Mazda officially axes CX-9 after 2023 model year

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I could give you 90 reasons Mazda’s officially removed the CX-9 from its lineup in Canada, but the most important one is that the automaker’s simply added a zero. What I mean, more specifically, is that the aging CX-9 had to go away so the all-new, upscale CX-90 three-row crossover could replace it.

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It’s not a surprise, as the niche brand — let alone any brand — couldn’t justify building both models for the same segment. So it’s bye-bye CX-9. Debuting in 2007, and seeing its current second-generation update in 2015, the CX-9 was an important vehicle for Mazda, showing the Japanese marque could compete in the three-row world. But as the auto industry evolves (and moves toward electrification) Mazda opted to replace rather than re-tool the CX-9.

During the first-drive I did of the CX-90 earlier this year, I was impressed with its drivetrains, refinement, and overall improvement over all aspects versus the CX-9. The only carryover pieces were the Mazda logo; and three rows of seating, a smart move, despite the change from “-9” to “-90”. (And on that note, yes, although the new CX-50 runs somewhat parallel to the still-here CX-5, Mazda’s decided to generally move to a two-digit designation for its SUVs, what with it recently debuting the CX-30; and with the CX-60 and CX-70 on their way.)

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“After a successful run, Mazda Canada has decided to discontinue the CX-9 for the Canadian market following the conclusion of the 2023 model year,” Mazda Canada’s Product Communications Manager Chuck Reimer told Driving. “Offering a unique blend of utility, performance, design, and premium sensibilities, CX-9 proved to be a very capable family vehicle paving the way for Mazda’s new generation of vehicles, like the first-ever 2024 CX-90, which will be replacing the CX-9 as the only three-row offering in our lineup.”

“Production of the CX-9 for the Canadian market ended in April 2023. The CX-9 debuted in 2015 with the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine that’s now ubiquitous across our lineup, and our customers can expect parts support for the CX-9 for the foreseeable future.”

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The CX-9 was awarded AJAC’s Best Large Utility Vehicle in 2018 and 2019; and served the brand and the families that bought it quite well. Even as the company’s largest offering, it retained Mazda’s strong driving dynamics, a hallmark for the brand.

Alas, 2023 will be the last model year. But, hey, do you think Mazda will gift us with a special MazdaSpeed version of the CX-9 as a parting gift if we can get enough signatures? Asking for a friend—

Check out the specs on the latest Mazda CX-90 via our online shopping and comparison tool.