10 Things: 2022 Mazda CX-9 Carbon Edition
I spent a week in the CX-9 Carbon Edition, here are 10 things every buyer should know...
Thanks to Mazda, I was able to spend a week in the beautiful 2022 CX-9 Carbon Edition AWD. Here are the 10 things I think every potential buyer should know.
Carbon Edition is the best trim for the CX-9
At almost $45K, the CX-9 Carbon Edition sits in the middle of all of the trims for the CX-9. The base SUV starts at $39K, and I think the Carbon Edition adds the perfect blend of features, plus you get a unique polymetal gray (i.e. “flat gray”) exterior paint, 20” black wheels, and red leather. Some of my favorite features the Carbon Edition adds are a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated 2nd-row captain’s chairs, auto-folding side mirrors, and a hands-free rear liftgate. Between the exclusive “alternative” look and added luxury features, I’d definitely go for this trim if you need to haul kids, cargo, or anything else in style.
The standard CX-9 is very well-equipped
With standard all-wheel drive, adaptive radar cruise control with stop and go, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitor, LED headlights and taillights, auto high-beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, wireless phone charger, and a 10.25” high definition media screen, the CX-9 is a luxury SUV no matter what trim you choose (and it should be with a starting price in the high $30’s).
The 10.25” center media screen has super nice graphics
I’ve said it before in my Mazda reviews - the graphics on the media screens they use are very high quality and in line with what you would get on a luxury car. For the CX-9, the 10.25” screen feels substantial (and has probably grown over the years through upgrades) and matches the luxury feel of the cabin overall.
The CX-9 has a solid amount of torque
The CX-9 has a turbo four-cylinder engine making 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque (on premium fuel - you get slightly less if you use regular, which you are allowed to do). Even though this is a heavy car, that amount of torque gives you the added oomph you need to give this SUV a bit of life. There’s nothing worse than driving a big heavy car with no punch.
It’s the little luxuries that make you feel good
Having driven several luxury cars over the years, there were a few small features that made this thing feel more Audi than Mazda. These include the power-folding side mirrors (when you lock the car, they auto-fold and you only really get that on luxury cars), the adaptive front headlights (when you turn the steering wheel, the lights move in the direction of the road), and the heated steering wheel - not of huge use in Southern California but a nice comfort nonetheless.
The MPG was one of the few things I didn’t like
Every CX-9 gets 20 city and 26 highway MPG. Granted, competing SUVs like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade are in the same neighborhood. The Toyota Highlander does a bit better with 21/29 MPG. Depending on how much you drive (and maybe I just drive a lot), it would be tough to stomach this type of MPG with gas still at $5 in California. For local drivers or folks used to this type of range (which SUV buyers probably are), it’s less of an issue. I’d love to see a plug-in hybrid or EV option down the road, which I’m sure Mazda is working on.
I’d love to go on a road trip in the second row
With the captain’s chairs on the Carbon Edition, the second row was pure comfort and felt like I was riding around in a Mercedes. The seats are plush, heated, have armrests, and recline. The second-row windows also have their own window shades (which I found to be a pure luxury), plus your own USB ports and vents. It is definitely where you want to be on a long trip. The third row, however, was quite small and would be best suited to children. The second-row captain’s chairs do slide forward so with a little bit of adjustment I’m sure adults could fit back there - they just wouldn't be comfortable for hours.
The Bose Centerpoint surround sound system was next level
I am pretty particular when it comes to upgraded sound systems in cars (and Mazda’s base sound system is already one of the best in the business). But the upgraded Bose Centerpoint system in this car really took things to the next level. It was super impressive - I could drown my ears in my road trip ballads and the system was never pushed to its limits before my own ears were. Definitely felt higher-end than what people might expect from a Mazda and another reason why I would cross-shop the CX-9 with luxury SUV’s. You get similar features but with Mazda reliability and maintenance costs.
The lane keep assist is just ok
Mazda will probably improve this on its next generation of cars, but the lane keep assist on the current generation of Mazda’s is just ok. It will bring the car back over once you veer out of your lane, but it is not like the preventative lane-centering assist systems you get standard in cars like the Honda’s and Hyundai’s I’ve recently tested. Those systems make sure your car doesn’t ever leave it’s lane, and is much closer to “self-driving” than anything on the Mazda (though no system is good enough for you to take your hands off the wheel). That said, Mazda’s adaptive cruise control is very strong and consistent and the standard blind spot monitor is also a great touch.
People might hesitate to buy a $40-50K Mazda, but it’s smart
Some people might be tempted to go for an entry-level Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc. at this price point, but I found that the CX-9 Carbon Edition provides most of the luxuries you’d get from those brands at a slight discount and with reliability and lower maintenance costs that can’t be beaten. I think the CX-9 is a great option for a lot of people, and the looks of the Carbon Edition really give luxury brands a run for their money.