Long-Term Road Tests
2008 Mazda CX-9
October 20, 2008
I had the keys to the CX-9 for its last weekend in our LT fleet. So I took it to dinner, a walk on the beach and then we headed back to my place for a nightcap and a tearful farewell. And then I measured its lifetime fuel economy (I'm quite the romantic). Last month, I reported in the Big List of Fuel Economy that the CX-9's recorded lifetime fuel economy was 18.1 mpg. What I didn't mention then was that number was current as of February 2008. Seems we hadn't updated the fuel log in a good many months. When I plugged nearly 8 months of data into the spreadsheet today, I got a slightly different number.
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- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon October 20, 2008, 3:58 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
September 29, 2008
After a 480-mile weekend round-trip to the Central Coast, I was hoping to shed some new light on our Mazda CX-9. I discovered, however, my fellow bloggers had already made 40 posts on the well-traveled vehicle. Oldham has illuminated us on the dim bulbs which are indeed poor, MacKinnon logged our collective fuel economy, to which I can now add my 20 mpg average, Riswick documented the fritzy window switches that seem to have fixed themselves, and Riches, among others, posted a warning about the handy-yet-miniscule rear-view camera that I can attest is even harder to see with polarized sunglasses.
Despite my daughter's best efforts to adjust the rear HVAC knobs with her feet from the child's seat, they didn't fall off once, unlike Jacquot's experience. And only after reading Brauer's post about the counterintuitive audio controls did I learn that it wasn't necessary for me to push-push-push the toggling tune button to advance radio stations. (The multi-functioning tuning knob is directly below the button I used--duh.
About the only thing I can add is that Sirius satellite radio is very difficult to use in the absence of a more advanced display. The over taxed dot-matrix display (that also shows time of day, HVAC temp and mode) reads, "Loading" for about 5 seconds when you finally land on a station with a limited ability to display what and where you are on the dial. Happily, we've got a few key stations saved as presets which made jumping ahead a little less problematic.
I performed the initial testing back in January, and it still feels as sporty now as it did then. The CX-9 really does drive smaller than it really is, which is big. I wish I had more to share, but the highly competent CX-9 has seen a ton of use in its 9.5 months with us. At this rate, it'll likely rack up 30,000 miles before it leaves in January.
Chris Walton, Chief Road Test Editor @ 22,736 miles
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- Posted by: Cee-Dubya September 29, 2008, 11:12 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
September 24, 2008
I was thinking the other day (always a dangerous proposition, I know) and wondering how all the current (or really, really recently departed) Edmunds/Inside Line long-term vehicles stack up against each other in fuel economy, at least the fuel economy we've been recording during their time with us. So I made a list. For you and for me. In case we were both wondering.
The only current vehicles missing from my list are the Audi R8 and the Dodge Grand Caravan, and that's because no one has entered any fuel data into the tracking spreadsheet for those vehicles yet. The very top and the very bottom of the list aren't going to surprise anybody (I don't think), but the middle is kinda interesting. Seeing the Rondo and the WRX so close to each other made me raise my eyebrows. Ditto the Ford GT's spot above the Veracruz. Ready to check it all out? Follow the jump with me.
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- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon September 24, 2008, 10:06 AM
- Categories: 2002 BMW M3, 2004 Toyota Prius, 2005 Ford GT, 2005 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI, 2006 Lexus RX 400h, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado LT, 2007 Ford Edge SEL, 2007 Honda Civic GX, 2007 Honda Fit Sport, 2007 Kia Rondo, 2007 Saturn Aura XR, 2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab, 2008 BMW 135i, 2008 BMW X5 4.8i, 2008 Buick Enclave CX, 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI, 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe, 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6, 2008 Hyundai Veracruz SE AWD, 2008 Mazda CX-9, 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sport, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR, 2008 Pontiac G8 GT, 2008 Scion xB, 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe, 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, 2009 Ford Flex Limited, 2009 Nissan GT-R
September 23, 2008
Our long-term 2008 Mazda CX-9's 3.7-liter V6 also sees duty in the Mazda 6 s and the Lincoln MKS. Sure, sure -- Mazda's "MZI 3.7" isn't identical to Ford's "Duratec 37." The former is assembled in Japan, while the latter hails from the Midwest, and some mild tinkering with the MKS version has made it infinitesimally more powerful. But for all intents and purposes, it's the same engine.
