a blind-spot warning system is standard on the Grand Touring, while a rearview camera is optional on the Touring and Grand Touring models.
The CX-9 has excelled in all government crash tests, earning the highest possible ratings of five stars in all frontal and side-impact occupant protection categories.
Interior:
The CX-9's cabin is sporty, attractive and user-friendly. Functionality and materials quality was improved this year with the addition of new leather and cloth seating surfaces, wood and chrome trim pieces, a revised split-lid center console bin and a redesigned steering wheel for easier Bluetooth, cruise control and audio control. Particularly attractive interior features include the two-tone leather, black trim and red and blue instrument lighting.
Seating in all rows is comfortable and supportive with a third-row that can easily accommodate adults. The second row also slides and reclines for added legroom for taller passengers. There's also larger than normal door openings for easy access to the third row, however, the larger doors can be somewhat problematic in tight parking situations. Cargo space is a very useful 101 cubic feet when the second and third rows are folded flat.
Drive:
One of the 2010 CX-9's top attributes is that it provides both a comfortable driving experience around town and on the highway, while also offering surprisingly nimble handling on those back twisty roads. With its precise and responsive steering, the CX-9 seems like a much smaller vehicle. Acceleration is strong while the well-tuned suspension provides a smooth and comfortable ride by doing a good job absorbing rough spots and bumps. It should be noted, however, that the Grand Touring's 20-inch wheels make it less adept at maintaining the smoothness when the roads get rougher.
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Prices:
2010 Mazda CX-9:
Sport, FWD: list price: $28,805 invoice price: $26,665
Sport, AWD: list price: $30,205, invoice price: $27,956
Touring, FWD: list price: $30,725, invoice price: $28,437
Touring, AWD: list price: $32,125, invoice price: $29,728
Grand Touring, FWD: list price: $32,815, invoice price: $30,363
Grand Touring, AWD: list price: $34,215, invoice price: $31,654
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