2007 Mazda CX-9 

" width="193" height="254" border="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 10px;"/>Ignoring the big, boxy standards of traditional SUVs, Mazda’s seven-passenger CX-9 marks the dawn of a new era. A crossover sport-utility designed specifically for couples and families who want to drive a stylish, smart vehicle that fits their lifestyles, the CX-9 combines the practicality of an SUV with the outstanding performance and luxury of a sports car. It has a powerful 263 HP 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 6-speed transmission for optimum acceleration and passing performance. And its exterior is certain to stun.

The CX-9’s smooth, flowing silhouette gives way to aggressive fenders, an athletic bumper, and a perfectly proportioned tail. And with 20" wheels and a steeply angled windshield, the CX-9 exudes the inertia of a sporty coupe. But with one of the longest wheelbases in its segment, the CX-9 is also pure comfort in all three rows. The second and third rows easily fold flat for ample cargo space, but even when the third row is occupied, the CX-9 still affords 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space. And the high-quality craftsmanship can be seen everywhere from the subtly illuminated, blacked-out instrument panel to the soft trim and delicate stitching.

The advanced Mazda Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive system takes control of traction so the driver is always in control of the road. The active combination of the Dynamic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control systems study the CX-9’s movement so it is always aware of the road ahead. Plus a set of six sensor-activated side-curtain airbags adds additional protection for passengers in every row.

The CX-9 is Mazda’s answer to the big, boring, boxy tradition of SUVs. It fits just right.

Exterior design.

" width="193" height="254" border="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 10px;"/>The CX-9 is a breakthrough in style, performance, and practicality – combining the soul of a sports car with the convenience of a 3-row Crossover SUV.

From the first look, the CX-9 makes a bold impression. Start with the sleek, sophisticated exterior styling. Then move on to luxurious details like chrome-accented dual exhaust pipes and available bright finish door handles, signature front grille and badges, and a sporty, steeply angled windshield.

Distinctive Details

" width="193" height="254" border="0" align="right" style="margin-left: 10px;"/> The CX-9 exudes style, but look closer and you’ll see it’s got substance to match: the stylish available HID Xenon low-beam headlights and LED tail lights are pure sophistication. Side and rear window privacy glass provides discretion while leaving people to admire the available 20” wheels that are sure to turn more than a few heads. And intelligent, rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated side mirrors promote safe travels regardless of weather.

Exterior styling a priority

Without sacrificing versatility or efficiency the Mazda CX-9 strives for a sophisticated appearance. Its smooth flowing silhouette, prominent wheels and tires, muscular fenders and steeply angled windshield give the CX-9 a dramatic-but-refined look.

The CX-9’s front end is unmistakably Mazda, with its elegantly sculpted sporty five-point grille and wide, bold bumper. A horizontal streak of chrome floats on the front grille bar, giving a distinctive and high quality feel. Side windows form a flowing, open and modern greenhouse, allowing clear vision from all seating positions. The unique trapezoid chrome exhaust pipe accentuates the fine detail put into the design.

Interior Design

The luxurious and spacious interior offers the best of both worlds. The boldly styled cockpit features electroluminescent gauges with additional blue indirect lighting on the GT model. Available finely crafted leather seating and wood tone details represent the height of style and sophistication. The third row affords easy-access seating, comfortably accommodating up to seven people. The rear rows can be effortlessly folded down for more cargo. In the CX-9 everyone rides in style, from the driver’s seat all the way back to the third row.

Space to stretch

The Mazda CX-9 rides on a 2875mm wheelbase, one of the longest among intermediate crossover utility vehicles, providing ample legroom for everyone and easy access to its third row seat. There’s ample room for adults in every seating position and sufficient cargo space to accommodate modern families. Under the sleek exterior is an interior that will impress demanding customers with its space, utility, versatility, and premium features.

To ease accommodations for drivers of any size the driver’s seat and steering column have a wide range of adjustments. The 60/40 split second row seat carries three people in comfort and offers 120mm of fore-and-aft slide travel and a reclining backrest. In the 50/50 split third row, the seating position and leg room are both class-leading in measurement, and comfort. Entry to the third row is easy, with nearly 650mm of access space between the folded second-row seat and the C-pillar. Even with the third row occupied, the CX-9 provides 487 litres of cargo capacity, eclipsing many large sedan trunks. Both second- and third-row seats fold flat to allow additional storage all the way up to the back of the front seats.

Extra thought is invested in small details, such as how the CX-9’s seat releases are designed. For example, releasing the second row seat in order to enter the third row requires only one simple hand motion to unlatch the seat and move it forward. Likewise, a clever strap attached behind the third row seat’s backrest serves as both a release for folding the seat and a means of pulling it back erect again.

Interior styling stands out

Once inside the CX-9, the driver is greeted by a neatly organized combination of cylindrical shapes and blacked-out instruments on a T-shaped instrument panel. Brightly edged gauges with metal-look trim and indirect blue illumination set a cool mood. Indirect lighting also is embedded in the front and rear door trim and ceiling for a warm glow. Horizontal elements in areas such as the centre panel, door trim and seat design intersect with vertical accents to create the same harmony present in fine furniture.

Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship

Interior craftsmanship and attention to detail is visible everywhere. Soft trim is elegantly configured and constructed of top-quality materials and seats have an inviting yet sporty look and feel appropriate to this type of vehicle. The dash panel houses large, clearly marked entertainment and climate controls. Delicate stitching and the metallic look of the floating door handles reveal the designer’s fine eye for detail.

