What’s New in the 2016 CX-9

If there’s one word that comes to mind when thinking about Mazda vehicles, it has to be athleticism. Consistently, Mazda makes vehicles that feel agile and powerful. From the smallest hatchback to the largest crossover, Mazda knows how to make athletic vehicles. The Mazda 2016 CX-9 is no exception to that rule.

Back in 2006 when Mazda introduced their first three-row crossover, the CZX-9. Compared to other 7-passenger family hauling vehicles, this one just felt sporty. The rest of them seemed, quite frankly, a little dull when compared to Mazda’s offering.

Time for an update

The model hasn’t seen a major update since its release, however. In some ways, it was begging to show its age; sales in 2015 were down to almost half of their peak of 35,000 in 2011. The 2016 Mazda CX-9 has been the company’s answer to this need, and answer they did.

Because the vehicle has done so well, it’s been pushed to the bottom of the list for updating. 2016, however, is the year we’ll see an all-new Mazda CX-9.

Similarities to other Mazda models

If you were to take your CX-9 and look at it from underneath, you’ll notice some similarities with other Mazda models as far as how the chassis and the parts connect. This has worked very well for other models, and the CX-9 even manages to take it up a notch.

Many of those parts have now been strengthened or scaled up. This has provided weight savings overall. For example, while the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is about the same size as the previous model, it’s 200 pounds less in overall weight. The wheelbase has increased 2.2 inches, although Mazda’s engineers have also managed to reduce the overall length by 1.2 inches. They’ve also managed to drop about 2 inches of overhang at both the front and the back. This gives the new model a much more athletic look, and draws your eyes to the longer hood.

Changes under the hood

Many of the competitors in this class are using a V6. For the 2016 CX-9, however, Mazda has decided to go with a turbocharged four-cylinder. This four-cylinder is specifically tuned for a crossover SUV, however, and it performs as such.

Under the hood you’ll find the turbocharged Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter four. This engine is about 130 pounds lighter than the previous version’s V6. It pushes out a massive 310 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. That actually surpasses the torque in the previous model by about 40 lb-ft.

Mazda recognizes that low-end torque is much more useful in a crossover than high-end horsepower. Still, this turbocharged four-cylinder does a decent job, putting out 227 horsepower, just 23 fewer than the previous version’s V6.

The engine is mated with a six-speed automatic. While competitors are moving away from the six-speed, Mazda chose this transmission because it’s essentially the same one used in their light, medium and heavy duty applications.

New AWD system

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 now comes optional with an all-wheel-drive system, a real boon for those folks who live in difficult climates. The system is both lighter and smarter than the previous one, analyzing 27 different data points as much as 200 times each second to be on the lookout for a need for traction. While this is primarily designed for foul weather, the CX-9 can also recognize when the vehicle is being driven harder, and will send as much as half of the available torque to the rear wheels in an effort to reduce understeer.

The six-speed may be old news but the all-wheel-drive system (an $1,800 option) is new and weighs 57 pounds less than the old one. More important, it’s way is smarter, analyzing 27 channels of data (up from 10 in the old CX-9) 200 times every second to anticipate the need for increased traction, according to Mazda. The CX-9’s system is mainly geared toward foul-weather travel. But the system can sense when the CX-9 is driven harder than usual and will send as much as 50% of the available torque to the rear wheels to help eliminate understeer.

The 2016 Mazda CZ-9 is sporty, torque-rich and agile. Test one out at Mazda of South Charlotte today.

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Tags: Mazda, XC-9
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