FYI, here are the differences between the 2013 and 2012-earlier models.\
Exterior-
Redesigned front end
Revised taillights and minor changes to rear end
Interior-
Standard touchscreen audio system on all models (navigation ready)
Two-tone leather replaced with solid-color perforated leather
Features-
All of the following apply to the Grand Touring models only-
Side view mirrors integrated into memory system with drivers seat position settings
Tilt-in-reverse drivers side mirror
Only the high-beams were Xenon (HID) on 2012 and earlier models; the 2013 has Bi-Xenon headlights
The Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Drive System & Power Liftgate (formerly optional) are now standard on GT models
Touring/Grand Touring models now have Rear Backup Sensors (sonar-based) and a revised, upgraded Rearview Camera system.
Now to answer your questions-
Other vehicles considered- My cousin has a 2011 GMC Acadia and I had driven it a few times, which was enough to know that I didnt want one (or its siblings- the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave). The only others I considered were the Honda Pilot and the pricier Acura MDX (which is based the Pilot). I also drove the Infiniti JX35 Crossover just for comparison sake before I signed on the dotted line for the CX-9. It only reaffirmed that the CX-9 was the right choice.
DISLIKES- (they are few and rather petty)
-When approaching the vehicle, opening the Power Liftgate using the smart key/fob is needlessly complicated. You must first press the Unlock button twice to unlock all doors (including the back hatch), then you press and hold the OPEN button for 1-2 seconds until it starts opening. But you end up standing there waiting for it to open for 10-12 seconds..
-The backup camera is pretty useless. While it allows you to see if anything or anyone is behind you, it does NOTHING to help you when backing up. The 2013 has a larger, much more useful display and Backup Sensors (beeping) that remedy this problem.
-I was a bit surprised by the limited color options on the CX-9. Most competitors offer 8-10 or more colors to choose from. I loved the Liquid Silver Metallic, but it only came with Black interior and I wanted Sand interior. I narrowed it down to the Dolphin Gray and Crystal White Pearl, but like either of them nearly as much as the Silver. I ultimately picked the Pearl White, but sometimes wish I had gone with the Dolphin Gray instead (despite the odd green hue it has in certain lighting conditions). They added a color for 2013 called Meteor Gray that looks awesome on the CX-9 GT and it is available with Black or Sand interior, so its the one Id pick nowbut mine still looks sharp as long as I keep it spotless!
LIKES/LOVES- (Ill generalize or well be here all night)
-Handling- it drives more like my Mazda3 than any other SUV/CUV. It drives like a much smaller vehicle and always feels glued to road.
-Performance- 273hp is pretty average for the mid-size/large CUV class, but the CX-9 feels faster than any Ive ever driven. A lot of the credit goes to the 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission, which I sometimes swear is telepathic! It always seems to be in the right gear and, when you need power, it will downshift two or even three gears almost instantly. It also has a nice, sporty growl (but never sounds unpleasant) which I enjoy.
- Interior comfort and Versatility- The 2nd row can be adjusted fore/aft by up to 11 or so to provide extra legroom for the 3rd row. It also tilts and slides forward to provide easy access to the 3rd row. The 3rd row seatbacks are a model of simplicity in terms or raising or lowering them. You simply pull on a nylon strap and fold it up or down. The front seats are comfortable even after 300 miles on the highway.
- Features- I love the Bose Audio System and the Blind Spot Monitor, as well as the little touches like the split-armrest and steering wheel controls for the Bluetooth hands-free phone and the audio system.
- Being different- I routinely have strangers ask what kind of car it is, followed by how much they like it!
I could go on and on, but Ill share a brief story with you that speaks volumes-
I have a cousin who lives in L.A. and she has spent the last three years battling and recovering from Inflammatory Breast Cancer. She had her final reconstructive surgery right before Thanksgiving (2012). Her mother is in a nursing home her in Georgia and she desperately wanted to come home for Christmas because her mom probably wont see another one. But due to some issues following her surgery, she wasnt cleared for travel.until December 23rd. So she paid several thousand dollars for last-minute airfare for the five of them and headed to Atlanta. She tried to arrange a rental car from her iPad while they were waiting to board at LAX, only to be told that she was out of luck!
But she knows theres always someone who will come through for her, no matter what- so called Cousin Jason (me)! I live about 70 miles away from the Atlanta airport, but I gladly offered to pick them up and take them to their hotel and find them a rental car. Five hours later, we were packing her and her hubby and three kids and their luggage into my new CX-9 (exactly 24 days old at that time).
I made some calls expecting to find a full-size sedan or SUV rental from one of my connections (Im an insurance agent). But everyone was booked solid. What I did next is proof that she (Cousin Joy) is by far my favorite cousin and actually is more like a sister to me and I adore her. I still have my 2006 Mazda3 (bought new in 2005) and my first thought was to offer to loan it to them while they were in town. Then I remembered a conversation we had during one of my visits to L.A. that neither of them had ever learned to drive a manual transmission. So I did the unthinkable, I insisted that they use my brand new CX-9 for the week!!!
They returned it with a full tank of gas and had it detailed the day before, so it was cleaner than when it was new. They also tried, in vain, to pay me. On the return trip to the airport, her and her hubby both kept raving about how much they loved it and even the kids loved it because they could access the 3rd row so easily.