Anyway, what a difference a bodystyle makes. When I sampled the MZI 3.7 in the Mazda 6 s, it sounded a bit too brawny for my tastes, as though it had been borrowed from a truck (which, of course, it had). In the MKS, the Duratec 37 sounded surprisingly grainy at higher rpm, in stark contrast to the numerous silky-smooth powerplants available at that price point (Toyota/Lexus V6, Hyundai V8, BMW inline-6, etc.).
But in the CX-9, the MZI 3.7 sounds just right. The engine note isn't as mellifluous as that of Toyota's 2GR-FE V6, yet it's muscular and refined -- precisely what I'd hope to hear in a sporty crossover SUV. It's another strong point of this arguably best-in-class vehicle.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 21,707 miles
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- Posted by: S.B. True September 23, 2008, 12:17 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
September 16, 2008
After five nights straight in our long term 2008 Mazda CX-9, I'm convinced it has the unusually weak headlamps. They don't seem to be on. I keep double and triple checking the switch and the reflection in the car I'm following just to make sure. And my wife, always the backseat driver, keeps asking me, "Are your lights on?"
Now, we have a CX-9 Touring, which is the middle of three trim levels and comes with the same halogen headlamps as the base Sport model. The top of the line Grand Touring trim comes standard with Xenon Hight Intensity Discharge lights or HIDs (shown in photo) and a set of foglights, which our Touring model does not have.
The illumination seems to be worth the money.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 21,626 miles
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- Posted by: Scott Oldham September 16, 2008, 11:56 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
September 15, 2008
Spent a few hundred very enjoyable miles in our long term Mazda CX-9 this weekend, including this trip to Pepperdine University in Malibu, California to check out its inspired tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Nearly 3,000 flags were placed on the school's front lawn (one for each American life lost in the attacks) that borders the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. It was quite a sight, and will remain in place until this Thursday. If you live within driving distance I highly recommend a visit.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 21,567 miles
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- Posted by: Scott Oldham September 15, 2008, 10:34 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
September 5, 2008
Our CX-9's auto up/down function for the driver's window is malfunctioning. It still goes up and down, but pushing through the usual auto detent does nothing. You have to hold it in order for the window to get all the way open or closed. Woe is me. How did we ever function without auto up/down? Luckily the passenger side auto/up is still working. Maybe we can move the steering wheel.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 21,089 miles
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- Posted by: JRiz September 5, 2008, 9:06 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
August 14, 2008
This will seem totally trivial and lame to some while a few others will get why I think this one feature is cool.
The CX-9 has the one-touch feature for both front windows - that's one touch down AND up. A nice feature for sure, but there's one other thing that I really like. If you tap the window switch, just tap it, the window will open with a pre-set gap. For those who occasionally like to "crack" the window a bit it's great. Excellent attention to detail Mazda - now make the ride a little softer so I can love the rest of the car.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor.
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- Posted by: Brian Moody August 14, 2008, 1:27 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
August 11, 2008
As noted in Edmunds' recent crossover comparison drive, "the CX-9 is the seven-plus-passenger crossover all but one of us would take home." Confession: I was the one. The Veracruz got my vote instead. Why? Two reasons: (1) the Veracruz had a significantly more compliant ride than the CX-9 Grand Touring in our comparo while still offering decent handling, and (2) the Hyundai's interior materials quality was leaps and bounds ahead of the Mazda's.
