Mazda CX-9 test drive since 2007 SUV

Mazda CX-9. The return of the flagship

In 2008, the flagship model of the Mazda large CX-9 crossover debuted in the Russian market. Then the naked financial crisis prevented nine, the sales turned already in 2009. And it seemed that the CX-9 would not return to us. But, as you know, last year the Japanese stopped the CX-7 production, so only CX-5 remained in the range. The car was well accepted by our compatriots, but what about those to whom the five is not enough? The answer is one return CX-9 to Russia! And then restyling arrived ... A great reason for dating, which took place in Turkey. Mazda CX-9 has solid dimensions. Length 5096 mm, width 1936 mm, height 1728 mm. The wheelbase is 2875 mm. The clearance of 204 mm the main differences from the previous nine will not have to be seen with a magnifying glass in the hands of the CX-9 received a new muzzle made in the key concept of Kodo (the soul of movement). The pentagonal grille of the radiator is emphasized by a spectacular chrome line in the form of wings that end with LED sections of daytime running lights. The headlights themselves, of course, were also updated. The front bumper has changed, and the festivities became round. In general, a completely different face! The updated Mazda CX-9 debuted at a car dealership in Sydney in October 2012 and very promptly reached the Russian market, but the successful stern, on the contrary, practically did not touch the trapezoid exhaust pipes replaced with round and more spectacular steel rear lights (also received LEDs). Plus a couple of new colors and 20-inch wheels. And the Mazda CX-9 finally got the rear parking sensors. The former cars did not have it, which looked very strange, given the flagship status and the dimensions of the CX-9 length of more than five meters! This time, Mazda did not repeat past mistakes and offers in Russia exclusively the top execution of nine with a full set of equipment. So, the basic equipment for the Russian market includes a complete set of airbags, a leather salon, bixenon headlights, a three-zone climate, front seats (driver’s driver’s driver), cruise control, light and rain sensors, comfortable non-cloth access, motorized trunk door, multimedia access. A 5.8 -inch with a USB, AUX input with a touch screen with a touch screen, an IPOD connector and a Bluetooth protocol, and a rear view camera (in addition to parking radars). At the same time, the price of such a machine is 1,919,000 rubles. This is exactly 1 thousand rubles cheaper than the popular Toyota Highlander crossover in a similar configuration (though without xenon and on 19-inch wheels). Mazda CX-9 is available in two interior decoration versions. On the left, the salon with beige skin (seats and door panels), on the right is completely black (with alcantara on the doors). Alas, during the update, the designers could not get rid of a small display at the top of the central console Red backlight in no way fit with the white scale of the devices and the color screen of the multimedia complex is also additional equipment in the form of two sets of options. The first package (50,000 rubles) includes navigation and 10 speakers of BOSE, and the second (for 125,000 rubles), in addition to the transferred, adds a hatch with an electric drive and a scattering of the driver's electronic assistants. These are systems of control of dead zones, lanes, warnings about the occurrence of an obstacle in front and automatic control of the headlight of the headlights. The coloring of the metalline will require another 10 thousand rubles. In addition, Mazda CX-9 received a modified interior. In addition to the already mentioned multimedia complex, the updated car has another unit of separate climate control (plus display for the rear passengers). And the new instrument shield with contrasting white lighting scales and two screens replaced the former New Year tree. The door panels are now covered with Alcantara, and massive vertical inserts acquired a noble burgundy color instead of a tree. Replaced the lever of an automatic checkpoint. The device with white lighting is beautiful and informative. The climate control works without complaints, the rear installation is turned on with a separate button if necessary. The gearbox does not have a sports regime, but, in fact, it does not need it. But the manual algorithm here is correct and logical: down from itself, up to yourself! But the Six-speed Aisin box and the engine remained the same under the hood of the CX-9, a gasoline atmospheric V6 with a volume of 3.7 liters, which develops 277 horses and 367 N ∙ m of torque, is working. Not at least for a two -ton car? We had to find out during the almost 500-kilometer trip from Antalya to Bodrum. The route was good not only delightful views in mountainous areas, but also by a variety of roads. There are city streets, and highways, and serpentines, and even the quality of the asphalt varies noticeably. A great opportunity to evaluate the suspension and power unit! The CX-9 salon is incredibly spacious! Moreover, the mid-row chairs can be independently moved back and forth, thereby increasing the place on the gallery or trunk in the city of the capabilities of the motor, you rush for your eyes calmly under the pleasant rumble of the V-shaped six, the box shifts the transmission smoothly. There will be no problems and with sharp accelerations the machine quickly throws the steps, and the engine after 4 thousand revolutions marks noticeably, as if gaining a second wind. Of course, two tons of equipped mass is a serious handicap that prevents Mazde from getting out of 10 seconds in acceleration to hundreds (according to a passport 10.1), but hardly anyone will be engaged in the wheel of CX-9 traffic lights. The main thing is that the 277-horsepower V6 allows you to confidently overtake on the highway, so the long road becomes much easier and more pleasant. Moreover, on the go, Mazda is by no means perceived by a huge car of the dimensions are felt perfectly, as if you are going on an ordinary passenger car. The trunk volume can be increased from 278 liters (in the seven -seater layout) to 1911 liters, if both back rows are folded. In the photo on the left, a 928-liter hold in a five-seater version of the highway here is the element CX-9! The machine surprisingly soothes and sets up for a measured ride. The back of the chair a little back, the cruise control per 100 km/h. And then it remains only to enjoy the views. And