2008 Mazda CX-9 Consumer Reviews

Used CX-9 for family

Written by: Boogs SUV on 11/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Sport 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I bought this vehicle because my wife and I need a bigger car. I had a Toyota Matrix but with a car seat in the back made for a tight fit along with the stroller. We have had this suv for about 3 weeks now and love it. We have no complaints except for gas mileage. But can't do anything about that it's an SUV not a four cylinder. Also big BLIND SPOTS but fixed it with buying a wide rear view mirror.

Favorite Features

Lots of room and love that I can seat 7 people if I need too.

Suggested Improvements

How can a six speed vehicle get such bad gas mileage.

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Just a few missing parts

Written by: dragonphire on 11/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I have had less than sixty days but I am really luv'n this car. I flew to Chicago from NC to get it and drove it the 13 hours back the next day and was really impressed. There are a few things I would change like having auto door locks and trip computer. Yes the gas mileage stinks but not much worse than others I have driven. Real world is always different than EPA anyway. I have test driven every thing available in the segment and this is the best thing going.I drove the Flex, Highlander, Pilot and the GM trips as well as Audi, BMW and some others.

Favorite Features

Handling and ride, room, looks to die for seems pretty well built. None of my snobby neighbors have one.

Suggested Improvements

Trip computer, auto locking door locks, losing about 500 lbs for better gas mileage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great vehicle, skip the Nav

Written by: Mazda driver on 11/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Purchased top of the line with all features, Side view warning system terrific, back-up camera excellent, sat radio great, ride tight, excellent, pick up so so, space terrific. Nav is terrible. Enter "Walmart" and it sends you to a walmart in different state! Interface is horrible. Buy a Garmin instead.

Favorite Features

Drive experience. Comfortable cruiser, tight road response

Suggested Improvements

Totally redesign the nav.

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What a ride

Written by: Wyzby on 11/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

After owning a Lincoln Navigator and Honda CRV, what a treat to have a powerful yet nimble car to drive. It has the size and power but lacks the clumsy sloppy handling of other larger SUVs. We love the interior and its performance on winding roads is spectacular. Our minds were made up on another CRV but I am glad for the small difference we looked and bought the CX-9

Favorite Features

The electronics, the seat adjustments, the bluetooth and sound system are tops.

Suggested Improvements

I'd like a little more visibility out of the rear window, but I guess that is what mirrors are for.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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A big wagon (and that's a good thing)

Written by: nastacio on 10/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

This is a replacement to a totaled Toyota Sienna. *For the segment*, it is probably the best interior space for the exterior dimensions. We looked at a Saturn Outlook, Honda Pilot and Buick Enclave, but the GM's few extra inches in all dimensions made them a chore in parking lots. The Honda sacrificed too much in 3 row. The Mazda was just right. The lack of interior storage is frustrating, with all the room in the center stack wasted under a compartment that barely fits a couple of wallets. A Mazda5 has more interior storage than the CX-9. The handling is excellent, the driver seats far from the front axle and somehow it feels like a substantial sedan on the road.

Favorite Features

Blind spot monitor, keyless entry system, intuitive navigation, exterior styling

Suggested Improvements

More interior storage spaces, 2 extra miles per gallon

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Lots of car for the money

Written by: MF on 10/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Compared with Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander. I'd not considered the Mazda originally, but when we drove it we loved it. CX-9 clearly offered much more car for the dollar than others in its class. The build quality seems excellent, interior materials are very nice - much better than Honda or Toyota.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling, space, seating flexibility, Bose stereo, blind spot monitor, backup camera, fun to drive, great handling for a large SUV, value for money.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel economy should be a better. Could be quieter on freeway, there's a bit too much road and wind noise.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Very happy, so far!

Written by: j73alb on 10/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Sport 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I love the exterior and interior styling of this CUV. Performance is really good for such a large vehicle. Acceleration, steering, and braking are all the same or better than my wife's coupe. We took the cx-9 on a 1000 mile trip this summer. We averaged over 22 mpg and this was with 5 people, luggage, and driving through mountains. Not bad for a CUV! We also test drove the new Honda Pilot and GMC Acadia and the Mazda was our favorite. I highly recommend this vehicle.

Favorite Features

Styling, performance, handling, and price.

Suggested Improvements

There is a slight blind spot in the rear side windows. Gas mileage isn't perfect but it's a pretty big vehicle-what do you expect?

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Best of the Third Row Seat SUV Bunch

Written by: TimC on 10/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

After considering the Highlander, MDX, Pilot, and Enclave, my wife and I settled on the CX-9. While not quite perfect for our needs, it was clearly the best overall SUV, and came out on top for functionality, ergonomics, and as a bonus, it didn't look like the box that a more attractive vehicle came in. We had only looked at the Mazda as an afterthought, figuring we'd end up with the Highlander, but were very surprised at the overall quality and attention to detail in the CX-9. While the Highlander had arguably better performance and interior storage space, it lacked many things the CX-9 offered, such as a split-row third seat and ample room in all three rows, among others. A very good buy.

Favorite Features

The blind-spot monitor is our favorite; while it's not a substitute for careful driving, it helps in congested, multi-lane traffic. The overall handling is impressive for a vehicle this size. And it has a 3rd row seat that can hold adults and has usable space behind the 3rd row seat even when its up.

Suggested Improvements

More in-cabin storage; the center console and the glove box don't hold much. A bit softer ride. More sound- deadening insulation to help quell coarse-pavement roar. A trip computer. Do away with the two-tone leather. Offer more color choices. We bump our heads on the rakish roof line when getting in.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Best In Its Class

Written by: shawn08 on 10/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

Just purchased the Mazda Cx9 Touring in September. I have about a 1000 miles on the truck. I enjoy driving this truck, its way better on gas than the LR3 I had. The interior of the vehicle is well designed. I did not get the Grand Touring since cars with nav these days go for less when it's time to trade in or sell. Got the entertainment center with the upgraded Bose stereo it's amazing! Not sure what everyone is talking about but my car has a trip odometer maybe they don't know how to find it. Before I made this purchase I test drove quite a bit of trucks before making my decision. I am glad I went with the CX9.

Favorite Features

Entertainment center, sporty steering wheel, comfortable seating and lots of space

Suggested Improvements

Change thr cheap plastic on the center of the steering wheel on Touring and Grand Touring models. Nickel finish would be better to match the trims inside the car. On the Touring model memory for the seats should also be standard.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Sporty and Fun

Written by: Mark on 10/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (3.7L 6cyl 6A)

Review

I traded in a VW Beetle, so there isn't much comparison except from the test drives I have been on. We considered a Pathfinder, Pilot and the Highlander. The Pilot was too much like a car and not very responsive. The Highlander was too pricey for the amount of vehicle. The Pathfinder felt really bulky in comparison to the CX-9. I drive about 4 hours every weekend with my wife and great dane. We wanted a vehicle that would allow us to have room for children in the back along with our dog. The gas mileage isn't too impressive, but a vehicle this size just doesn't have that 30 mpg ability right now. The backup cam on the nav screen seems dangerous.

Favorite Features

Blind spot monitoring, I didn't even know it had it, but what a relief it does. Auto-wipers. Halogen headlamps. Blue-tooth capability. Overall value.

Suggested Improvements

I drove a fully decked out 2008 CX-9 with navigation, which quickly deterred me from buying the nav system. Someone needs to tell Mazda that unlike a fine wine, navigation systems do not get better with age. I prefer to use my $150 Garmin over it. Also, the sunroof leaked during a recent car wash.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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