There's not much that can be done about (2), but our long-term CX-9 Touring provides a simple solution for (1). Whereas the CX-9 Grand Touring has 20-inch wheels, our long-termer rolls on 18s. Result? Its ride is comparatively supple, with no discernable handling penalty at any sane cornering speeds. Translation: if you pushed these CX-9s to the point where you could tell a difference, you might not come back in one piece. It's just a shame that Mazda makes you roll on dubs if you want the Grand Touring's top-of-the-line luxuries.
I still like the Veracruz a lot, but our long-term CX-9 handles better while offering a satisfactorily cushioned ride. Slap some Hyundai-style soft-touch materials on the dash and I'd be sold.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,837 miles
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- Posted by: S.B. True August 11, 2008, 5:40 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
July 28, 2008
I prefer to use the manual-shift option if a car offers it, especially in stop-and-go traffic because it helps me stay off the gas and brake pedals. Just go back and forth from 1st to 2nd gear and I'm not always nudging the gas to move up 5 feet. I tried this with our 2008 Mazda CX-9 but the jump in gear from 2nd to 1st is so great that it causes an undue amount of engine braking and I fear that the motorist behind me will think that I'm stopping short for no apparent reason. No biggie though. I just made sure to slow way down before I downshifted so it wasn't as obvious. Took some getting used to.
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- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla July 28, 2008, 2:02 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
July 14, 2008
No one else has mentioned this before but I noticed over the weekend that the brakes for our 2008 Mazda CX-9 feel crunchy or shudder a bit. The thing is, this wasn't a consistent thing and I couldn't duplicate it if I tried. I had just noticed it when I drove it first thing on Saturday morning. But then it never reappeared as badly as it did in that first hour.
But it happened when I slowed to a stop and then pushed the pedal further to actually stop the vehicle. The flutter was so noticeable that I wondered if there was something seriously wrong. "Uh oh, the CX-9 needs to be taken in!" But then, it never was that bad again. I could still feel that faint flutter but someone else would have to really be aware of it to notice it. Anyway, thought I'd mention it to our vehicle testing assistant and for the record.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 18,857 miles
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- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla July 14, 2008, 3:32 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
July 11, 2008
It's not any vehicle that can carry four Ford GT wheels and eight Ford GT tires. That adds up to a lot of cubic storage, but the CX-9's cargo area handled it with room to spare. It did require folding the second and third-row seats, and four of the tires had to be placed upright, which meant no rear visibility.
But careful adjustment of the exterior mirrors and careful planning prior to lane changes kept the CX-9 from intruding on other vehicles. The guys as Stokes Tire Pros were kind enough to encase the rolling stock in large mint-green garbage bags to keep interior scuffs to a minimum.
But with those bag colors I'm not sure what other people thought I was hauling. Fertilizer maybe?
Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief @ 18,746 miles
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- Posted by: Karl Brauer July 11, 2008, 1:50 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
June 12, 2008
Mazda features three different key designs and our CX-9 features the switchblade one (there's also the credit card and the 3's old school). I'm a big fan of the switchblade design, having had one with my old Jetta for seven years. While some people chew gum or twirl their fingers through their thick luxuriant hair, I would incessantly open and close the switchblade either in the open or stealthily in my pocket -- and I know I'm not alone in this. Plus, it was a compact key design that took up minimum real estate in my pocket...
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- Posted by: JRiz June 12, 2008, 9:36 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
June 10, 2008
I love the compact mirror-mounted display for our 2008 Mazda CX-9's back-up camera. This morning while backing into a parking space, though, I was reacquainted with the limitations of a tiny camera mounted just above the rear bumper.
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- Posted by: Erin Riches June 10, 2008, 3:06 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
June 2, 2008
I did some spur-of-the-moment furniture shopping this weekend. Luckily, I was driving an SUV with 101 cubic feet of space in the back.
SUVs like the Mazda CX-9 can save you lots of moolah on delivery fees. The three-piece set fit nicely into the back of the CX-9 with the second and third row seats folded...
