Best Reviewed
Midsize SUVs
- Best midsize SUV 2011 Mazda CX-9 *Est. $29135
- Budget midsize SUV 2012 Kia Sorento *Est. $21250
- Best luxury midsize SUV 2011 Acura MDX *Est. $42930
- Midsize off-roader 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee *Est. $30215
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Best midsize SUV
- Powerful
- Great-looking
- Agile and sporty
- Roomy and quiet inside
- Good visibility
- Build quality
- Easy third-row access
- Fuel economy improves slightly
- Stiff ride
- Torque steer on front-wheel-drive versions
- Could use more interior storage bins
Free Price Quote for 2011 Mazda CX-9It's big, roomy and practical, but what puts the 2011 Mazda CX-9 over the top in reviewers' eyes is that in addition to all that, it's genuinely entertaining to drive. After getting a visual facelift for 2010, which brought the CX-9 in line with the smiley-face look across the Mazda lineup, the 2011 CX-9 carries over essentially unchanged, though fuel economy sees a slight improvement. For a comprehensive review of this vehicle, see our full report on the 2009 Mazda CX-9.
Uptick in fuel economy for 2011
There's not much new to report about the 2011 Mazda CX-9, though fuel economy increases by one to two mpg overall compared to last year's vehicle. All CX-9s have a 273-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. With front-wheel-drive, the SUV achieves 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. All-wheel-drive models record an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. What should come as good news to potential buyers is that both the front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the CX-9 are rated at the same 19 mpg in combined, overall usage.
Safety ratings and features
For 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) changed incorporated more rigorous standards in its safety testing program. As of this writing, however, NHTSA has not yet tested the CX-9 under these new standards. The only rating currently available is rollover resistance, for which the CX-9 scores 4 stars out of 5. In tests at the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the CX-9 gets the best rating of "Good" for frontal and side impacts, but only manages a "Marginal" rating in the organization's roof-crush test and rear-impact protection evaluation.
Standard safety equipment for the Mazda CX-9 includes antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, and a full complement of airbags (front, front-side, and side-curtain). A rearview camera is optional on the Touring and Grand Touring trims, and a blind-spot warning system is standard on the Grand Touring trim level.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
The Mazda CX-9 is not only roomy and well-built, Edmunds.com editors say it sets itself apart from other similar family-friendly SUVs by actually being entertaining to drive.
Review: 2011 Mazda CX-9 SUV, Editors of Edmunds.com
2. SaferCar.gov
The government hasn't crash-tested the 2011 Mazda CX-9 yet. The only available rating is for rollover resistance, which is 4 stars out of 5.
Review: 2011 Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD and AWD, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
3. IIHS.org
The Mazda CX-7 has a split personality in IIHS tests. It scores the best rating of "Good" in front and side impact testing, but only "Marginal" in rear-impact protection and roof-strength evaluations.
Review: Mazda CX-9, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
For 2011, the Mazda CX-9 sees improved fuel economy in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models. Both are now rated at 19 mpg in combined, all-around usage, up one to two mpg over last year.
Review: 2011 Mazda CX-9, U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency
Other than a visual facelift in 2010 and slightly improved fuel economy this year, the CX-9 is essentially the same vehicle it was in 2009. For a comprehensive look at what reviewers think about the CX-9's utility and performance, this older report continues to be relevant.
Review: 2009 Mazda CX-9, Editors of ConsumerSearch.com, July 2009
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