as a previous 2010 cx-9 owner, I can see these SUVs are built to last, and they're great to own

Car and Driver Magazine put out the 10 best Trucks and SUV's for 2019. These are the best of the best in each category. For the BEST Mid Size SUV they picked the Mazda CX-9. It out performed the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander as well as it's Korean competitors. For Car and Driver to choose what is the best of the best they drive the cars for at least one week, not a day and make a decision. Also the Mazda satisfied the reviewers at Consumer Reports which gave the CX-9 great praise and recommended this vehicle to it's viewers. This CX-9 is Mazda's flagship vehicle and it's the beginning of a new Mazda with a bright future in my opinion. Yes they are worth $50,000 for the best of their line. The best bang for the buck is the touring model which runs around $34,000. Definitely a lot of car for the money and it just does better than the rest. Most people do not know Mazda had a relationship with Ford Motor Company and therein lies the problem they had with their cars in the past. I believe after 2013 they became their own master and now they are coming into their own. Mazda will be a leader to be reckoned with. 90% of the CX-9 is made in Hiroshima Japan, and we know the Japanese just put together the best in automobiles. Drive the car and you may be very surprised how good it actually is. Last time I looked at Consumer reports reliability of car manufacturers for 2019, Lexus and Toyota we're at the # 1 and 2 spot. The #3 position was Mazda!

You left us wanting more Steve! This was a fast review

Excellent review Steve! Very honest and to the point! I keep saying this, but you deserve way more subscribers.

Thanks Steve, even with its shortcomings, there's just something so right about this Mazda and it is still my choice even this late in its product cycle. Still looks great after all this time too, though an updated 2020 Signature can't come soon enough, especially with Telluride/Pallisade breathing down everyone's neck. Hope Mazda's flagship continues to knock it outta the park!

I see some commenters asking for a longer review. Given that I’m stuck in the hospital and crazy bored, I of course would love it if all your reviews lasted an hour each! That said, I am always amazed at how complete the review IS in 5-7 minutes. Really sums up things concisely with no extra rambling or self-indulgence. If I need one of those videos where the reviewer shows me every feature in detail, I can find it (and it usually drones on and has much poorer writing and production values), but that’s a different product. Thanks for caring about writing and proper production, and for being on point. As far as this car: Too expensive, too big, and too thirsty, but one of those turbo CX-5s looks good once carpool times are over.

Was very close to buying one. Ended up getting an Acadia Denali. The ride was a lot better (adaptive dampers), the kids loved the pano roof, and the v6 was silky smooth. Mazda is still a great suv tho.

This was a very short review. Not that I want it to be super long but I expected a little more.

Funny, I love the dial and non touch during transit. Much safer using a knob to find things that trying to finger on a screen. I have a 2018 GT and love the car, quiet, smooth and love the heads up display. I don't care for pano roof. Would like the surround view and dimming side mirrors but other than that, love the car. I got my GT for 38k prior to TTT. So much nicer than other cars. I shopped around at Audi, Lexus, BMW and Volvo, way to much $ for those cars to get these kinda features you spend thousands more. So far haven't had one issue at 15k miles.

Great review. You pointed out goods and faults of the vehicle well. I love the designs of CX-9. I think their design language best fits CX-9. Lower number models don't look as good in that face. However, I think at this point, highest trim Telluride is a better option. It costs 45k and it looks decent enough inside-out and has more space and power. Yes it doesn't have any rear seat dvd option, but you can buy two Ipad Pros for rear seat and it will still cost you less. That thick screen is no where close to ipad pro.

