Faults:

Nothing (however it is still quite new).

General Comments:

The CX-9 looks very good, especially from the front.

The engine is strong but unobtrusive and pulls off a great impression of a much larger unit. The turbo provides instant low rpm torque and the powertrain never feels strained.

This thing handles way better than it has any right to. The steering is light and direct, and gives a surprisingly good feel for the road. It doesn't lean excessively and it feels composed when being pushed.

The Signature trim package really makes a big difference in the feel of the vehicle. Signature trim items include beautiful color matched Nappa leather seating surfaces, hand stitched leather steering wheel, brutally effective ventilated seats, great sound system, real wood trim, LED lights and lit grille (looks great at night) and dark gray matte finish 20" rims.

It is very quiet and comfortable, and I like that there aren't a ton of these on the road.

We compared to Explorer (very expensive for a much more basic model, even without AWD), Pilot (very appliance like and chunky, if well built), 4Runner (so outdated it's just a running joke), Highlander (yawn), Telluride (everybody forgets no hydraulic lifters in Hyundai/Kia, don't get unlucky with the valve adjustment or else you will pay) and chose the Mazda for a combination of features. The biggest was the fact that it really felt like a step up in terms of build quality and features, particularly in the interior.

Give Mazda a chance, they really make some great cars.

Faults:

Nothing :)

General Comments:

If numbers are your game, shop elsewhere.

Here we are with a 2+ton, 3-row SUV with a 4 cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission - in 2020. The penalty of that mix surfaces with acceleration and fuel economy stats are not class-leading, but are in the ballpark, and they're not a problem in the real world. The subjective impression from the driver's seat is diesel-like torque. The transmission doesn't have 10 ratios, but you don't find yourself wishing for them either, given the flexibility of the engine. The engine does not have to resort to high RPM to fulfill the basic requirements of propelling the vehicle through everyday life. The engine turns just under 1900 RPM @ 60 MPH and it is a flexible, sustainable RPM level that can handle travel over hill and dale without downshifts, even with a load of passengers. There is a trade off between good EPA fuel economy numbers that allay the fears of Middle-Management via an over-optimized, clumsy 8/9/10-speed transmission, and vehicle that is pleasant for the customer to drive. The powertrain matching this vehicle exudes is a sign of engineering excellence. It's as if they want repeat customers ;)

Mazda is very accommodating of buyers of different stripes. An example is the allowance of owners using 87 octane fuel with a 4 cylinder direct-injected turbocharged engine despite simultaneously allowing a 3500 pound tow rating with a 4300-pound-plus vehicle. Another nice accommodation is not mandating synthetic motor oil despite the above heavy workload. Other manufacturers with turbocharged engines demand synthetic oil to cover up mediocre engine thermal management. Again, this is evidence that Mazda still employs the best and brightest engineers - and lets them have a voice in product development. The customer wins.

The handling is alert for such a heavy/high center of gravity vehicle. Straight line directional stability is good, and body roll is well contained in turns. The ride is not bad, given the decent handling. The brakes work well, with good pedal feel, modulation, and stopping power. Again, engineering was allowed to do their job well.

One of your first impressions getting inside is that the interior brims with soft but durable touch surfaces that are built for the long haul. Surfaces shine and shimmer, the piano black surfaces wow on the test drive, but does tend to get smudged easily. The interior is roomy in the 1st and 2nd rows - better than some of the more popular competition. Having said that, the center console is intrusively wide in the driver's/front passengers foot wells, and the 3rd row is best suited to smaller people. The lift gate is more complex to operate than it needs to be.

Speaking of complexity, the electronics are acceptable, but not on par with the rest of the car - a definite problem with the under-40 crowd. The rear backup camera is OK in dry weather, with acceptable-but-not-good resolution. When it rains, raindrops obscure your view to the point that it is rendered useless. The Bose sound system is good, but not what you might expect from such an esteemed name. It is a bit bass-heavy in the modern tradition, and its power is only OK. Bose has transitioned from from a once dominant product (rightfully) to a ubiquitous brand. The infotainment system is OK, but not particularly intuitive. You will cycle through many taps and clicks to navigate to Music, Navigation, and assorted vehicle settings. Tapping the reasonably large touch screen display may or may not produce the results the BMW-like console knob will do with consistency. There needs to be a coordination between the two.

The climate control works unobtrusively, and is (thankfully) separate from the above infotainment system.

The exterior styling is quite pleasant. Paint quality and a rattle-free structure are nice bonuses.

Having said all of this, it is a very nice vehicle to live with, with a focus on Customer Pleasing Results vs. Middle-Management Assuaging Metrics. Given the myriad of ambitious-but-quirky electronic servants it employs, we're hoping it is reliable in the long haul :)