Most significant changes: Base trim levels gain more standard safety and driver-assist features. The engine gets a slight bump in torque when running on premium fuel, and the multimedia screen in most trim levels is now a bit larger. Uplevel trims gain available second-row captain’s chairs, which replace last year’s three-position bench.
Price change: The base trim, which sees the most increased equipment, is up $1,510 on front-wheel-drive models or $1,610 on all-wheel-drive models; other trims increase $280 to $750.
On sale: Now
Which should you buy, 2019 or 2020? 2020. The largest price increase for 2020 comes on the base Sport trim level, but that also gets the most additional safety equipment. Other trims see smaller pricing increases and get interior refinements.
Mazda redesigned its flagship SUV, the CX-9, back in the 2016 model year, and it adds slightly more engine power, additional standard safety features and interior enhancements for 2020.
Trim levels for the CX-9 in ascending order are the Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and Signature. The sole engine, a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, gains conditional torque. Other upgrades for 2020 include newly available second-row captain’s chairs, a larger multimedia screen, a hands-free liftgate for Grand Touring and Signature trim levels and, on models with optional AWD, a new off-road traction-assist mode.
Sport models now come with heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control that works down to a stop, full-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with steering assist and rain-sensing wipers — all features that cost extra on last year’s CX-9 Sport. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require stepping up to the Touring trim level, which pairs them with a new 9-inch touchscreen (the 2019 model’s multimedia system maxed out at 8 inches). Sport trims return with a 7-inch screen. Like last year, however, both screens lock you out while the vehicle is traveling faster than 5 mph.
The CX-9 ranks among the more refined and luxurious mid-size SUVs in the non-premium segment. The engine now makes 250 horsepower and 320 pounds-feet of torque when running 93-octane premium fuel. That’s identical horsepower but 10 more pounds-feet of torque versus 2019, and only on premium fuel; on 87-octane fuel it makes 227 hp and 310 pounds-feet — both unchanged from 2019. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive is standard on the CX-9 Signature and a $1,900 option for all others, up from $1,800 in 2019.
Prices including destination start in the high-$30,000 range and top $47,000 for the Signature trim. The good news is that most options are included among higher trims, which leaves very little in the way of add-ons and other extra costs.
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Mazda’s three-row SUV has one of the most engaging driving experiences of any SUV in its segment. Exterior styling is striking and unique, with sweeping lines and curvy sheet metal. With captain’s chairs equipped in the second row, the experience for backseat passengers should rival that of people riding in the excellent front seats. The tradeoff is a cramped third row and disappointing cargo space, both of which fall well short of many rivals.
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