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Mazda is not the most conventional of automakers. After all, who would sum up its corporate philosophy as “zoom-zoom”. Despite sounding Japanese-y, it simply means they make cars that turn heads, pump up excitement and above all, ruffle feathers of the industry mainstays. As they directed their attention to the crossover genre, the resulting car is a stroke of genius. The CX-9 is a breath of fresh car in the world of daddy cars. Finally, here’s a 7-seater that’s refreshingly designed inside and out with world-class dynamics and punchy performance to match. Next to its segment rivals, the CX-9 is, hands down, the sexiest one out there. It begs to be looked and stared at. It commands attention because of its sleek styling that deceptively looks compact until you walk up to it—all five meters of it. A big part of the optical illusion is the CX-9’s ideal proportions and minimal adornment. The subtly bulging front fenders take a cue from the RX-8, and there’s a smattering of chrome around the windows and tail lamps. The silhouette is long and flowing, with a glass that tapers as it goes to the back. The rear is equally interesting as the front, where the LED tail lamps and the twin exhaust pipes connote a sporty demeanor. The wheel wells are aptly filled by rims twenty inches strong, while 17-inch disc brakes are houses inside each corner. Of course, the CX-9’s sleek design is just icing to the cake. Its primary purpose, after all, is to ferry the extended family in supreme comfort. The front seats are generous and supportive, with electric motors providing minute adjustment. The middle row is equally roomy for three. The seat mechanism allows for a 60/40 split-fold ratio with a single lever on either side for access to the rearmost seats (the middle row does not tumble). Meanwhile, the third row is merely adequate on both head and knee room and you’ll need to do some adjustment on the middle row seats to achieve this. With all the seats up, there’s ample space for groceries, but nothing in the realm of class-leading. If you need to haul bulky stuff, both the second and third rows fold flat into the floor with the third having a clever strap that’s accessible from the hatch that easily folds or pulls up the seats as needed. |
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