Advice & Questions

[Possible Newbie]

Hi, I have been checking out your boards and I see you guys really know your stuff. Just wondering if I could get some info. I currently drive a Toyota Sienna and have 4 year old twin boys. I just love the look of the CX-9 and would really like to get away from the "minivan". A few things I am wondering..
1. Can you fit three carseats across the second row? Or can you fit two side by side and put one in the back?

2. Doe anyone know when they are going to change the design of this model? I hate to buy a car and a year later they change the look, which has happened to me with the Sienna.

3. Roof rack, how do they look and are they available?

4. Your overall experience, love it, hate it?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

 

[Pootie Tang]

Hi! Welcome!

1. Maybe but for sure 2 in the middle and one in the third row. Or two in the third row.

2. They just "refreshed" the design for 2010. It doesn't look drastically different. IMHO both styles look equally nice and current. I don't know when the might update again, but I would bet its a few years off.

3. Personally I like the look of the CX-9s with the factory rails/rack. I use rooftop Yakima boxes, so my car has the roof rails but not not factory crossbars. I I use Yakima crossbars with the "low rider" feet.

4. Love the car and we bought this to avoid the mini-vans (which are nice in some ways) but the Mazda is sporty to drive, looks fantastic, and easily handles our practical needs.

There are detailed threads on most of your questions in the forum. Good luck!

 

[sreddos]

The one thing to remember with the car seats in the third row is that there are no metal latch rings on the bottom of the seat like in the second row. To use a car seat in the third row, you can only use the seat belt. Honestly, not that big of a deal, but still good to know.

 

[Possible Newbie]

Thanks so much guys! keep um coming!

 

[T.Narley]

I have 3 kids in car seats. You can only fit 2 seats across the 2nd row. The seats are too wide to fit 3 across.

Having car seats in the 3rd row, where there are is no LATCH system is no big deal. Regular seat belts are far stronger, and when properly installed the seats are fine.

The LATCH system was created to make things easier, not better.

 

[zoomster]

1. We've done two side-by-side; I really don't think three in a row is possible.

2. Introduced in '07, refreshed in '10, my guess is re-design in '12-'13.

3. Don't know.

4. Love the car and all the cool options, like back-up camera that overlays lines to guide you, rain-sensing wipers, free real-time traffic in navigation, and so on. Two things to note: firmer ride and lack of rear ceiling vents.

Mazda likes to pump the "sporty" nature of its vehicles and this is backed by its design which provides firmer seats and suspension than one might desire.

Both second and third rows receive air from the two vents in the center console. Granted, these can be independently controlled for the rear passengers' comfort, it takes much much longer for these folks to get cool back there.

 

[T.Narley]

The 3rd row also gets air from vents in the floor. Look under the 2nd row seats and you'll see the ducts.

 

[sjg]

1. You might be able to get 3 across in the 2nd row if at least 2 are boosters but I'm not sure. I have Sunshine Kids Radian car seats that are the narrowest on the market I don't think you could even get 3 of those in the 2nd row. I've had car seats in the 3rd row no problem. (As others have said, the seat belts work fine and actually secure the seats better...just not as idiot proof as LATCH and you don't have anchors for the top tethers.) Only problem is access to the 3rd row when there are car seats in the 2nd row. You can slide the seats but not tilt the seatbacks. Makes for a very tight squeeze to get into the 3rd row. (This is better than the Enclave/Acadia/Traverse whose 2nd row doesn't move at all with car seats installed.)

2. There was a minor refresh for 2010. Exterior differences are a matter of opinion. Interior has some definite improvements but still very minor. While there is decent competition in this segment, the CX-9 is still very competitive and is considered by many to be the best (even among some more expensive options). That said, Mazda should want to stay ahead of the competition and must also be thinking about rising fuel efficiency requirements. But maybe changes to the powertrain will have to wait until a full overhaul of the car.

3. I have the factory/dealer installed rails, mont blanc crossbars and a Yakima skybox. No complaints.

4. When getting into this car I thought I was settling. I was coming from a Subaru Legacy GT that had amazing power from a turbo coupled with good performing and very practical AWD. The CX-9 has been a revelation. I like it more all the time. Sure it isn't as fun as my last car but I appreciate all it can do and am happier each day. Friends and relatives who drive an Acura MDX and Qudi Q7 have been impressed. Others regularly confuse the car with the Lexus RX. Knowing that I saved $20K relative to that class of vehicles makes me even happier.