The Mazda CX-9 has been updated again,
this time for the 2020 model year. The seven-seat SUV was previously given some
new features back in October 2018, which included Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto support, a 360-degree camera as well as a ventilation function for the
front seats.
Buyers will still have two fully imported
(CBU) from Japan variants to choose from, both with nearly identical
specifications, with the only difference being whether you require all-wheel
drive. The 2WD version retails at RM 319,610.40 on-the-road without insurance,
while the 4WD variant will set you back RM 336,610.40. Both come with a
five-year/100,000 km warranty and five-year/100,000 km free maintenance. It
should be noted that the prices are RM 29,000 higher than before spec-for-spec
compared to before.
In terms of styling changes, the CX-9’s
badge and font designs have been altered to suit the carmaker’s latest
corporate identity, while a new grey metallic finish is applied on the
aluminium alloy wheels, which retain their 20-inch sizing. Inside, there is now
silver stitching on the black leather seats and the eight-inch Mazda Connect
infotainment touchscreen has been upgraded to a larger nine-inch unit, still
with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Commander
Control.
Less obvious additions include an
automatic brake hold button located near the electronic parking brake, while
the seatbelt reminder system now covers all three rows of seats instead of just
the front driver and passenger previously. Third-row passengers will also
benefit from two USB charging ports, which join the existing ones available to
those in the first and second row (two each).
The SkyActiv-G 2.5 litre turbocharged
four-cylinder petrol engine continues to be of service here, providing 228 hp
at 5,000 rpm and 420 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. It is paired with a
SkyActiv-Drive six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, with drive
going to the front wheels or all four via the i-Activ all-wheel drive system.
The AWD model now comes with Off-road Traction Assist, which is an extension of
the SUV’s Traction Control System (TCS). A dedicated button replaces the
regular traction control button here, and when engaged, assists the driver when
going over uneven terrain by reducing engine torque and increasing the braking
force on the wheels without traction.
Another new feature for the powertrain is
the i-Stop idling technology that wasn’t available previously, but the i-ELOOP
capacitor-based energy recovery system is still missing. Mazda’s G-Vectoring
Control Plus (GVC Plus) makes its way into the CX-9 as well, replacing the
previous G-Vectoring Control (GVC) system without torque vectoring by braking.
Standard equipment on both the 2WD and 4WD
variants includes automatic, self-levelling LED headlamps, LED taillights,
automatic wipers, a powered tailgate, a powered sunroof, front and rear parking
sensors (four on each end), as well as keyless entry and start. On the inside,
you get powered front seats, with the driver’s side having 10-way adjustability
and a two-position memory function, while the passenger has six-way
adjustability only. As mentioned earlier, seat ventilation and heating
functions are standard upfront. Moving further back, the second-row bench comes
in a 60:40 split with easy access controls to the third row, which is also a
bench but with a 50:50 split. Other items include a 4.6-inch instrument cluster
display, a coloured, windshield-projected Active Driving Display, triple-zone
climate control with second-row vents, a navigation function and a 12-speaker
Bose sound system.
The safety kit is pretty much unchanged
from before, and includes six airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS, DSC, EBD,
Emergency Brake Assist, the aforementioned TCS, Hill Launch Assist, Emergency
Stop Signal and Isofix child seat anchors for the outer, second-row seats. Also
retained is the i-ActivSense driving assistance and safety suite that consists
of Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross
Traffic Alert (RCTA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Lane Keep Assist
System (LAS) and Driver Attention Alert (DAA). The Smart City Brake Support
(SCBS) system is still here, but has been improved with pedestrian detection
for both the front and rear.
The CX-9 is available in a choice of five
colours – Deep Crystal Blue, Jet Black, Machine Grey, Snowflake White Pearl and
Sonic Silver – for both variants, and there are a few optional accessories on
offer. These include a tonneau cover for the boot that is priced at RM 2,600 and
safety tint film (Skytint) for RM 2,000.
