It’s not been long since Mazda Australia brought in their flagship SUV, the 7-seater CX-9, but already this second-generation has been quick to receive an update. Specifically, surrounding some improvements to its ride, refinement, and more broad assortment of safety kit.
By in large, this is the same Mazda that was introduced last year. But this update is important (and a little ironic) as it brings the most recently introduced new model in their range up to par with their newest technologies - some of them actually first appeared on Mazda6 and Mazda3.
Of course, with these new features comes a price increase, which has uniformly risen by $1,400 for each variant. First on the list is G-Vectoring Control (GVC), which uses a number of parameters such as vehicle speed, steering angle, lateral force, grip levels, and a number of other readings to alter handling by seamlessly applying the brakes on one specific corner or by limiting the engine’s torque delivery.
It’s like a smart traction control system that actually works to improve the driving experience rather than sanitise it. During spirited driving, it works to counteract the car’s inertial tendency to want to understeer, for example, but in more sedate conditions can work to reduce the forces acting on the occupants (thus requiring exertion) for a more relaxed, less fatiguing journey.
In addition to this, they’ve optimised cabin insulation by strategically adding more sound dampening material, to which Mazda says reduces noise levels for second and third row occupants by roughly 5 percent.
Standard on all CX-9s going forward will be autonomous emergency braking with forward collision alert and pedestrian detection, a system that will now work between 4km/h up to 80km/h. By comparison, the pre-update version worked only up until 30km/h, thus its name was Active City Stop. Also, should you opt for the higher-price GT and Azami variants, traffic sign recognition is also built in.
There isn’t any exterior changes to speak of aside from the side mirrors which are now auto-power folding as standard. Also, the CX-9 is now available in the new shade that debuted in the CX-5, called Soul Red Crystal Metallic. Under the hood, the 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also unchanged, developing 170kW and 420Nm, sending power to either the front wheels or all-four corners via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
“Although it has barely been a year since the debut of the current CX-9, it is important to Mazda to drive the evolution of this vehicle as our flagship SUV, responding to customers who seek quality, design, driving pleasure, safety, value and passenger comfort,” said Mazda Australia marketing director Alastair Doak.
- CX-9 - Sport - FWD - $43,890
- CX-9 - Sport - AWD - $47,890
- CX-9 - Touring - FWD - $50,290
- CX-9 - Touring - AWD - $54,290
- CX-9 - GT - FWD - $58,790
- CX-9 - GT - AWD - $62,790
- CX-9 - Azami - FWD - $60,790
- CX-9 - Azami - AWD - $64,790
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