|
By
EWAN KENNEDY
24 March 2008
Though it’s nominally a Japanese vehicle, the Mazda CX-9 is
aimed very much at the American SUV market, not at its country of
origin. So it’s a large vehicle with good interior space and
plenty of punch from a large 3.7-litre V6 engine. Features that
will be appreciated by Australian owners.
Though the Mazda CX-9’s name would suggest it’s simply a
bigger Mazda CX-7, the CX-9 is designed for quite a different
market. Whereas the CX-7 is a sporty crossover, the CX-9 is
intended more for the family buyer. It has a 4WD system and can
certainly be used in light-duty running on forest trails, perhaps
even at the beach, but almost all owners will use it as a spacious
people mover.
Though it’s relatively boxy at the back, at the front Mazda's
designers have come up with plenty of style thanks to some clever
use of horizontal lines. And using a new evolution of the Mazda
five-point grille theme makes the front end look almost sleek and
sporting.
We came away from our week’s test of the big new Mazda most
impressed with the interior space. There's room for seven adults
without them being overly cramped, though four adults and three
children is more realistic. The centre seats can slide back and
forward to let you juggle the amount of legroom available in this
seat and the third row seats. With the centre seat in its rearmost
position there's almost limo-like legroom for its occupants.
The third row of seats fold flat very simply to give a useful
increase in luggage space, but even with the seats in use there's
still space for a couple of fair-sized suitcases.
Though it’s similar in overall dimensions to large 4WDs like
the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser the Mazda looks smaller
and less intimidating. This is an illusion to some extent and
parking it in tight spaces can be quite a feat at times. To its
credit, this big Mazda has a good turning circle for its class and
this can be a real help.
Mazda CX-9 is powered by a 3.7-litre V6 engine producing peak
power of 204 kW, and torque of 366 Nm at 4250 revs. While that
torque figure may seem to be at high rpm, the band is nicely
spread and the engine produces decent pulling power from 2000 rpm.
Fuel consumption is high. Even on easy paced country trips and
gentle motorway running you are unlikely to get the consumption
much below 11 litres per hundred kilometres. Traffic driving will
typically see figures of 15 to 18 litres per hundred. When driving
in twisty and hilly conditions petrol consumption on the wrong
side of 20 litres per hundred kilometres could be the norm. This
is verging on unacceptable in these times of concern over climate
change.
Road tests in Australia, carried out by our local as well as
Japanese engineers, prior to the vehicle’s launch have resulted
in changes that give it more dynamic settings and firmer steering
than the American models. However, it’s still relatively soft,
though steering feel isn’t bad for a big people mover and
there's little understeer until it’s going quite hard at bends.
Ride comfort is further enhanced by excellent NVH (Noise,
Vibration and Harshness) insulation and at highway speeds there's
the feeling you could drive all day and still come away feeling
nicely refreshed.
Mazda Australia has been pushing safety features hard for
several years now. So the CX-9 has electronic stability control
and rollover protection to help prevent crashes. As well as six
airbags should one become inevitable.
A reversing camera is a welcome installation in a large vehicle
with rather limited rearwards visions.
Mazda's new CX-9 comes at an attractive price that’s
significantly lower than that being predicted when it was shown at
the 2007 Melbourne Motor Show. That’s partly due to the
increasing value of our dollar against the Japanese yen, but the
strong position of Mazda in the Australian market gives the local
importer hefty bargaining power with the Japanese head office.
This healthy pricing means that Mazda has been able to sell the
upmarket CX-9 Luxury just under the luxury tax limit, with a
recommended retail price of $57,265.The CX-9 Classic slips below
the mental $50,000 barrier to retail for just $49,990. On-road
costs have to be added to these prices.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
CX-9 Classic 3.7-litre five-door wagon – $49,990
CX-9 Luxury 3.7-litre five-door wagon – $57,265
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in both models
Air Conditioning: Standard in both models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in both models
CD Player: Standard in both models
Central Locking: Standard in both models
Cruise Control: Standard in both models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in both models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in both models
Stability Control: Standard in both models
Traction Control: Standard in both models
SPECIFICATIONS (Mazda CX-9 Luxury 3.7-litre five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 3.726 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.3:1
Bore/Stroke: 95.5 x 86.7 mm
Maximum Power: 204 kW @ 6250 rpm
Maximum Torque: 366 Nm @ 4250 rpm
DRIVELINE:
4WD Type: Part-time
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.464:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5074 mm
Wheelbase: 2875 mm
Width: 1936 mm
Height: 1728 mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 2080 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 76 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (2000 kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts
Rear Suspension: Multi-link
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 91RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 13.0 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/unlimited km
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
