What Europeans would think of as large SUVs, but which to Americans are only a sort of mid-size offering, are big sellers in the North American market, and pretty much every volume and premium manufacturer has an offering which means that there is a lot of competition for what, let’s be honest is a practical but still manageable-sized vehicle that can accommodate up to 7 people and lots of luggage (though not generally all the people and all the luggage at the same time). Over the years I’ve driven quite a lot of them, as these vehicles are a staple of the rental fleets, and if I am being brutally honest, few of them are that appealing to drive, and they tend to be quite generic to look at. Definitely a vehicle to buy with your head and not your heart, especially the high-volume selling models. One model stood out for me when I first drove it in 2009 and impressed me, if anything, even more with a reacquaintance in 2016, was the Mazda CX-9. Not only did it look good, but it was genuinely good to drive in a way that most of its rivals were not. By the time of that test, a second generation CX-9 had been launched, with production starting in February 2016. The overall concept of the first generation model carried forward but this was an all-new design using the SkyActiv platform and engines, with new engines and the latest tech and safety features included. The new exterior design followed Mazda’s Kodo design philosophy. The second generation CX-9 was actually shorter than before, but with a longer wheelbase, resulting in shorter front and rear overhangs and weight was also down. Needless to say, I was rather hoping that the car would appear in the rental fleets and I would get the chance to sample one, but Mazda don’t supply large numbers of cars to the likes of Hertz, so it’s taken until now to be able to source one. I had spotted a few of CX-9 models on site in Los Angeles and Phoenix during 2022 but they always seem to elude me, allocated to someone else. Finally the chance came when I was waiting at the Phoenix facility to see if the next car to be brought up and made available to rent would be more interesting than the limited supply that was there, and lo, a CX-9 popped up. I grabbed the keys before anyone else had the same idea. It turned out to be a 2021 model year car in Touring spec.

All second generation CX-9 models come with a 2.5 litre turbo, putting out 227 bhp, or a little more if you feed it premium (91 octane) fuel, as opposed to the silky V6 that was in the first generation car. This is one of Mazda’s innovative SkyActiv engines, and on the whole it does a good job. There’s a surprisingly interesting note to it when starting an accelerating and the engine does a good job at making this large machine feel quite lively, with a quoted 0-60 time of 7.6 seconds, which is brisk for the class. Standard is a very smoothly operating six speed automatic transmission, no manual alternative being offered and the test car had drive to all four wheels, though this is a cost option over the regular front wheel drive models. The engine is perhaps not quite as quiet as some at freeway speed, but this is still a refined unit, and few will have much to complain in terms of how the CX-9 performs. I covered 412 miles during the time I had this Mazda and it needed 15.45 gallons to refill it, which works out at 26.67 mpg US or 31.59 mpg Imperial, a commendable result for a large car.

My expectations were high that this CX-9 would prove to be more engaging to drive than other large 7-seater SUVs. I was not disappointed. Mazda seem to have found a way to make a large car that belies its size, that has steering which has plenty of feel and perfect weighting and yet which is still easy to manoeuvre when parking and at slow speeds. The handling is tidy and you feel more confident in tackling twisty roads with some zeal here than you would with probably any of its direct rivals. Grip is plentiful and body roll is negligible. The test car came on relatively large but quite high profile 255/55 R20 wheels and yet the ride was good, coping with a variety of road surfaces with aplomb, far from feeling wallowy, this car feels firm enough without being punishing. Visibility forwards ad the side is about as good as you get from ay modern car, but I did find that the view out the back was pretty limited if the 3^rd row was erect. However, there is a surround camera and all-round parking sensors to help when in tight spaces and there is a Blind Spot Warning system which is useful when on the move. The Lane Keep Assist feature was easily turned off.

As well as making affordable cars that are good to drive, recent Mazda have also excelled in the quality of their interiors, and the CX-9 is no exception. This could easily pass for a premium-badged car. The overall design of the CX-9 is neat, and there is lots of leather on the dash and door casings. Even the gunmetal inlays look better than you find most other cars, and of course there is a leather-wrapped steering wheel which is a nice and chunky without being overly fat, BMW-style. The instrument cluster contains three traditional analogue dials, with the central speedometer slightly larger than the outer rev counter and combined dial for water temperature and fuel level. Trip data is shown the circumference of the speedometer. Two chunky column stalks take of indicators, wipers and lights these last two both having an auto function. There are quite a lot of buttons on the steering column boss, for cruise and audio repeaters as well as trip computer selections, but they are neatly presented and easy to use. The infotainment screen is mounted high on the top of the dash where it is easy to see. It is not a touch screen, so you operate it using a turn wheel and buttons in the centre console, which is preferable for many functions, certainly any you use whilst on the move. There is XM Satellite radio and Apple Car Play and Android Auto are supported but in the spec of the test car although the menus suggested navigation, this feature needs an SD card which was not supplied. Lower in the centre of the dash are the controls for the tri-zone automated control.

