Sitting atop the Mazda range is the three-row CX-9. As the brand’s flagship SUV, it brings the brand’s vision of premium to fruition by focusing on the true essence of luxury with its sophisticated style, well-appointed interior, and balanced dynamics.

When the second-generation model launched in 2016, Mazda proposed a new kind of SUV aimed at people who prefer to chart their own path to success. Its development focused on “effortless transition”—the idea of juggling various aspects of one’s life be it being a parent, a businessman, or even accommodating a weekend getaway with your significant other. Instead of focusing on mere specs and functionality, the CX-9 goes beyond to support and enhance its owner’s lives.



Following in the foot steps of the MX-5, the CX-9 was a finalist for both the World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year in 2017. Its shapely exterior, honed by KODO proves that SUVs need not be boring.

In the years since, Mazda has applied continuous updates to the CX-9 to give its drivers and passengers meaningful improvements. Engineers could have left this SUV well enough alone, but in this latest update, they’ve refined the suspension for a more natural ride, and added sound insulation for greater sound suppression.



The quieter cabin not only facilitates a more natural conversation between passengers across all rows, but it also enables the 12-speaker Bose sound system to shine. For those who have their own playlists saved on their smartphone or on Spotify, the 8-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system now adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

This goes hand-in-hand with the auburn Nappa leather seating (cooled for the first row) as well as real aluminum and Santos rosewood interior trim supplied by Japanese guitar maker Fujigen. Those whose eyes focus on the details will notice the LED ambient lighting as well as the steering wheel stitched in a “Chidori” pattern. The Chidori stitch is found in Japanese hand-sewn Temari balls—a traditional Japanese toy that’s brought joy to countless generations. The very same stitch, in black and auburn, is found in the CX-9 which signifies Mazda’s intention to bring that very same joy to the driver.



With that in mind, the CX-9 features a turbocharged 2.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine—the Skyactiv-G 2.5T. Traditionally, turbocharged engines have suffered from poor dynamic performance at low rpms, including turbo lag. SKYACTIV-G 2.5T overcomes these problems with the Dynamic Pressure Turbo, a turbocharging system that can vary the degree of exhaust pulsation depending on engine speed, and a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system that allows the engine to maintain the ideal air-fuel ratio over a wider output range.

At low rpms (below 1,620 rpm), the volume of the exhaust ports is reduced by closing a series of valves located just before the turbine that drives the turbocharger. This reduces interference between exhaust pulses and maximizes the energy of each pulse to obtain a high turbine driving force. At higher rpms there is sufficient energy in the exhaust flow and the valves open, allowing the turbine to be driven by a steady flow of exhaust gases as in a traditional turbocharger. Whereas existing variable turbochargers adjust the speed or direction of exhaust gas flowing into the turbine, Dynamic Pressure Turbo is a unique technology that varies the degree of exhaust pulsation.



Meanwhile, the cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation system takes some of the inert exhaust gas that results from the combustion process and reduces its temperature by passing it through a cooler before introducing it back into the engine’s air intake. This lowers the temperature of combustion in the engine, preventing knocking, expanding the range in which the engine can maintain the ideal air-fuel ratio.

Engaging driving dynamics is another hallmark of the Mazda brand, and for the latest CX-9, it comes with G-Vectoring Control or GVC. GVC uses the engine in conjunction with steering and throttle inputs to minutely reduce engine torque, putting more weight on the front wheels and making the steering feel more linear and direct. As a result, the driver is able to gain more confidence and control behind the wheel. Meanwhile, for the passenger, this results in less head movement contributing to a more comfortable experience especially on long drives.



Keeping its occupants safe, the CX-9 also comes with a wide array of driver-assist features such as Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It also has adaptive automatic LED lighting, a 360-degree camera, and rain-sensing wipers.

The Mazda CX-9 commands your journey, and shows that there’s no need to compromise between needs and wants in a seven-seater SUV. Making this personal piece of luxury even more attainable, Mazda Philippines is offering every 2020 model year CX-9 AWD Signature with a P 200,000 discount which brings down its SRP to P 2,750,000 and a 5-year free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) package.



2020 Mazda CX-9 AWD Signature

• Price: P 2,950,000 (P 2,750,000 with P 200k special offer)
• Overall Length: 5,075 mm
• Overall Width: 1,960 mm
• Overall Height: 1,747 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,930 mm
• Minimum Ground Clearance: 220 mm
• Curb Weight: 1,929 kg
• Engine: 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G Turbo
• Maximum Power: 231 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
• Maximum Torque: 420 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 74 L
• Wheel Size: 255/50 R 20
• Exterior Features: adaptive LED headlamps with auto on/off, LED DRL, LED front fog lights, rain-sensing front wipers, sunroof, power folding side mirrors, power liftgate
• Interior Features: auburn Nappa leather, Santos rosewood accents, 8-way power driver’s seat with ventilation and dual memory, 6-way power adjustable front passenger’s seat with ventilation, 8-inch Mazda Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Bose sound system, 7-inch LCD display in instrument panel, automatic tri-zone climate control, rear door sunshade, frameless rear view mirror with auto dimming, one-touch power windows
• Safety Features: 6 SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, Dynamic Stability Control, G-Vectoring Control, smart keyless entry with push engine start/stop, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert