Every time that Mazda throws me the keys to their latest new model, I get excited. Of course it’s not quite the same as if Ferrari were to call and say that they were delivering a 488 Spider, but it’s still more exciting than many of Mazda’s competitors. The Mazda3 is one of the best compacts you can buy and you’ll never be in a bad mood behind the wheel of the new MX-5 Miata. So when Mazda gave me the keys to the new CX-9 crossover, I was excited to see how Mazda could add some excitement to the somewhat boring three-row crossover segment. Here are the five things I either hated or loved about the 2017 Mazda CX-9.
3Comfortable, stylish interior – for some
From the driver’s seat, the CX-9’s interior feels like a cockpit where everything is close at reach and not awkward, like some other crossover’s that feel more like a minivan with their high dashboards and weird center stacks. It also a nice premium feel that if it weren’t for the Mazda logo on the steering wheel, you could easily fool your friends into thinking they are in a luxury SUV.
Related: 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster (Review)
But not everything is great, with its three rows of seats the CX-9 can technically fit up to seven people, but that should come with a disclaimer. The CX-9’s stylish exterior comes at a cost – interior room. With its long hood and low roofline, the CX-9 won’t be as comfortable for some of the passengers in the rear, especially the unlucky friends that get stuck in the third row seat. The lack of legroom in the third row makes it more suitable for children.