In every Mazda lives the soul of a sports car. A powerful 263 horsepower, 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine provides the exhilarating acceleration that all true enthusiasts crave. The nimble Macpherson strut front suspension gives you absolute confidence as you negotiate even the most demanding curves. And the smooth 6-Speed Sport automatic transmission always keeps you in perfect gear, from the wide-open road to city stop and go. Sporty. Athletic. Fun-to-drive. In a word? Zoom-Zoom.

Energetic and refined powertrain

An all new 263-horsepower, 3.5-litre, V6 engine has been engineered to provide the muscle to move the CX-9 with authority.

The new 60-degree short-stroke V6 is state-of-the-art throughout. Advanced features include a die-cast aluminium block with cast-in iron cylinder liners and aluminium cylinder heads to minimize weight. The valvetrain includes chain-driven dual overhead camshafts for minimal maintenance, four valves-per-cylinder with direct acting bucket-type actuators, and variable intake valve timing. A high 10.3:1 compression ratio maximizes efficiency and power output while the throttle is electronically controlled for quick response. Two close-coupled catalytic converters cleanse the exhaust without inhibiting power.

A power peak of 263 horsepower at 6250 rpm provides the CX-9 with quick acceleration and passing performance. Torque rises from 3000 to 6000rpm and peaks at 249 lb/ft at 4500 rpm. Regular fuel (87 octane) is suitable for use in the CX-9 without power loss.

Transmission

While six-speed automatic transmissions have until now been exclusive to premium-priced SUVs, the CX-9 provides that desirable feature as standard equipment.

To combine excellent acceleration and high fuel economy, the CX-9 includes an Aisin-supplied six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode as standard equipment. Broad ratios maximize flexibility by providing enthusiastic launch acceleration with quiet cruising. The top two gears are both overdrive ratios, assuring excellent fuel economy while driving on the highway.

Drive

Front-wheel drive is standard on the Mazda CX-9 and delivers excellent drivability, with Mazda’s Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive optionally available.

Originally developed for the high-performance MAZDASPEED6, this system rapidly adjusts to changing traction needs by monitoring wheel slippage, steering angle, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, and available driveline torque. In normal driving, 100-percent of the driving torque is delivered to the front wheels. During aggressive acceleration or when one front wheel is on the verge of slipping a controlled percentage of the available torque is directed to the rear axle. A power take-off device integrated with the CX-9’s transaxle spins a drive shaft attached to an active coupling built into the rear differential. Commanded by a control module, the servo-controlled multi-plate coupling can route up to 50-percent of the available torque to the rear wheels.

Sure-footed chassis

The stiff unibody of the Mazda CX-9 provides a sound foundation for a poised ride and agile handling. Computer-aided-engineering analysis was used to optimize this structure, delivering high torsional and bending rigidity with minimal weight. Extra laser welds and adhesive weld bonding have been applied in critical areas for enhanced stiffness. Damping sheets applied to floor areas and acoustic foam filler added to body cavities assure a quiet, high quality cabin environment.

In front, the perimeter frame mounted to the unibody through six rubber isolators supports the powertrain, the engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering, and a low friction strut-type suspension system using coil springs. The multilink rear suspension consists of one trailing arm and two lateral locating members per side. To minimize cargo-compartment intrusion and permit a wider load space, the rear coil spring is positioned between the lower lateral member and the unibody. A damper is located as close as possible to each rear wheel to provide excellent motion control with minimal friction. Anti-roll bars at each end maximize agility and control during assertive driving.

Wheels

Twenty-inch, V-rated, low-profile radial tires (P245/50R-20) are standard equipment on the top GT model while GS editions roll on P245/60R-18 tires. As a result, CX-9 looks and feels unusually nimble for its size and is the clear class leader for driving pleasure.

Safety with advanced technology

The Mazda CX-9’s safety features are highlighted by an advanced Roll Stability Control (RSC) system that uses both body-roll rate and wheel speed sensors to determine when corrective action is necessary. A momentary torque reduction, combined with an automatic brake application, assists in restoring the CX-9 to an even keel.

Four-wheel disc ventilated brakes include an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) to prevent lockup during emergency use. When excessive wheel slippage is detected, a Traction Control System (TCS) automatically reduces driveline torque to help restore traction. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) reduces driveline torque and automatically applies one or more brakes to minimize under- or over-steer during emergency manoeuvres.

Additional protection is provided by sensor-activated side-curtain airbags which extend from the first to the third row. These inflatable restraints deploy in the event of a lateral collision or a rollover to reduce the likelihood of injury and limb or head ejection. Inflation is maintained for approximately six seconds for maximum effectiveness, although the only way these systems work properly is when used in combination with seatbelts. Pretensioner devices automatically remove slack from the belt system immediately after a moderate frontal collision and load limiters are incorporated to provide some give as the occupant moves forward. All CX-9 headrests incorporate new design features that have proven effective reducing neck injuries during rear impacts.

CX-9’s robust unibody uses the Mazda Advanced Impact-Energy Distribution and Absorption System (MAIDAS) to help protect its cabin from deformation harm in the event of a collision. A combination of large-section members, some made from high-tensile steel, envelope the passenger compartment to absorb impact energy while guarding against intrusion.