Review of 2nd generation Mazda CX9

The cross over Sports Utility Vehicle segment has a few movers and shakers and the Mazda CX9 is certainly stirring things up and turning up the heat on competition.
Globally and here in Uganda, most crossover SUV buyers have a few quests in mind when they walk into a car showroom such as cutting edge new looks, versatility between the urban life and outdoor fun, family comfort and modern features.
One of the hottest new entrants in this SUV segment is the 2nd generation 2016 Mazda CX9. Mazda’s Japanese builders have redesigned it from the plain 1st generation crossover SUV, which run between 2006 and 2015, to a car with pretty looks both inside and out.
It has an enviable performance, that helped it to beat competition such as Audi A4 and Mercedes Benz E class during the recent 2017 prestigious and hard-to-win Wheels Car of the Year award.

Looks don’t lie
Mazda CX9’s new face has the overtones of adventure in space age. The deep wide front grille is carefully blended with the Chinese eye head lights and subtly sharp trapezoid curves of the air dams in the well chiseled bumper.
The first impression you get is that the CX9 has bold design cues, suitable for an urban and adventurous family lifestyle.

Furniture and seating room
The CX9’s clever compact design provides a spacious leather upholstery interior with comfortable leg, shoulder and head room on a three row seven seat configuration.
The interior has a creative modern mix of leather, wood trim and chrome plating. Behind the steering wheel, a touch of the car start button brings to life an expensive array of smartly arranged chrome spurts, dials and knobs as well as LED bright dials in the instrument cluster.
You are treated to the Mazda Connect infotainment system which provides an eight inch touchscreen with blue tooth connectivity and audio DVD music streaming all delivered with fidelity via the Bose speaker and bass bin system. A heads up display beams car status to the lower part of the windscreen.

Performance and handling
The 2016 Mazda CX9 comes with a revolutionary force-fed four-cylinder 2.5 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine. This efficient, yet punchy power plant, uses an innovative dynamic pressure turbo and an exhaust scavenging system to vary the degree of exhaust pulsation depending on the engine speed.
Mazda recommends premium 93 RON high octane fuel (Shell V-Power) for the engine to deliver 250 horse power, use of regular low octane fuel delivers 227 horse power. This SUV is fun to drive because it has crisp handling and a responsive steering with a firm balanced road grip.
These attributes are tied well with the 6-speed automatic transmission and punchy turbo charged engine, promising to deliver sheer driving pleasure on the new Ugandan asphalt highways.

Safety
Mazda builds safety and more safety in the CX9. On top of the standard safety features such as passenger air bags all round, CX9 comes with an array of active driver safety enhancing features such as; advanced blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control, lane keep assist and departure control, obstruction warning and smart brake control, distance recognition support among others.

Damage to your pocket
This car will cost you $45,000 (Shs162m). Maintenance of a new car would be affordable as you should be changing oils and filters for the first five years, save the occasional tyres and bulbs. Parts support and maintenance can be provided by the local Mazda appointed dealer in Uganda.

FACT BOX
Mazda CX9 has won the 2017 Wheels car of the year award against high class competition from the likes of Audi A4 and Mercedes E class. It is a new with overtones of adventure in space age.

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