Ministry of Interior Affairs: 2021.5 Mazda CX-9 Signature

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If getting a luxury-level interior for a reasonable price is on your new vehicle wish list, you might want to check out what Mazda has been up to lately.

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For the last few years, the Japanese automaker has been on a self-described “journey to premium,” a slow process that’s seen both materials and execution improve in leaps and bounds, so far without any significant corresponding jump in price.

The Mazda CX-9 three-row SUV was one of the brand’s first vehicles to benefit from this shift. Since its launch for the 2016 model year, high-end finishes have been incorporated into higher trims at prices that remain attainable. This is particularly true of the Signature grade we’re examining here at the Ministry of Interior Affairs, which for the 2021.5 model year is priced at $54,550 including a $1,950 destination charge.

Why the unusual 2021.5 designation? There are several new Mazda SUVs coming sometime in 2022, both of which will supplant the CX-9 in the automaker’s lineup: the CX-90 is expected to be larger to some degree than the current CX-9, while the CX-70 that will follow it is meant to serve those drivers who bought a CX-9 only ever intending to use it as a two-row.

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In the meantime, as the CX-9 winds down, it continues to offer a compelling value proposition, particularly for the latter group who might only want a third row for occasional use. Premium touches in this Signature grade include real wood inserts, quilted leather, and quality touch points such as real chrome dials. The leather in the unit we tested is finished in a brown that’s so deep it looks black in certain light. This creates a subtle yet visually interesting effect, even if it does contribute to the interior feels darker than what’s typically considered fashionable these days.

In the upcoming CX-90 and CX-70 SUVs, we hope Mazda has taken the opportunity to review some of the even finer details such as building the centre console out of solid pieces of material and opting for an upscale upholstery on the headliner. Several of the brand’s mainstream competitors have begun offering these more upscale elements in their larger SUVs at a similar price point.

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Mazda styles itself as a driver-centric brand, which is an aesthetic that dominates the CX-9’s cabin. The centre console sits high, creating a divide in the front row that puts the driver in isolation. Technology is plentiful but subtle: a traditional-look instrument cluster features a digitized central speedometer; a head-up display is included; and a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen is built into the centre stack and houses the Mazda Connect infotainment system.

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This system generates strong opinions. Some people criticize it for the fact that the screen is not touch-based and can only be interacted with through the dial-based controller in the middle of the centre console, which buries some key features like radio station tuning a couple of layers deep in menus. While it’s true these are frustrations, I appreciate that the screen is positioned at close to eye level, that the navigation shows amenities off highway exits at a glance, and that making adjustments tends not to be as distracting as trying to find digital buttons on a touchscreen. Setting a series of radio station favourites or defaulting to the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality works to alleviate a lot of these up-front usability issues.

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Front-row passengers get the lion’s share of the feature amenities with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charging pad, two cupholders in the centre console, and a bottle holder and small pocket in each door panel. There are two USB-A ports in the centre storage bin, a space that is otherwise smaller than average. The charging pad and some of the HVAC controls are awkward to reach as they’re placed behind the traditional shifter, which is both pleasantly substantial yet bulky enough that it does tend to get in the way.

Second-row passengers get their share of attention in the Signature grade with a built-in centre console that includes controls for the heated seats (though ventilated seats are not available), two cup holders, a drawer at the front, and another clamshell-opening storage bin with two more USB-A ports. Head and leg room are both excellent, and manual sunshades are a benefit, though with only a single-pane sunroof included for the first row, this space feels darker than average. Each second-row door panel pocket includes a bottle holder, and the pockets on the backs of the front seats are laid out with two layers, which could be helpful for separating thinner items like books or magazines.

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As alluded to earlier, the CX-9 is a great larger two-row vehicle, but buyers looking to use the third row frequently should expect to make some compromises. Access to the rear requires moving the second-row seats forward using the lever on the top corner of the seatback. This positioning is convenient in that it’s accessible from both inside and outside the vehicle, but these seats are heavy and cumbersome to move back and forth. Once passengers are back there, they’ll find leg room needs to be negotiated with second-row passengers, head room is lacking at an official measurement of 899 millimetres, and the seat cushion is on the harder side and positioned relatively close to the floor. Each of the two seating positions can accommodate a LATCH-equipped car seat, bringing the total number of car seat positions to four and passengers to six. However, this space is heavy on lower-quality black plastic finishes. It’s also really only suited to smaller passengers such as children, and the smaller rear quarter window means those of smaller stature may not be able to see outside the vehicle and might find this space cramped and unpleasant as a result. That said, Mazda has provided two USB-A charging ports, one on each side, along with a single cupholder and small storage bin in each armrest, so it’s possible third-row occupants will be distracted enough by their devices that they won’t notice.

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The CX-9 has a high lift-over to access the cargo load floor. Plus, with the third-row seats upright, space is limited to 407 litres and the seat backs are so close to the cargo hatch as to nearly make contact. With the rear seats folded, a much more accommodating 1,082 litres becomes available, and when the second-row seats are laid into their nicely flat position, 2,017 litres open up. These figures are far from the leading end of the segment, but Mazda buyers go in knowing these elements tend not to be the brand’s higher priority. On the upside, the third-row seats are relatively light and easy to maneuver with their manual adjustment, and a fairly deep undertray sits below the top load floor to protect fragile items. Beneath that, a donut spare tire is on-board, and this space also includes a 12-volt outlet, a pair of grocery bag hooks on the sides, and four tie-down hooks.

The 2021.5 Mazda CX-9 Signature excels at what it’s designed to be: a near-premium mid-size two-row SUV with driver-centric features and quality finishes at a reasonable price. Those considering it as a daily-driving three-row SUV may find it requires too much compromise. But if you only want to have the third row on board for occasional use – and if excellent driving dynamics matter much more to you than outright interior space – you’ll find that Mazda’s largest vehicle still has plenty to offer as it sees itself out.