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- Posted by: Donna DeRosa June 2, 2008, 5:16 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
May 27, 2008
Big cupholders seem like a silly reason to like a certain car. It didn't seem so silly when I dropped my new favorite beverage in the CX-9's bigger is better holder - a perfect fit. Another little touch that I like about the CX-9 is the front power windows - both are one touch up and down. No big deal really, but both windows have a feature that makes it easy to "crack" the window...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody May 27, 2008, 8:55 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
May 21, 2008
Stupid plans, at some point near their inception, generally start with a small grain of a good idea. They quickly devolve to a point where you wish you hadn't done anything in the first place. Well, that realization of stupidity was where three of us were this past Friday.
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- Posted by: May 21, 2008, 11:03 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
May 13, 2008
Having the Mazda CX-9 and Buick Enclave as long-term cars at the same time has provided plenty of opportunity for head-to-head comparisons. Both crossovers have proven to be mile-gobbling staff favorites, but for me, I'd buy the Mazda.
I do prefer the Buick in some respects. It has better interior materials and looks nicer than our CX-9 Touring's more somber approach (a Grand Touring may have been a different story). Also, the ride is less firm and a lot friendlier on crappy highway pavement...
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- Posted by: JRiz May 13, 2008, 10:37 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
May 5, 2008
I got the keys to our Mazda for the weekend. Yes, a bachelor party weekend in Vegas. I was to rush out there to pick up my buddies at the airport. They were flying in from Seattle, New York and Denver...
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- Posted by: May 5, 2008, 3:07 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
Despite the fact that I'm not much for SUVs, I like our long-term Mazda CX-9. Its size is perfect for being utilitarian without being unwieldy. And it drives well. There's more steering feel and better response than I've come to expect in three-row SUVs. Plus, I can haul a kid, a bike and my wife (order not important here) without feeling cramped. And I think Mazda's interiors are usually class leading.
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- Posted by: Dark Helmet May 5, 2008, 2:17 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
April 25, 2008
We've spent some long days at the track this week, and our long-term 2008 Mazda CX-9 has dutifully served as the primary support vehicle. With its third-row seat folded into the floor, it of course offers plenty of room for all manner of testing and camera equipment.
At the Streets of Willow road course in Rosamond, California, where it's definitely not summer yet, the Mazda's emptied cargo bay also provided a suitable refuge from the desert sun and 30-mph winds. Undoubtedly, a couple adults could fit in the back of almost any midsize SUV, but the CX-9's bay seems particularly comfortable...
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- Posted by: Erin Riches April 25, 2008, 10:51 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
April 8, 2008
No, the above photo does not represent a total systems failure of our 2008 Mazda CX-9. It's merely a snapshot of the 5-second bulb check that happens every time any of us starts our car. Here, near the Mazda CX-9 tach's numeral "2", you'll see a unique warning lamp that isn't common to all cars.
Check engine lights come on for a variety of reasons...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds April 8, 2008, 8:21 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
April 7, 2008
During our Sacramento run, my wife spent some time behind the wheel of our 2008 Mazda CX-9. At 5' 4" tall, her driving position is quite a ways further forward than mine and she cranks the seat height up to see properly.
The first time she got back in to her previously-set driving position, she nearly knocked herself unconcious. The sleekly-styled CX-9 has a much more steeply-raked windshield than its competition, but she has to scoot and lean forward towards it to get past the seat bolsters when she gets in...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds April 7, 2008, 10:26 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
April 6, 2008
This weekend my family made a quick blast up to Sacramento, California, in the 2008 Mazda CX-9. For this trip, my youngest daughter brought a friend along, so we got to try it out with five aboard. Since we're kind people, we didn't make anyone sit on "the hump" for the 1,000-mile round trip. The CX-9's split-fold third row got a real-world tryout...