Seat trim is leather, and it is of decent quality. Adjustment of both front seats is all-electric and there is q wide range of movement. Couple in a telescoping steering wheel and it is easy to get the perfect driving position. There is quite a feeling of space here and the seats proved very comfortable. Both front seats have a heating feature in Touring trim, and there is also heating for the steering wheel.

Top spec versions of the CX-9 have two individual captain’s chair style seats but in the spec of the test car, you get a bench, which will easily seat three people. There is ample leg room even with the front seats set well back, and headroom is abundant.  Occupants here get a central drop-down armrest with cup holders in the upper surface and there are map pockets on the back of the front seats and bins on the doors for odds and ends. They also have their own climate control setting. The seats tilt and tip forward to allow for access to the third row. As with most cars of this size, you need to be quite agile to be able to get in and out, and once installed there’s not really that much space, or comfort. The two rear seats here really are best thought of as suitable for children, though adults could undertake short journeys without too much discomfort. There are stowage wells and cupholders in the side mouldings here.

Like so many three-row cars, the boot space is pretty limited if all the seats are erect. There’s really not a lot of room here unless you fold seats down, an easy process which then gives you plenty of space. The resulting load area is completely flat. Inside the passenger cabin there is a good-sized glovebox, a useful central armrest cubby, bins on the doors and a recess in front of the gearlever which should be enough for most people.

For 2021, the Mazda CX-9 lineup expands by one trim level. The new Carbon Edition drops into the lineup above the base Sport and midlevel Touring grades and below the upscale Grand Touring and near-luxury Signature trims. All C-X9-models come with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (227 bhp and 310 lb/ft of torque or 250 bhp and 320 lb/ft with premium fuel, six-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Sport is the entry level trim and the spec is quite generous including 18-inch alloy wheels; Automatic LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation; Heated side mirrors; Rain-sensing windshield wipers; Power-adjustable driver’s seat; Heated front seats; Second-row bench seat (seven-passenger seating); Triple-zone automatic climate control; 10.25-inch infotainment system display including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Every CX-9 also comes with: Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go operation, Forward collision mitigation, Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and Lane keeping assist. The Mazda CX-9 Touring builds on Sport equipment with: Keyless ignition and entry; Leather seats; Power-adjustable front passenger seat; Auto-dimming rearview mirror; Rear USB ports and a power rear liftgate. Optional for the Touring is a Touring Premium package. It adds a 12-speaker premium sound system and Satellite radio, Wireless smartphone charging, a Sunroof. Second-row window shades and Front and rear parking sensors. New for 2021, the Mazda CX-9 Carbon Edition includes the contents of the Touring Premium package, plus: Exclusive Polymetal Gray paint, red leather seats and interior trim; Dark-finish grille and 20-inch wheels; Adaptive headlights; Windshield wiper de-icer system; Power-folding side mirrors; Power-adjustable driver’s seat; Ventilated front seats; Heated steering wheel; Heated rear seats; Second-row captain’s chairs; Wireless device charging pad; Driver attention warning and Rear automatic braking. The Grand Touring loses the Carbon Edition’s cosmetic exclusives but gains: Hands-free liftgate; Integrated navigation system; Head-up display; Traffic sign recognition system and a Surround-view camera system. Aiming to deliver luxury, the Mazda CX-9 Signature is equipped with all-wheel drive, an exclusive grille design and finish with LED lighting, premium quilted leather upholstery with piping, real wood interior trim and second-row captain’s chairs with centre console.

I had high expectations for the CX-9 and I was not disappointed. About the only weakness is the relative lack of space in the third row and the resulting small boot if all seats are erect, but the solution to this generally involves creating a bigger car and that might be a place buyers do not want to go to unless they regularly carry 7 people. Accept this and you have a car which I think is probably the best looking in the class and almost certainly the best to drive that also offers a near-premium quality interior.  It’s no wonder that the CX-9 has regularly won comparison tests conducted by the US press. It’s slightly surprising, therefore, to see that sales of this car are significantly lower than those of many of its direct rivals, but then I say that about every Mazda I drive where it is a much more appealing product than say a Nissan or Toyota but the market just does not see it that way. It’s hard to understand why. There aren’t many CX-9s in the rental fleets, so sourcing one may be difficult, but if you see one, and are looking for a car of this size, I’d say it’s the one you should ask for without hesitation.