only the abrasive Turkish asphalt does not allow to relax to the end the noise from the wide tires becomes dominant in the SALS CLA. It is worth getting to the site with a new coating, how silence reigns again inside, but how many smooth roads in Russia? Fuel consumption at medium speeds (100-120 km/h) remains moderate in the region of 11 l/100 km. With a 76-liter tank, autonomy is about 700 km. In the city, the consumption, of course, will not drop below 16-17 l/100 km. And most of all the V6 consumes on mountain serpentines on the ascents it has to be constantly twisted. Although the CX-9 chassis copes with a similar test. Yes, in hairpins, she slips out at harmless speeds and the Bridgestone Duler tire does not very contribute to the rapid passage of steep turns. The stabilization system does not allow to hooligate, it turns off only up to 50 km/h. But CX-9 spells the running turns with zeal, which you do not expect from a two-ton seven-seater crossover! It is clearly not enough to get used to the empty steering wheel of information content, you have to go through the eyes, and not feelings. The first few kilometers you pass stepped steps, not a single arc, you have to expand the radius, then vice versa. But you adapt quickly to this. Mazda CX-9 was developed primarily for the American market, so such habits are not surprised. So all the agility in fast arches is the merit of the chassis. The rolls are small with adjustment to the size of the machine, the reaction is always unambiguous and reliable, the CX-9 does not present unpleasant surprises on winding roads. True, there is also the reverse side of the medal of the smoothness at low speeds leaves much to be desired, the suspension is harsh. Why is this a huge family crossover? Apparently, the engineers had to take this step to avoid swing on the waves (especially at full load). But with the energy consumption of problems, no no one can safely overtake on the pins and thereby get rid of shaking. There are no hints of flared up racks, the car clearly follows a given course and does not jump from a bump to a bump. Only take care of the wheels large pits will hardly leave 20-inch tires alive. It can be safely stated that the return of the CX-9 will be more successful than its debut output. The crisis in the automotive market in Russia seems to be left behind, and the class of full -sized crossovers is gaining momentum. And the chance of a piece of cake at Mazda has become noticeably larger. In the pluses of the Japanese (CX-9 is produced there) a wide set of equipment and a truly huge salon! Moreover, the third row of seats can be folded if it is not needed, and get a giant trunk. She would still be softer ... You can evaluate the changes in these photos. On the left, the former Mazda CX-9, on the right, updated Vadim Gagarin photo of Mazda alternative to competitors at the Mazda CX-9, there is plenty! The main rivals in the Russian representative office are considered by Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer, but we included several more all -wheel drive cars with 4.75 meters long, with a seven -seater salon and powerful gasoline engines (from 235 hp). Toyota Highlander Highlander with a 273-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is sold in Russia very well in 2012, 11,281 cars were sold. And not so long ago, Toyota began supplying Highlander in a simplified configuration of comfort (1,690,000 rubles) with a five -seater salon, which should spraise demand. The seven -seater option is available only with prestige execution for 1,920,000 rubles. The top version of Lux costs 1,976,000 rubles, but it is strange that Highlander for this money is deprived of even such ordinary things as xenon headlights or rain sensor! Honda Pilot and another Japanese crossover, Honda Pilot, can only dream of only 1489 cars for the entire last year about the results of Toyota. Cause? Either the design, or high Pilot prices in the basic configuration costs 1,799,000 rubles, and the richly equipped Pilot Executive with the navigation system is already pulling 2,109,000 rubles. True, like Toyota Highlander, he is also devoid of xenon headlights and rain sensor. But especially for our market, a 3.5-liter gasoline V6 was certified by 249 hp. Savings on taxes! Ford Explorer spectacular American was sold well last year with the result of 2058 Explorer cars ahead of the Honda Pilot and Hyundai IX55. Prices start with 1,798,000 rubles for a well-equipped Explorer XLT, and the most expensive Ford with 20-inch wheels, ventilation of seats, navigation system and adaptive cruise is estimated at 2,077,000 rubles. 3.5-liter V6 engine with a capacity of 294 horsepower. Hyundai IX55 Korean crossover sold sluggishly in 2012, 1525 cars were sold. Hyundai IX55 with a gasoline V6 volume of 3.8 liters (260 hp) is available only in the most expensive Luxury+Navi for 2 019 900 rubles, which includes xenon headlights, electric drives of everything and the whole, navigation system, 18-inch system wheels, hatch, leather salon and other mandatory options for this class. Kia Mohave another Korean giant is noteworthy primarily by the fact that it has a frame structure and a lowering gear! True, judging by sales (1284 cars), this is no longer so important for Russians. Mohave with a 275-horsepower gasoline engine with a volume of 3.8 liters is offered in one rich configuration of Premium for 1,919,000 rubles. Chevrolet Trailblazer newcomer to the Russian market with a 239-horsepower V6 with a volume of 3.6 liters and automatically is offered in seven-seater design for 1,777,000 rubles. But the car is simple xenon headlights, there is only a single-zone climate control, only 4 airbags and no excesses like a navigation system or various electronic assistants of the driver. What will be the demand for Chevrolet Trailblazer, we will find out by the end of the year. Dodge Journey is also worth the Dodge Journey, which fits into this concept. The drive is complete, the clearance is 197 mm. A gasoline V6 with a volume of 3.6 liters gives out 280 horses. Everything converges. But at the same time, Journey is noticeably cheaper than all of the listed competitors from 1,599,525 rubles. For a seven -seater layout and rear parking sensors with a camera you will have to pay another 60 thousand. True, xenon headlights and rain sensor for Journey are also not offered. However, it was hardly that this fact influenced the fate of the model of only 152 cars sold by the absence of xenon.

Source: Auto.mail.ru