Great review. I agree their interior need updating like panoramic sunroof and better display

So when you put this up against the Telluride or loaded Atlas for the same price it looses some ground imo.. With the Mazda you have to use apple car play ALL the time to avoid crap infotainment.. I love the interior of the Signature, very convincing even in person.. But i'd probably buy one of the competition. This just leaves me wanting too much.. Better (longer) seats, more refinement from the engine, better infotainment etc. A compelling package but the competition is moving at warp speed. I've driven the new CX-9 and it is fantastic when not compared to the intense competition. Easily the quietest, most refined Mazda I've ever driven. I'd compare this primarily against the Ascent Touring. They feel very similar in size from the driver seat and compare better on their features and powertrains. Totally different ballgame in the driving dynamics. A Mazda bright spot.. for now!

My daughter has a 2012 CX-9 with the 6 cyl engine and that's my baseline. We test drove two different CX-9s today at a dealer because my wife wants one now. First, a 2018 Signature Edition. It did not have the get up and go that the 2012 model has, despite higher torque numbers in the specs. So we tried a 2019 Grand Touring model with lower mileage to see if it was a matter of engine wear. This one seemed even less responsive than the 2018 model. If torque is what gets the car moving, then why does the 2012 CX-9 with 270 ft lbs outperform the 310 ft lbs newer models in both the standing start and passing on the highway? My daughter's CX9 seems to want to cruise above 80mph. I drove in this afternoon and found myself exceeding 80mph without realizing it numerous times on the highway. The newer cars are nice, but the drive train feels like it's got a rubber band softening the acceleration.

I love the look and interior but it's going to have a hard time stacking up with the Palisade and Telluride especially once discounts kick in after 6 months. I'll be testing this along with the Atlas this summer I just doubt that it will end up on top which is a shame as I do like the company.

If you use 91 octane power drops slightly as well. Good luck finding 93 octane.

Don't remember the signature being this expensive. Be careful, Mazda...

I think the new Hyundai/Kia full size 3-row twins are going to be a serious problem for this car. Their interiors are equally above the Honda/Toyota run of the mill stuff, and the Kia in particular is striking looking, from the outside I think they made a better Cadillac than Cadillac did with the comparatively dull and drab XT6. H/K also has the resources to include all of the tech you would expect for 2020, which Mazda simply can't keep up with.

The only person in the universe who doesn't like the cx9

Kinda sounds like nick-picking a bit ... U want a full size cuv to do too much lil ass turbo 4 and all that weight ...it's can only sip gas so long ... But I like it looks solid

This is one good lookin 3 rd row .. 50k is a step but not if Mazda is goin to the premium feel..that may be reasonable.. they will catch up on technology’s.. I do agree with Steve here .. it’s missing to much.... as for me I would buy a trim under this because that styling is really provocative..and it is a nice crossover ..

Fancy interior materials does not a luxury car make. Good thing everything is negotiable, especially (slow selling) cars. Stay away from Soul red paint and you should do just fine.

No hands free lift gate? Are you sure about that?

It's a really good looking car and it has a beautiful interior, but $49k for a Mazda is a hard pill to swallow.

Its only that expensive because of the overpriced rear entertainment that no one will use. Why would they even try and sell that? Kids have their own devices now...HELLO...

$50k for this or an audi q5. yeah.

A crossover whose length (199") is exceeded only by the Dodge Durango and the Chevy Traverse. The VW Atlas is shorter. Couple that with the smallest overall cargo and passenger space in the entire "midsize" category, most by a large margin. "Reasonably sized third row?" It has less legroom (29.7") than a Mustang backseat (30.0"). Ever been consigned to the back seat of a Mustang? The 2.5L turbo 4 has some impressive qualities but it's far better suited to the Mazda6 and CX-5. And in a category where almost every other competitor offers a naturally aspirated V6 (except the Subaru Ascent), it's unlikely to be as durable and offers no better fuel economy. The top trim Signature version is impressive and the additional features for 2019 were sorely needed. But still no Android Auto and no panoramic sunroof. And still a sub-par overall infotainment system. All in all, it's a prime example of the triumph of form over function.

A merger with "subaru" would enable mazda to compete in luxury segment..

Great looking car inside and out, but 50k for a Mazda....really? I'm still laughing at that.

Buy used