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds April 6, 2008, 8:01 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 31, 2008
Last week I was driving our long-term Buick Enclave when a friend asked if it was the new Mazda SUV he'd been hearing such good things about. He was referring to the CX-9. No big deal, I quickly corrected him and thought little of it.
But then yesterday I was in our long-term Mazda CX-9 and another friend asked me how I like the new Buick Enclave I was driving...
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- Posted by: Scott Oldham March 31, 2008, 1:24 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 28, 2008
As expected, grocery shopping with our CX-9 is no problem at all. There's plenty of room with the third row folded, and the rear storage compartment serves well as a bag holder. More details and pictures can be found after the jump.
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- Posted by: Brent Romans March 28, 2008, 9:05 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 26, 2008
In the last seven days, I've put about 900 miles onto our long-term Mazda CX-9. A lot of this mileage came from last weekend's trip to visit my in-laws, which is about 300 miles each way of mostly freeway driving.
The CX-9 has been a great vehicle to have. For the trip, the Mazda had plenty of room for my wife, eight-month-old daughter and our associated gear and luggage...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans March 26, 2008, 9:28 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 17, 2008
How's this for surreal? I was driving our Mazda CX-9 north on California's 5 freeway near the Grapevine, a local term for what is in fact the Tejon pass. I was one lane over from the fast lane. Traffic was light...
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- Posted by: Brent Romans March 17, 2008, 3:49 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 10, 2008
An occupational hazard of working for Edmunds.com is that you become an eternal car shopper. After only minutes behind the wheel of our 2008 CX-9 I began wondering what it cost and could I afford it. Being a savvy shopper I knew I needed to compare my theoretical purchase to other hypothetical purchases. A small part of me hoped the Mazda wouldn't compare well, I could rule it out and reclaim my peace of mind...
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- Posted by: Philip Reed March 10, 2008, 7:40 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 7, 2008
As long as a car drives right, I generally don’t mind so much if the interior’s covered in hard plastic. And as I discovered on a road trip to Santa Barbara yesterday, our long-term CX-9 certainly drives right -- the steering’s a bit light for my taste, but it’s quick and accurate, and I didn’t think it was possible for such a large vehicle to feel so buttoned-down on serpentine sections of the Pacific Coast Highway. So normally I’d be inclined to forgive the acres of hard plastic that adorn the CX-9’s dash and center console.
Unfortunately, I found that the rakish slope of said console causes the lower portion to impinge on driver knee-room, so that when I was cruising on the highway, the bony right side of my (sun-deprived) knee was in constant contact with the console's rock-hard edge...
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- Posted by: S.B. True March 7, 2008, 5:34 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 5, 2008
We've had the 2008 Mazda CX-9 in our fleet since last year and last night was my first time in it. It was also the first time that I've seen a car with a back-up camera display in the rearview mirror. Neat! Well, that was my first reaction until I realized how distracting it was...
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- Posted by: Caroline Pardilla March 5, 2008, 11:48 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
March 3, 2008
The traditional design and placement of automotive audio knobs has been under assault for quite some time. We've now got everything from iDrive, that tries to perform every function with one knob, to various Scion faceplates with no knobs.
I'm a fuddy-duddy when it comes to faceplate knobs: give me power (push) and volume (twist) on the left side, bass/treble/balance control (push, then twist) along with manual frequency tuning or CD track advance (just twist) on the right side. The ultimate in "KISS" design -- meaning some engineering brainiac can't resist trying to improve on it.
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- Posted by: Karl Brauer March 3, 2008, 10:55 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
February 26, 2008
I took our long-term Mazda CX-9 on a jaunt up the 101 freeway to Ventura County this rainy weekend. While it was a good test of how the crossover performs when the highway is shiny and wet and the traffic is slow and heavy, it didn’t allow for much spirited driving of this, the sports car of crossover SUVs. That will have to wait for another day. I will say that on the return trip up the 101’s steep Conejo Grade from Camarillo into Thousand Oaks, the CX-9 ate up the incline with nary a hesitation...
