The 2022 Mazda CX-9 retains the same dignified and seductive Kodo: Soul of Motion design presence owners have come to appreciate over the years
The typical life cycle of a Japanese car ranges from five to six years. During this time, it will receive a few design, mechanical or feature enhancements to keep it in step with what the competition offers. This ensures respectable sales numbers even as the generation comes to a close.
Sometimes though, a product can be so good that even with the newer, fancier gadgets, gimmicks, trims and features of the competition, it can still hold its own. Take for example the Mazda CX-9.
Introduced locally at the Manila International Auto Show in 2017, Mazda’s flagship seven-seater crossover has truly made a name for itself among high-end buyers of the brand. With its commanding yet alluring presence, it easily resonated well with company CEOs, presidents and vice-presidents, business owners, celebrities and high-income executives.
The stylish and sophisticated exterior design has aged well over the years and proof of that is hardly any cosmetic enhancements have made their way on the CX-9 for 2022. There is the new grille mesh that looks more technical and modern. And then the fresh set of 20-inch bright silver alloy wheels introduced for the top-ranging AWD Exclusive variant. But aside from that, the 2022 Mazda CX-9 retains the same dignified and seductive Kodo: Soul of Motion design presence we have come to appreciate over the years.
While the premium crossover essence remains, Mazda customers are getting a new set of CX-9 options for 2022. For those who are content with a front-wheel drive configuration, the newly launched Mazda CX-9 Black Edition showcases a blacked out finish of the redesigned grille and the existing 20-inch wheels. This creates a sportier yet more elegant vibe for the nameplate. Meanwhile, Mazda Philippines continues to carry a less chromed CX-9 option in the FWD Touring variant with 18-inch wheels and the original grille design retained.
Inside, the three variants can be distinguished by the kind of seat appointments they have. The CX-9 Touring sports black leather seats. The CX-9 Black Edition features Burgundy or red leather appointments. And the CX-9 Exclusive is adorned with Oriental Brown Nappa Leather seats with a new diamond stitch pattern, accent piping, as well as cool air seat ventilation.
The Exclusive is the only variant to keep a sunroof for now, yet another telltale sign of why it deserves to be at the top of the range. These latest interior and seating design enhancements to the middle and top tier trims are supposed to reflect the character and personality that potential buyers of both can identify with as they make their choice.
For added convenience, the Mazda Connect infotainment screen has been bumped up from 8-inches to 9.2 across the range. The exquisite 12-speaker Bose sound system layout has been retained for the Black Edition and the Exclusive. And the system now connects to Apple CarPlay wirelessly to match the new wireless charging pad that can power a mobile phone without the need for USB cables. Speaking of USB ports, the boss at the back can plug in and charge with two available USB slots hidden in the second row center armrest.
Now we use the term boss rather loosely here. While it is true that many in the Philippine market who have opted for the Mazda CX-9 have done so because of its flagship status in the brand, in other countries this is still a seven-seat family crossover albeit finished more luxuriously. And whether the passengers are bigtime executives or members of their family, they will get to appreciate the extra level of safety the CX-9 has to offer for 2022.
The Exclusive variant gets the boatload of i-Activsense safety features with Mazda Radar Cruise Control now standard in it. This new system first introduced locally in the 2019 Mazda3, the CX-30 and the CX-8 can not only peg a speed on the highway, it can now also adjust this according to the speed of the car in front. It can also maintain a set distance to the other car even when it slows down or speeds up.
I-Activsense also includes collision prevention technologies such as Adaptive LED Headlamps, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Smart City Brake Support for the front and rear. The latter applies braking force when the windshield mounted laser system or the rear radar sensors detect imminent impact at speeds between 4 km/h to 30 km/h.
As we mentioned at the start, why should Mazda mess with a proven formula when the formula still remains to be sound? Especially if you have a futureproof drivetrain ready to deliver efficient and potent power on a whim.
This explains why the 2022 CX-9 retains its award-winning 2.5-liter Skyactiv Turbocharged gasoline engine and six-speed transmission. Users have continued to praise this drivetrain combination for its intuitive response, and smooth power delivery. With the Mazda i-Activ All-Wheel Drive system that is now only available in the Exclusive variant, new CX-9 owners can continue to experience confidence and reassurance on or off the road.
Mazda has also included its in-house developed G-Vectoring Control Plus software driver aid. Now only does it make cornering smoother, it now also makes corner exit more stable and surefooted. Now for a large crossover such as the CX-9, having these driver assistance features only add to the already high level of satisfaction behind the wheel.
The Mazda CX-9 continues to be one of the most confidence-inspiring crossovers in the local market today. But the 2022 prices for the CX-9 are not exactly cheap. The CX-9 Touring starts at P2.490 million; the CX-9 Black Edition at P2.79 million; and the CX-9 Exclusive at P2.99 million. And there are SUVs out there that are more loaded and brimming with tech at similar or even lower price points.
Despite the aspirational pricing however, there is a certain level of value that an average SUV buyer will not be able to fully comprehend just by reading the CX-9’s spec sheet. And this is the value of joy, fulfillment and gratification a CX-9 driver gets when he or she is behind the wheel.
And that is simply priceless.
