#1
Mazda CX-9
By Dr. Hanningtone Gaya
Since its introduction in 2016, the CX-9 has stood in time as Mazda’s brand flagship. The CX-9 is a stand-up example of both Mazda’s premium aspirations, and its technical merit in terms of engine and platform flexibility. While there have been no earth shattering updates since the initial launch, the all-new Mazda CX-9 Signature shows the brand’s knack for rolling out incremental annual improvements that keep the product fresh and the technology contemporary.
Mazda as a brand has been courting buyers since the introduction of the CX-9, charming the East African region since it arrived on the shores. Its unfussy drive, comfortable surrounds and decent technology, leaves a more than favourable impression, and the Japanese manufacturer periodically uses well-spaced updates to keep the CX-9 spruced up and part of the motoring conversation among discerning car enthusiasts.
The All New 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature represents the flagship of the range, with its new bold exterior badging design, with signature all round chrome ascents. This flagship model comes with Mazda advanced keyless entry system as well as an automatic walk-away locking system.
Premium interior
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature model’s interior comes in Dark Oriental Brown Quilted Nappa leather seating surfaces with premium white stitching.
Centre console and door panels come with the stylish Santos Rosewood trim and aluminium accents.
Both Front seats come with 10 position power adjust with 2- position memory settings for driver’s seat with power lumbar support.
LED illumination on door-pockets and overhead interior lighting with intensity control form part of the premium interior finish.
Dashboard material and door panels comprise of quality soft leather touch materials. Wide high mounted center console with LED illumination houses the BOSE® Premium 294Watt 12-speaker audio system and 3D full Local Navigation maps controls.
Premium wide armrest with dual opening function with dual USB and Auxiliary as well as SD slot card connections are part of the premium interior. Multifunction 9’’ color screen display panel with full 360-degree view camera.
The Mazda CX-9 Signature interior also features a power moonroof, an interior signature LED lighting on roof panels, front A/C ventilated seats, front and rear heated seats and independent rear A/C control switches with full digital display.
One-touch front and rear power windows control system, rear privacy glass, with premium rear doors pull up blinders and a third row with seat belts, cup holders, USB outlets for maximum convenience complete the interior premium features.
Multifunction Display
The 2022 CX-9 comes with the 9-inch MAZDA CONNECT™ infotainment screen. There is the new addition of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility together with Wireless phone charging system. Active Driving Heads Up Display with speed and navigation indication as well as traffic sign recognition. Six USB ports are available to accommodate all passengers and their devices including the 3rd row seats.
Performance Technologies
These include smart city brake support (SBS), automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist system (LAS), lane-departure warning (LDW), full-speed Mazda radar cruise control (MRCC), traffic sign recognition (TSR), rain-sensing front wipers and rear automatic wiper, dynamic I-Activ and Intelligent AWD system, dynamic stability system (DSC) and traction control system (TSC) for maximum stability control.
Signature Lighting
This incorporates adaptive LED headlamps (ALH), automatic high beam control (HBC), front LED foglamps, rear LED lighting, LED turn indicators on side mirrors, front and rear chrome ascents and front and rear parking sensors.
Practicality
The all-new Mazda CX-9 offers the advanced foot-activated power liftgate with adjustable height control for ease of reach.
Both second and third rows can easily be folded forward to create a large boot space. Dual chromed exhaust pipes as well as signature rear chromed bumper further compliment the bold stylish look whilst enhancing feel of total performance.
Signature Alloy Rims
The 2022 CX-9 comes with the signature brushed aluminium 20-inch alloy wheels with an impressive 222mm ground clearance. The updated refined and retuned suspension offers a smoother, quieter and more natural ride and greater sound suppression by way of a thicker headliner and thicker floor mats, which aid in ease of natural conversation and enjoyment.
The incorporated Skyactiv-chassis has strut suspension at front and multi-link suspension at the rear.
The CX-9 GT Carbon Edition
The new addition, the 2022 CX-9 GT Carbon Edition, comes with the following featured highlights:
- Blacked out Chrome grill styling.
- Blacked outer side mirrors styling with LED turn indicators.
- Signature Blacked out styling 20-inch Aluminium alloy wheels.
- Burgundy Red Leather 7-row seats.
- Red interior stitching on door panels, center console.
Skyactiv Engine
Mazda’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine delivers 170 kW at 5000rpm and robust 420 Nm of torque at 2000rpm peak outputs, partnered with a Skyactiv-Drive 6 speed automatic transmission. It’s an engine designed more for effortless torque with a big body to lug around, capable of swiftly overtaking or ducking into a gap in traffic, with glee. The Mazda CX-9’s Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre direct injection turbocharged engine offers driving excitement never before felt in a car of its size, when running on high Octane petrol (93).
The engine is smooth and with the silence of a church during the weekdays. The transmission is fluid with smooth changes in gears. If you plan to go upcountry, and cover gravel roads or wet areas often, the AWD all-new Signature is the choice.
Inside the cabin is serene. Road and wind noise are well insulated for hassle and fatigue free. Drive. The ride is comfortable even on the 20-inch wheels. The ability to shrug off choppy gravel roads and smooth out speed humps on roughly designed road surfaces impressive.
When most of your day is a crazy merry-go-round, it is nice to step into a car that is both spacious and comfortable, and behaves on the road in the manner it proclaims on the tin. The Mazda CX-9 is a confident, capable drive, enhanced in this case by the premium feel of the top-spec Signature.
All this in a package that, although obviously large, doesn’t feel like one. Instead, the CX-9’s sporting verve, tidy handling, and sterling performance is up to the task in luxurious motoring.
Verdict
In a nutshell, inside the all-new Mazda CX-9 Signature and Carbon Edition, premium design and luxury meets family. The Mazda CX-9 Signature is the ultimate blend of stunning sophistication and large family SUV, all at an affordable price.
Make your way to the Mazda Division of the giant Al-Futtaim Automotive CMC Motors Group on Lusaka Road, Nairobi, for a glance and a demonstration of the all-new Mazda CX-9 Signature or its sibling, the GT Carbon Edition and sample the stunning model that is turning heads on the roads, as it slips by. You will be stunned by the curves in the right places and its elegant and premium appearance in a choice of metallic or mica colours and a variety of seat covers in leather red, silk beige or black or the premium Nappa leather in oriental brown.
My choice is titanium flash or deep crystal blue mica body colours. All the leather seat colours look sumptuous.
