2010 Mazda CX-9
Mazda makes little things go a long way
Tue, Feb 2nd 2010
| VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| type | 5 door, suv - small, 2wd |
| msrp | $34,327 |
| trans | automatic |
| gas mi. | 16mpg/22mpg |
| rating |  |
This 7-seat crossover won me over with two features: one for me, one for the dogs.
The first is the ability to not just move the seat forward and back but also up and down. That level of adjustability makes it a winner. The second is the backseat air conditioner vents, which help to ensure canine comfort on the road.
The 60/40 split rear seats, plus the two seats in the back, all fold down — albeit not quite flat — ensuring plenty of cargo space for crates, grooming tables and other dog gear. There are plenty of tiedowns for securing items, three 12-volt power outlets throughout the vehicle for running crate fans or a small refrigerator for fresh food and charging electronics, and a cargo hatch that goes up or down at the touch of a button.
With all of the seats up, however, only a small crate would fit in the cargo area. Canine car seats secured with a seat belt might be a better alternative for small dogs.
I drove the Mazda CX-9 during a week of rain and took full advantage of the heated front seats. Other amenities include a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise controls for easy accessibility, three-zone climate control and a backup camera that indicates whether you’re lined up properly and how close you are to the car behind you when you’re parallel parking. Drawbacks are the small glovebox and the way the center console inconveniently opens out to the sides instead of up and back.
The CX-9 handles well with excellent acceleration and braking. You couldn’t really call it sporty, and I would prefer better mileage, but it is comfortable and fun to drive.
-- Kim Campbell Thornton
Carguy Comments: The 2010 Mazda CX-9 is available in three trims, the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. All three feature a 273 horsepower V6 with six-speed automatic transmission and sport shift. Cargo volume is 100.7 cubic feet with second and third row seats folded flat. The width between rear tire housings is 46.1 inches with a rear opening heigth of 31.7 inches.
-- Keith Turner The Family Car
Barking lot banter: While it’s a bit on the pricey side, the Mazda CX-9 combines style, comfort and dog-friendliness.
