2021 Mazda CX-9

With sporty handling and an interior worthy of a luxury brand, the Mazda CX-9 is one of the best kept secrets in the world of three-row crossovers. It's perfect for those who need to carry people and all of their stuff, but still appreciate the joy of driving.

Overview

Mazda abandoned its "Zoom-Zoom" tagline long ago, but its products are still fun to drive. Even its largest SUV, the three-row Mazda CX-9 will make you smile on a twisty road. Quick and responsive, the CX-9 handles like a sport sedan. Its optional all-wheel-drive system delivers good traction on a variety of surfaces and its well-tuned suspension offers a smooth ride. Even more impressive is its interior, which looks and feels a class above. Securing the CX-9's high-value status is a full assortment of top-level convenience and safety technologies that are standard on the lowest trim. The Mazda isn't quite as roomy as the Kia Telluride, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot or Volkswagen Atlas, but it is more than large enough for most families.

What's New for 2021

For 2021, Mazda CX-9's cabin has been updated with a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display. A wireless smartphone charging pad is now standard on Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature models. Mazda also added a sporty Carbon Edition featuring dark 20-inch wheels, red leather upholstery, and new safety features. Signature models get updated grille and wheel designs, new paddle shifters, an improved exterior camera system, more standard equipment, and new quilted leather.

Trims and Pricing

The Mazda CX-9 is available in five trim levels: Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive as a $1,900 option, except on the Signature, where AWD is standard. The Grand Touring is the most popular trim, but we recommend the Touring. We'll explain why.

Sport

At $35,335, the entry-level Sport is the least expensive CX-9. It's a strong value with a long list of standard features, including Mazda's i-Activsense suite of safety technology. The Sport also comes with a new larger 10.25-inch infotainment screen, heated front seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, three-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, LED headlights and taillights, heated power side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and 18-inch wheels.

Touring

Given its modest price jump and numerous additional features, we think the CX-9 Touring ($37,125) is the sweet spot in the lineup for value. This trim includes leather seats, a six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, two USB ports for the rear-seat area, a slide-and-tilt function for the second row, a power liftgate, and keyless entry. An optional Touring Premium package brings a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless phone charger, a power moonroof, parking sensors, two USB ports in the third row, sunshades for the second-row windows, and the option of second-row captain's chairs.

Carbon Edition

The $42,445 Carbon Edition is new for 2021 with blacked-out trim, a black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and expanded i-Activsense safety features. The interior has red leather seats and black trim on the dash, door, and bezels. Heated second-row captain's chairs are standard along with ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding side mirrors, adaptive front lighting, an eight-way adjustable driver's seat with memory and more.

Grand Touring

The $43,315 Grand Touring model drops the Carbon Edition's black and red accents, and adds a 360-degree-view monitor with front and rear parking sensors, navigation, a hands-free power liftgate, and head-up display.

Signature

The top-of-the-range Signature ($47,890) comes standard with all-wheel drive, a titanium grille design with LED accents, 20-inch wheels, larger dual tailpipes, quilted Nappa leather with contrast piping, aluminum trim, second-row captain's chairs with a center console, Santos Rosewood interior trim, and special steering wheel stitching.