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- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon February 26, 2008, 1:21 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
January 23, 2008
It has been over a week since the 2008 Mazda CX-9 has been voted North American Truck of the Year by a group of some 46 automotive journalists from around the country, and I haven't heard a peep of controversy. Frankly, I'm surprised.
Not that I dislike the Mazda CX-9. I like it quite a bit. I agree it deserves some sort of "Of the Year" honor.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds January 23, 2008, 8:38 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
January 22, 2008
Warning: The following 2008 Mazda CX-9 post may contain discussions of volume and volume settings that might only be fully appreciated by Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap. Some aspects of Andy Rooney-ism are liable to creep in, as well.
Didja ever notice that when you switch from, say, the FM radio to your iPod running through the Aux connection that the volume levels don't match up? Most of the time, I find the iPod volume to be too soft - even with the iPod turned up to max.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds January 22, 2008, 3:55 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
January 14, 2008
Upon seeing me pull the 2008 Mazda CX-9 into our driveway after work this past Friday, my wife remarked that two of her friends got new cars within the last couple of weeks and, coincidentally, they both independently chose the 2008 Mazda CX-9. I've got to hear more about this.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds January 14, 2008, 12:48 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
January 10, 2008
I just spent a few days with our Long Term CX-9. One thing that really struck me was its size. It's not too big but no one would call it small either. The CX-9 is one of those few vehicles that seems like the interior and exterior size is like the last bed - just right...
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- Posted by: Brian Moody January 10, 2008, 10:09 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
January 4, 2008
The sports car of large crossovers did a commendable job at the track. In case you're wondering, it wasn't that much better than the Enclave. Specifically, the slalom speeds were basically equal. I've included the Buick's numbers for comparison purposes (in gray), but remember that numbers tell only so much of the story. In real-world driving, the CX-9 feels remarkably more agile thanks to its excellent steering, lighter weight and firm suspension.
James Riswick, Associate Editor @ 6,543 miles
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- Posted by: JRiz January 4, 2008, 1:34 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
January 3, 2008
As if the Mazda CX-9's driving dynamics, functionality and interior design aren't reason enough to love it, I recently tried out its auxiliary audio input with my iPhone. Guess what? It works! Yeah, not a big deal to most of you, but this is my first i-Anything, so the concept of simply plugging in a cable and hearing your own 2 gigs/500 songs worth of music is still relatively new to me...
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- Posted by: Karl Brauer January 3, 2008, 4:21 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
December 19, 2007
As you might already have guessed, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 is the mystery "other choice" for our twice-yearly road trip to Oregon. Like the Buick Enclave, our's is front-wheel drive. Unlike our Enclave, this one has the seat heaters my wife covets.
Both have iPod aux jacks. The Enclave has a navigation system and our CX-9 doesn't. But that's not a factor because, after a dozen years making this drive, I know where I'm going.
The decision comes down to the view above, as we will be well and truly loaded down with luggage and gifts for 10 relations during our 2,000 mile round-trip to Pistol River, Oregon. Santa advises me that some of them are bulky.
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- Posted by: Dan Edmunds December 19, 2007, 11:46 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
December 11, 2007
There were several cars I could have driven to Laguna Seca to attend California Superbike School recently, but I picked our new CX-9 crossover instead. Why? The prospect of five uninterrupted hours of Howard Stern on its Sirius satellite radio was one big reason, but there were others.
I wanted to try out the new V6 and see if the CX-9 is able to mimic the sporty feel of the CX-7...
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- Posted by: Ed Hellwig December 11, 2007, 6:49 PM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9
We've added a 2008 Mazda CX-9 to our long-term fleet.
It seats seven so you can cart around the family but still provides enough driving pleasure for when you are alone.
Read the Mazda CX-9 Introduction on Inside Line.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
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- Posted by: Donna DeRosa December 11, 2007, 11:00 AM
- Categories: 2008 Mazda CX-9