2013 Mazda CX-9 Preview

Interior Features

The base CX-9 Sport comes with cloth-trimmed seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, power windows and locks, AM/FM/CD/MP3-compatible stereo with 6 speakers, a 5.8-inch color touch-screen display, USB audio input port, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming capability, HD Radio, Pandora Internet radio connectivity, and SMS text message audio delivery and reply. The Touring trim level adds leather-trimmed seats (black or sand) in the first and second rows, with heated front seats (8-way adjustable on the driver's side, with power-adjustable lumbar support, and 4-way adjustable on the passenger side). The CX-9 Grand Touring adds memory to the driver's-side power adjustments, plus Mazda's proprietary keyless entry and ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and bordeaux accent interior trim. The Mazda CX-9 provides 101.1 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded flat.

Optional Features

Many of the upgrades offered on the upper trim levels are available as options (usually packaged) on the lower trims. Exterior options at various trim levels of the CX-9 include roof rails, sunroof, power tailgate, and upgraded wheels and lights. Interior options include a navigation system, rear-seat entertainment system, premium Bose surround-sound system, and a rearview camera.

Under the Hood

The Mazda CX-9's standard power plant is a 3.7-liter V-6 engine rated at 273 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque and mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift controls. With proper equipment, the CX-9 can tow as much as 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Mazda CX-9 are:

• CX-9 with FWD: 17/24/19 mpg (city/highway/combined)
• CX-9 with AWD: 16/22/18 mpg

Safety

Standard safety features of note on the 2013 Mazda CX-9 include anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, front side air bags, and side curtain air bags. Also standard is E911 automatic emergency notification. The Touring trim level adds a rearview backup camera, rear backup sensors, and a blind-spot monitoring system. An alarm system is standard with the Grand Touring trim level.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the 2013 Mazda CX-9 receives 3 (out of 5) stars for front-impact protection, 5 stars for side protection, 4 stars for rollover protection, and 4 stars overall. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Mazda CX-9 a "Good" rating--the Institute's highest--in frontal-offset tests, and "Marginal" ratings for roof strength and rear-impact protection.