Mazda is a brand that has always been characterized by its sporty driving and impressive performance in all segments in which it is present. The same goes for the midsize three-row model.all terrain segment, which is ruled by the 2022 Mazda CX-9. Being the top model of the CX-9, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature is now being offered at a base MSRP of $47,560, also making it one of the best deals on best value for money.
There are no changes from this 2022 model year, and that's not a bad thing. The engine is very lively and the handling is something none of the rivals can do better. Ride quality is supple and the vehicle also comes with all the necessary interior and driver assistance features as standard. The elegant design language will not disappoint anyone either. Competing with people likepalisade hyundai,kia tellurides, ivolkswagen atlas, here are 10 things to know before you buyThe signature of the 2022 Mazda CX-9.
RELATED:See how the Mini Cooper EV puts the Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 RC F in their place on the strip
10 contemporary exterior styling
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature has always been a stylish three-row SUV, athe same design language of the outgoing modelcomes unchanged. Silver accents on the front fascia, adaptive LED headlamps with seamlessly integrated LED DRLs and chrome lower bumper accents add to the elegance of the front end. Even after seven years of production, it's still an attractive SUV.
If you get the optional carbon package, the car looks even better due to the inclusion of tinted items like the side mirrors, grille, and many others. The side profile is accentuated by chrome window trims and lower bezels, subtle fender flares and clean lines of character. The 21-inch wheels look bland, though, and it's about time Mazda updated them. There's also no change at the rear, which comes with the same LED taillights, dual exhaust with chrome surrounds, and a black lower bumper.
9 It is not the most spacious in the segment.
There are no changes in terms of interior space, and this will be a hindrance for some, especially thosefamilies who want a roomy third rowwithout compromising boot capacity. The third row doesn't offer the best headroom and legroom, and that makes it a bit less versatile than the Hyundai Palisade and Volkswagen Atlas. The 14.4 cubic foot cargo capacity behind the third row isn't the best either.
However, the first row is very spacious, and the seat offers the highest level of comfort. Stitched leather upholstery with premium side bolsters and under-thigh support make it the perfect long-distance commuter. The cabin is also very ergonomic. The same goes for the second row. The seats are excellent in terms of comfort and there is a large center armrest with two cup holders and a storage compartment. Headroom, legroom, and shoulder room are also on par with the competition.
RELATED:The Best Features of the 2003 Mazda RX-8
8 The quality of the interior is first class.
Priced very competitively at $47,560, the 2022 CX-9 Signature is easily one of the best in terms of interior quality and could even compete with many three-row luxury SUVs. The dashboard and door panels have soft plastic and leather inserts, and the seats are trimmed in premium leather with accent stitching and contrasting accents.
For journalists, the whole equipment feels very tactile, and plush armrests for first- and second-row passengers add to the comfort and elegance. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, solidly stacked infotainment screen, and rosewood trim on the center console are some of the other highlights. However, the third row had hard-touch plastics on the side bulkhead, which could be replaced with soft-touch materials.
7 A great family SUV thanks to many standard safety features
Like the outgoing model year, the 2022 Avatar gets everythingbells and whistles in terms of safetyand driving assistance systems as standard, making it an attractive proposition for family buyers. Standard driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
Other safety features like a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, ABS with EBD, and side-impact lights are also standard equipment. Build quality is top-notch for the segment. All of this contributes to a 5-star overall safety rating in the NHTSA crash test and a Top Safety selection in the IIHS crash test.
6 Infotainment is not a touch screen
The same 10.25" Mazda Connect infotainment system hasn't changed, iThe only drawback is the lack of touch screen support.. Other than that, though, it's a great unit with all the features you need, a smooth and simple interface, and great display quality. The infotainment is controlled by a rotary dial attached to the center console, and it works very well.
The screen bezels are minimal and the infotainment is perfectly positioned, making it easy for the driver to see while on the move. All entertainment and connectivity features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM Radio, navigation, Bluetooth, voice recognition and more come standard. The 12-speaker Bose audio system does a decent job of reproducing clear vocals, though it's not an audiophile-level experience.
RELATED:Fun with Mazdom MX-5 Miatom and Toyota GR86
5 The engine could have been a bit more powerful.
Under the hood, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature comes with the same turbocharged 2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G inline-4 engine mated to a SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission and AWD. The car makes 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque and can do 0-60 mph in 7 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.4 seconds.
The 3,500-pound maximum towing capacity is similar to the competition, too. If you put premium gas in, the performance numbers jump to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful than the Palisade and Telluride. Low-speed grunt is impressive, and the car is a joy to drive on highways thanks to its wide torque range. Still, we'd like it to come with multiple gears, like rivals from Honda and Hyundai.
4 Best-in-class handling
Mazda is a brand that has always been synonymous with impressive driving dynamics, and that DNA is injected into the CX-9 Signature. Although the large exterior dimensions suggest a comfortable crossover SUV, it's a lot of fun to drive with its neutral suspension setup, well-designed chassis, and precise, feedback-rich steering.
SKYACTIV AWD ensures you have more fun with the crossover and doesn't limit power during enthusiastic driving. As a result, the car offers little oversteer when cornering very quickly and enthusiastically, unlike any other crossover. The car has an excellent level of grip and body roll is minimal. The steering increases appropriately as speed increases, providing confidence to the driver.
3 flexible ride quality
The independent front and rear suspension system is set up in a neutral configuration, which means the car glides over most bumps and potholes with ease. Slow ride quality is excellent, and road undulations and headlight projections are no problem for the CX-9. Only the largest holes leak into the cabin, even then they do not push the passengers.
The ride quality at high speeds can be called the best in its class and is one step above the Honda Passport. The car rides smoothly at highway speeds and doesn't have the shakes and bounces normally found in crossover SUVs. The inclination of the body is minimal, acomfortable seats help passengerskeep smooth.
RELATED:10 Things to Know Before Buying a 2022 Mazda MX-30
2 sharp braking performance
Like most rivals, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature's braking performance is excellent. The CX-9's progressive braking performance is also partly responsible for the impressive driving dynamics, for which even inexperienced drivers will appreciate it.
12.6" front and 12.8" rear rotors make stopping a thrilling experience. All other braking features such as ABS, EBD, automatic emergency braking, brake assist, hill hold control and smart city braking support are offered. The 70-0 mph stopping distance of 169 feet is also the best in the segment.
1 Solid Fuel Efficiency Data
With a turbocharged inline-4 engine mated to a well-tuned 6-speed automatic transmission, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature is a great proposition in terms of fuel efficiency. The car was able to get 22 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, which equates to a combined fuel economy of 24 MPG.
A 19-gallon fuel tank capacity is all it takes to offer a best-in-class tank. With a full tank of fuel, the car could cover 418 miles in the city and an incredible 532 miles on the highway. If it had more gears it could have returned even better fuel efficiency numbers.