The 2022 Mazda CX-9 three-row crossover is still looking bigger than it is and driving smaller. Delivering excellent driving dynamics with human-centric features, it carries (up to) seven plus all their gear comfortably, with safety, on daily around town errands, to and from weekend adventures or across the country on family vacations.
All at an affordable price.
Test Drive
We recently tested 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature (top-of-the-line) in and around Central Texas. We last drove CX-9 in 2010 – also in the Signature trim. We found it an attractive choice loaded with premium amenities, functional features with driving fun for all types of buyers including families and empty nesters.
As veteran empty-nesters, we found the 2022 model to be very well suited for our needs as an adventuring couple, traveling with friends and gear (two rows) and/or visiting grandchildren (three rows).
Our 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD came in a distinctive Machine Gray Metallic color, Brilliant Silver Finish Alloy Wheels and a handsome Titanium Gray Metallic Grille with LED Accent Lighting. Inside, the with a Chestnut interior was enhanced by premium accents and featured Captain’s Chair seating in the second row.
The delivered price for our 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD was $49,030. Looking back at the Moroney (window sticker) for the 2019 we tested previously, we found our similarly equipped 2022 CX-9 Signature AWD delivered price $650 lower than the 2019 CX-9 Signature we tested three years ago.
Talk about consumer friendly. Let’s take a look at what you get for under $50,000.
Signature Styling
The Signature CX-9 premium exterior elements include Auto-Leveling Adaptive LED Headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED Fog Lights, LED Taillights, Power Auto-Folding Heated Side Mirrors, Hands-Free Power Rear Liftgate, Rear Roof Spoiler, Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers with Deicer, Power Moonroof with Sunshade and Roof Rack Side Rails.
Inside, Our Signature’s Deep Chestnut premium interior featured elegant layered Santos Rosewood interior accents, genuine aluminum trims and Nappa leather-trimmed quilted seating front and second row. Seats are heated and ventilated (3-levels) with power adjustment both driver (12-position) and passenger. Second row seating in Signature features heated Captain’s Chairs with a center console.
Other features included second-row window sunshades, interior LED lighting throughout, Triple-Zone AC with rear vents, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and paddle shifters, black headliner and all-weather floor mats and a lot more.
Powertrain
Equipped with the Turbocharged SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine, the Mazda CX-9 delivers plenty of power for this mid-size crossover with the unusual twist of being horsepower sensitive to the octane level of the fuel in the tank.
Using 87 Octane fuel, it produces 227 horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Using 93 Octane, horsepower increases to 250 horsepower. The torque for 87 Octane is 310 lb.-ft. with the 93 Octane rated at 320 lb.-ft.
Mazda CX-9 uses a six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE Automatic Transmission with Manual Shift and Sport mode that features a variable locking torque converter to optimize acceleration of the turbocharged engine.
The nicely balanced powertrain on the CX-9 does not lack for startup or on-demand acceleration to move this SUV quickly around town or on the road.
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature is fuel economy rated at 20/26 mpg city/highway and 23 mpg combined. Fuel tank capacity is 19.5 gallons for a highway range of neat 500 miles.
Drivetrain
The CX-9 Signature is equipped with the Mazda i-ACTIVE All-Wheel Drive System integrated with Off-Road Traction Assist and G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) system that optimizes drive experience in synch with the turbo power plant.
Mazda’s i-ACTIVE AWD drive system monitors real time road conditions and individual wheel response to those conditions. In coordination with G-Vectoring Control, it adjusts power to wheels for maximum control and performance.
Synched with the turbocharged engine, the GVC Plus system adds another management element to the vectoring control. As GVC, it delivers that precise and consistent steering response by adjusting engine output that shifts weight to the front tires whenever the driver turns the wheel. The Plus feature provides input to steering response as the driver exits a corner, feeding a touch of braking to the outside front wheel for better control on the power out.
Our Mazda CX-9 Signature featured distinctive design 20-inch alloy wheels mounted with P255/50R20 all-season tires.
Fully loaded with excellent road handling elements – the CX-9 is a terrific ride and drive. Handling elements include a MacPherson Strut suspension front and independent multi-link suspension rear, anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution, power assisted front and rear disc brakes, power assist rack and pinion steering with variable speed sensing assist, Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, Trailer Stability Control and Hill Launch assist.
Technology and Safety
Our 2022 CX-9 Signature was equipped with an Active Driving Display with Traffic Sign Recognition, a 360-degree View Monitor augmented with a 7-inch, a full-color touchscreen with rear camera and reconfigurable 7-inch TFT driver information center display plus the Mazda Connect suite of technology apps and services that included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Other features included the Mazda multi-function Commander knob with shortcut buttons and Siri voice command, Bose 12-speaker Audio System, HD Radio, SiriusXM radio with Traffic and Travel Link, Wireless Phone Charger, Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming audio, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Mazda Navigation, multiple USB ports plus Auxiliary inputs, Remote Keyless Entry and Push Button Start.
The full suite of the Mazda i-ACTIVSENSE Safety functions including Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go Function, Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Control, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Smart Brake Support, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
CX-9 Tows Too
Adventuring in the 2022 Mazda CX-9 might require bringing along some extra gear such as bikes, tents, kayaks and so on. Dealers are set up to install factory-engineered roof accessories like gear boxes or bike, kayak, surfboard, ski and snowboard carriers.
If more gear is required, CX-9 tows too – up to 3,500 pounds -when properly equipped – (also installed by the dealer).
2019 CX-9 Lineup
The CX-9 lineup for 2022 offers three six models all with i-Active All-Wheel Drive. only. They are Sport (MSRP $35,280), Touring (MSRP $37,430), Touring Plus (MSRP $41,660), Carbon Edition (MSRP $43,580), Grand Touring (MSRP $44,440) and the Signature (MSRP $47,210).
Learn more about the complete line of 2022 Mazda CX-9 at https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/2022-cx-9
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KEY DATA: 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature
- Model CX-9
- Trim Level Signature
- Class Mid-Size SUV
- Seating Six (Three-Row)
- MSRP $47,210
- As Tested $49,030 (delivered)
- Engine 5L SkyActiv-G Turbo 4-cylinder
- Horsepower 250 hp (93 Octane) 227 hp (87 Octane)
- Torque 320 lb.-ft. (93 Octane) 310 lb.-ft. (87 Octane)
- Transmission 6-speed Automatic w/G-Vectoring Control
- Drive System i-Activ All-Wheel Drive w/Off-road Traction Assist
- Wheel size 20-inch Alloy
- Tire Size 255/50 R20 All-season
- Suspension Strut front and Multi-link rear w/Stabilizer Bars
- Steering Electronic Power Assisted (EPAS)
- Brakes 4-Wheel Power Assist w/EBD and Brake Assist
- Tow Capacity 3,500 pounds
- Fuel Capacity 19.5 gallons
- Fuel Economy 20/26 mpg 23 combined
