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The Bottom Line: An interesting automotive factoid is that the Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly referred to simply as Mazda, turned 100 years old on January 20 th 2020. The company was started in 1920 and today is a Japanese multinational automaker based in Fuchū, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Where Are Mazda's Made? Unlike its Japanese rivals like Honda and Toyota, Mazda does not build very many vehicles in North America. The majority of Mazda's production happens in Japan, with the automaker operating only a handful of manufacturing facilities abroad. Mazda plans to build crossover vehicles for the U.S. market at a new plant in America, starting with the 2022 model year.
That said, the quality of all their vehicles are built to a very high worldwide standard. Mazda's are constantly rated at excellent in fit and finish, and in overall build quality.
When you sit in a Mazda everything is where it should be. With easy to understand controls that let you pick and choose seating, climate, sound and navigation easily. No
oddball center stack with layers of screens to change the volume on the radio. Just turn the knob. Sounds reasonable, but not all manufactures make it this easy to operate the simple stuff.
Now on to the test car. This week Mazda sent me a 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature Edition All Wheel Drive Crossover to test drive. Mazda makes several models of cars and crossovers. The CX-9 is the largest crossover they make, and the Signature Edition is the model with the most options, with the highest price. As the base CX-9 starts at only $33,890, and that price is for 2 rows of seating and a 2 wheel drive model. My test car came with 3 rows of seating, AWD all wheel drive, and every safety and security option available. But even loaded up with everything, the total MSRP manufactures suggested retail price came to only $47,855.
While near $48,000 is not pocket change, in the SUV world this would be a starting price, not the top of the line most expensive model. Mazda does not market the CX-9 as a SUV sport utility vehicle, but as a crossover. They are also called a CUV, a Crossover Utility Vehicle. And what is a crossover? It is a type of vehicle with unibody construction.
Crossovers are often based on a platform shared with a passenger car, compared to truck based SUVs, they typically have better interior comfort, a more comfortable ride, and superior fuel economy, but have lower off road capability.
Crossovers are the best of all 3 worlds of transportation, part minivan, part station wagon, part SUV. The crossover vehicle can do most everything a SUV can do, but not to go off roading. You can buy a 4WD 4 wheel drive truck, or a SUV for that. Mazda builds crossovers that serve the purpose of everyday life, in style, comfort and safety.
The test vehicle for this week is a 2020 Mazda CX-9 Soul Red Crystal Metallic CUV with a Parchment Nappa leather interior Signature Edition All Wheel Drive Crossover with a base price $46,115. The options on the test car are: A rear cargo mat for $100 and the Soul Red Chrystal Metallic paint for $595. The total MSRP price, including the $1,045 destination charge, came to: $47,855.
This top of the line CX-9 Signature model has every option that you would want in a crossover vehicle. All Wheel Drive driven by a Skyactiv-G 2.5L liter 4 cylinder 227 HP horse power Turbo engine, power everything, including the tailgate and moonroof, 20" alloy wheels with 255 50 R20 all season tires, 3 row 8 passenger seating with dual center consoles, a full leather trimmed interior, and a multiple camera set up that displays not only the back up view, but a front camera, and a surround view camera display. You have a 360 degree view all around the vehicle at ground level, with full front and rear views, so you can see all the real estate around the vehicle before you back up, or go forward.
The camera's are fantastic in that they give you the piece of mind that you can see every where that the car is going. All manufactures should have this full 360 degree view display in every vehicle sold in the US, and worldwide for that matter. This is the best camera set up available from any car builder today. You can see what is on both sides of the car, plus the front and rear areas, before you move an inch. It does not get much better then this in knowing exactly what is around your car, and when it's safe to drive away.
Mazda builds and sells crossovers in a wide range of sizes. They start with the CX-3, and then move up to the CX-5, and top out with the CX-9 as the largest one offered. The CX-9 has the most interior space, cargo room, amenities, accessories, safety features, and comfort zones of all 3 models. If you are in the market for an SUV, take a good look at a Mazda CX-9 CUV, and you will realize that a Signature Edition CX-9 is the best of all worlds in size, price and driving pleasure, for you and your family. A word to the wise is sufficient. And Stay Safe.
Remember “You Are What You Drive ©”
And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line Review is provided by: Tony Leopardo © AutoWire.Net.
"Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net or visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
Column Name: You Are What You Drive - A Bottom Line Review
Topic: The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature Edition All Wheel Drive Crossover
Word Count: 1,039
Photo Caption: The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature Edition All Wheel Drive Crossover
Photo Credits: Mazda Internet Media
Series number: 2020 - 09
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2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature Edition
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2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature Edition
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