Used 2023 MAZDA CX-9

The midsize SUV segment is a bread-and-butter one that’s filled with recommendable vehicles designed for family duty. As Mazda’s largest SUV, the CX-9 can certainly play the role of a children’s chauffeur. But it offers so much more, and for some discerning drivers, the CX-9’s skill set can only be matched by something wearing a luxury badge.

From the CX-9’s elegant design and supple interior to its peppy turbo engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), this Mazda feels a few notches up from the mainstream. That’s reflected in a higher starting price than rivals like the Kia Telluride, Ford Explorer, and Hyundai Palisade.

The Mazda CX-9 isn’t the roomiest in its segment, nor does it offer hybrid or electrified powertrains. But for buyers who require the practicality of a 3-row SUV yet yearn for the traits of a premium and sporty sedan, the CX-9’s trade-offs are worth it.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The Mazda CX-9 is among the most enjoyable-to-drive crossovers in its class. We are reminded of this every time we get behind the wheel of a CX-9. It’s the 3-row SUV that doesn’t drive like a 3-row SUV. Rather, it has the nimbleness and finesse of something smaller, and maybe even something that isn’t even an SUV.

Credit for this goes to a confluence of factors. There’s the CX-9’s heart, for one, a small but potent turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that has more verve than you would expect for a vehicle of this size. For those counting, it corrals up to 250 horses when drinking 93-octane fuel, or 227 horsepower on good old 87-grade. The bigger number here, literally and figuratively, is the 320 lb-ft of torque (310 on regular gas), which aids off-the-line acceleration.

If you know Mazdas, though, you know it’s not just about straight-line zip. The automaker has always instilled in its vehicles the ability to tackle corners with zeal, and that still holds even in its largest SUV. Combine excellent steering feel, standard all-wheel drive, a snappy transmission, and myriad other factors that happen behind the scene, and it adds up to a je ne sais quoi not often found in a car — and almost never found in a mainstream 3-row SUV like the Mazda CX-9.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 3-row SUV has space for six or seven passengers, depending on your choice of seating configuration. Touring, Carbon Edition, and loaded Signature models come with seating for six, thanks to standard second-row captain’s chairs. Touring Plus and Grand Touring trims offer a choice of that 6-passenger setup, or seating for seven if you swap the second-row captain’s seats with a traditional bench.

As we’ve noted, interior space and cargo room in the CX-9 is less than what you’d get in something like the Kia Telluride. Compare the Mazda’s 71.2 cubic feet of room with both second rows folded to the Kia’s 87 cubic feet.

But as we’ve also noted, the cabin in the Mazda CX-9 is a very nice place to be, with quality touches everywhere you look (and touch). Leather upholstery is standard and available in multiple hues.

Even the base Touring trim, the most popular trim in the lineup, gets niceties like a moonroof, heated front seats, and a wireless phone charger. Moving up trims only makes things plusher with amenities such as ventilated front seats, quilted Nappa leather seating in Deep Chestnut or Parchment colors, and rosewood trim inlays.

All models come with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. Unlike competitors, this one isn’t a touchscreen but is rather operated by a dial near the gear shift. Lower trims have a 4.6-inch LCD display in the instrument cluster, while higher trims have a more modern 7-inch display.

Yes, we know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we’d wager few eyes would find fault in the 2023 Mazda CX-9. This remains among the most elegant 3-row SUVs you can buy.

Where others have pivoted for a chunkier and blockier shape to appeal to those seeking a more rugged SUV image, the CX-9 is all curves and flow. It’s a handsome machine with no pretense of boulder bouncing.

You won’t have to pay extra for rear privacy glass here, as it’s standard, as are sporty dual exhausts. Wheel sizes are 18 inches for the base Touring model and big 20s for the rest of the lineup. The Carbon Edition stands out with its Polymetal Gray paint and gloss black accents.

1. Design
If we’re being honest, most of us are first attracted to a vehicle by its looks. And while pragmatism is usually a priority for buyers of a 3-row family SUV, this is one that also happens to be candy for the eyes.

2. Standard all-wheel drive
Most competitors charge extra for this traction-enhancing feature, but it’s now standard on all Mazda SUVs. AWD can be helpful in the wet and the dry, especially with a generous 320 lb-ft of torque to manage.

3. Luxurious interior
The first time we stepped into this generation of the CX-9, we knew it was special. Mazda really upped its game, and it has created a cabin nice enough to be in a luxury SUV.

4. Driving manners
If your past experience driving a family SUV has been drudgery, you owe it to yourself to test a CX-9. Its spry handling and athletic manners will feel like a breath of fresh air.

5. Those paint colors
Here’s another area where Mazda mimics a luxury brand. The exterior paint colors available on the CX-9 — especially Soul Red Crystal Metallic — shine like few others.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It’s small but packs a punch, making up to 250 horsepower on 93-octane gas (227 with regular). Torque figures are even more impressive at up to 320 lb-ft. Unlike some rivals, there are no hybrid or plug-in hybrid variants of the CX-9.

All models use a 6-speed automatic transmission and include all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard.

2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
227 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm (250 horsepower w/93 octane)
310 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm (320 lb-ft w/93 octane)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg

Excellent Safety Scores

The family-friendly credentials of the CX-9 are improved by outstanding safety ratings. It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick, and it earns a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

3/36 Warranty

The Mazda CX-9 is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, while its powertrain benefits from a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. That’s about typical of the coverage you’ll find elsewhere in the segment.