Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 2019 review

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 offers three rows of seats, plenty of features and safety technology for large families. But it's the driving dynamics that sets this family car apart from other seven-passenger SUVs. Mazda wants you to "feel alive" when you drive their cars, and they don't just blow smoke.

On the weekend we took a 2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring with all-wheel drive for the rides.

What's new in 2019

The Mazda CX-9 gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a retuned suspension for a smoother ride, and a 360-degree camera.

Features Grand Touring

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring ($42,640) comes with automatic headlights and wipers, heated mirrors, a power liftgate, keyless ignition and door opening, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage door opener. Comfort features include heating, power-adjustable front seats and leather upholstery. Connectivity options include an eight-inch infotainment display and two USB ports in the second-row center armrest.

The Grand Touring also has more safety features. Including automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and automatic emergency braking.

The Grand Touring trim is further enhanced by 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, LED fog lights, roof bars, a sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, a Heads-up display with traffic sign recognition and a digital gauge cluster. Drivers get ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, while rear passengers get retractable sunshades and heated seats. The Grand Touring also features aluminum interior trim, exterior lighting, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Interior features: luxurious and comfortable

“Comfortable” and “attractive” are two of the best words to describe the interior of the CX-9 Grand Touring. This finish makes extensive use of soft-touch materials on the inside. The fit and finish is tight, and the material quality is the best among three-row crossovers. The CX-9 feels bigger than it really is, with plenty of room for adults.

Very comfortable front seats will not leave you tired at the end of the day. The interior is perfect for a stressful commute or to take the family on a weekend ski trip into the mountains. During our weekend trip, it was nice to have heated seats and a new heated steering wheel.

The second row will easily accommodate two adults, while the third row is ideal for children. The front and rear doors are relatively short and we hit our heads when we got out. This design has its downsides when it comes to height. When it comes to cargo space, the CX-9 will fit as much as most families will need, although that's less than competing SUVs and crossovers. However, the rear doors made it easy to load the extra cargo we had.

Engine characteristics and fuel consumption

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 227 horsepower and 310 pounds of torque. Filling up with premium fuel, horsepower will rise to 250. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional and comes on our CX-9 tester.

EPA fuel consumption ratings are 20/26 city/highway and 23 combined mpg. Compared to similar vehicles, the 2019 Mazda CX-9 is ahead of the curve in terms of fuel economy.

Driving dynamics: limited visibility but reliable handling

When driving the 2019 Mazda CX-9, the car appears to be much smaller than its actual size. It has the sporty Mazda character that driving enthusiasts will appreciate. It's nimble in city traffic and smoother, more confident than previous models. The cabin is particularly quiet due to the curved body, even at 75 mph. The only complaint we have about the cabin is that visibility is limited due to the design of the CX-9.

Overall, the CX-9 handles tight corners with little effort. Mazda's G-Vectoring Control actually adjusts the power delivery by slightly changing the CX-9's weight throughout the turn, thereby reducing the need for steering adjustments.

Driving dynamics: good for winter

On the open road, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine has more grip than you might imagine given its size. The new CX-9 handles slow traffic with no problem, even at altitude in thin air. We had no problems with acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode is smooth and handles quick shifts when you need that extra boost.

A small snowstorm hit the west side of Denver, and the four-wheel drive worked flawlessly. We also had no problems on slippery roads.

Finally, we found the low-speed automatic emergency braking feature to be useful in congested traffic.

Conclusion: the perfect choice for a family

The 2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring delivers a driving experience that is unmatched by many modern three-row SUVs. The CX-9 will satisfy the needs of those who need space to travel with the family, especially on snowy roads.

2019 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring Photos

Photos: Mazda North American Operations.