They flew home on December 29th (2012). Two days later, on New Years Eve, Joy called me to wish me a Happy New Year.and to tell me that she was calling from her 2013 CX-9 Grand Touring! They had just traded in her 2008 Lexus GX470 (a $60k vehicle when new) on the CX-9! The dealer wasnt as surprised as they were expecting, until he showed them several other late-model Lexus SUV trade-ins on the used car lot! =)
Exterior-
Redesigned front end
Revised taillights and minor changes to rear end
Interior-
Standard touchscreen audio system on all models (navigation ready)
Two-tone leather replaced with solid-color perforated leather
Features-
All of the following apply to the Grand Touring models only-
Side view mirrors integrated into memory system with drivers seat position settings
Tilt-in-reverse drivers side mirror
Only the high-beams were Xenon (HID) on 2012 and earlier models; the 2013 has Bi-Xenon headlights
The Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Drive System & Power Liftgate (formerly optional) are now standard on GT models
Touring/Grand Touring models now have Rear Backup Sensors (sonar-based) and a revised, upgraded Rearview Camera system.
Now to answer your questions-
Other vehicles considered- My cousin has a 2011 GMC Acadia and I had driven it a few times, which was enough to know that I didnt want one (or its siblings- the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave). The only others I considered were the Honda Pilot and the pricier Acura MDX (which is based the Pilot). I also drove the Infiniti JX35 Crossover just for comparison sake before I signed on the dotted line for the CX-9. It only reaffirmed that the CX-9 was the right choice.
DISLIKES- (they are few and rather petty)
-When approaching the vehicle, opening the Power Liftgate using the smart key/fob is needlessly complicated. You must first press the Unlock button twice to unlock all doors (including the back hatch), then you press and hold the OPEN button for 1-2 seconds until it starts opening. But you end up standing there waiting for it to open for 10-12 seconds..
-The backup camera is pretty useless. While it allows you to see if anything or anyone is behind you, it does NOTHING to help you when backing up. The 2013 has a larger, much more useful display and Backup Sensors (beeping) that remedy this problem.
-I was a bit surprised by the limited color options on the CX-9. Most competitors offer 8-10 or more colors to choose from. I loved the Liquid Silver Metallic, but it only came with Black interior and I wanted Sand interior. I narrowed it down to the Dolphin Gray and Crystal White Pearl, but like either of them nearly as much as the Silver. I ultimately picked the Pearl White, but sometimes wish I had gone with the Dolphin Gray instead (despite the odd green hue it has in certain lighting conditions). They added a color for 2013 called Meteor Gray that looks awesome on the CX-9 GT and it is available with Black or Sand interior, so its the one Id pick nowbut mine still looks sharp as long as I keep it spotless!
LIKES/LOVES- (Ill generalize or well be here all night)
-Handling- it drives more like my Mazda3 than any other SUV/CUV. It drives like a much smaller vehicle and always feels glued to road.
-Performance- 273hp is pretty average for the mid-size/large CUV class, but the CX-9 feels faster than any Ive ever driven. A lot of the credit goes to the 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission, which I sometimes swear is telepathic! It always seems to be in the right gear and, when you need power, it will downshift two or even three gears almost instantly. It also has a nice, sporty growl (but never sounds unpleasant) which I enjoy.
- Interior comfort and Versatility- The 2nd row can be adjusted fore/aft by up to 11 or so to provide extra legroom for the 3rd row. It also tilts and slides forward to provide easy access to the 3rd row. The 3rd row seatbacks are a model of simplicity in terms or raising or lowering them. You simply pull on a nylon strap and fold it up or down. The front seats are comfortable even after 300 miles on the highway.
- Features- I love the Bose Audio System and the Blind Spot Monitor, as well as the little touches like the split-armrest and steering wheel controls for the Bluetooth hands-free phone and the audio system.
- Being different- I routinely have strangers ask what kind of car it is, followed by how much they like it!
I could go on and on, but Ill share a brief story with you that speaks volumes-
I have a cousin who lives in L.A. and she has spent the last three years battling and recovering from Inflammatory Breast Cancer. She had her final reconstructive surgery right before Thanksgiving (2012). Her mother is in a nursing home her in Georgia and she desperately wanted to come home for Christmas because her mom probably wont see another one. But due to some issues following her surgery, she wasnt cleared for travel.until December 23rd. So she paid several thousand dollars for last-minute airfare for the five of them and headed to Atlanta. She tried to arrange a rental car from her iPad while they were waiting to board at LAX, only to be told that she was out of luck!
But she knows theres always someone who will come through for her, no matter what- so called Cousin Jason (me)! I live about 70 miles away from the Atlanta airport, but I gladly offered to pick them up and take them to their hotel and find them a rental car. Five hours later, we were packing her and her hubby and three kids and their luggage into my new CX-9 (exactly 24 days old at that time).
I made some calls expecting to find a full-size sedan or SUV rental from one of my connections (Im an insurance agent). But everyone was booked solid. What I did next is proof that she (Cousin Joy) is by far my favorite cousin and actually is more like a sister to me and I adore her. I still have my 2006 Mazda3 (bought new in 2005) and my first thought was to offer to loan it to them while they were in town. Then I remembered a conversation we had during one of my visits to L.A. that neither of them had ever learned to drive a manual transmission. So I did the unthinkable, I insisted that they use my brand new CX-9 for the week!!!
They returned it with a full tank of gas and had it detailed the day before, so it was cleaner than when it was new. They also tried, in vain, to pay me. On the return trip to the airport, her and her hubby both kept raving about how much they loved it and even the kids loved it because they could access the 3rd row so easily.
They flew home on December 29th (2012). Two days later, on New Years Eve, Joy called me to wish me a Happy New Year.and to tell me that she was calling from her 2013 CX-9 Grand Touring! They had just traded in her 2008 Lexus GX470 (a $60k vehicle when new) on the CX-9! The dealer wasnt as surprised as they were expecting, until he showed them several other late-model Lexus SUV trade-ins on the used car lot! =)
