As a new CX-9 owner (Sig), I thought I would share my experience.
I wanted an SUV because I outgrew the family sedan. Older kids, roadtrips, and needing to transport larger items pushed me up the size bracket.
Within my budget, luxury brands (Lexus, Acura, BMW, Benz, Audi) were a non-starter (even though I drove some of them), so I was in the Toyota/Honda/Kia/Hyundai/Mazda/Ford/Chevy. I drove them all, which I encourage people do the same. I also spoke with a lot of people and their experience. Obviously, there's personal preference to all of this. Most told me to buy a Pilot or a Highlander. Others said avoid Kias/Hyundai/Ford/Chevy. People who had Mazdas really liked them, I also tend to keep cars for longer time/lots of miles, so resale isn't a large motivator.
Anyway, once I drove the CX-9, I knew it was the one. It drives better than any of the others (which are more truckish). The engine is plenty powerful enough; it's actually zippier in mid-range driving than the others. I don't care much about 0-60; I care about 20-50 and 40-70 performance. And the look; again, personal preference, but this is one sharp looking vehicle. People still stare at it when I am driving.
Some observations about things that were better than expected:
- Headlights are very bright and effective
- General driving dynamics and performance are even better; "nimble" is the word that comes to mind.
- The controls are very well laid out; once you use them you realize how efficient they are
- The heads-up display is amazing to have and very useful
- Radar cruise control is more useful than I anticipated; You have to trust it, but it's eerily good at it's job.
- Infotainment system is pretty good; I think the Android Auto/Carplay issue is overblown.
- Ambient light inside looks good and is functional
- The value to price ratio is very good in my opinion (people are shocked when they get in and go for a spin)
- Door water bottle holder deep and holds bottle well (compared to other vehicles)
Some odd quirks/minor gripes:
- The gas tank lid is made of a different/thinner metal than the body. It's like it's made of an aluminum can as opposed to sheet metal. Weird. Not sure why they did that. Every car I've had, that cover is the same material as the body. not sure why this bothers me, but it does (I think because I'm afraid it will break easily.)
- Pants leg catches on the tracks for the seats, especially when driver front seat all the way back and existing the car. Again, odd design. They also allow the front seat to be move waaaay far forward, to a position no person could drive in. Again, odd design, maybe necessitating the longer tracks.
- No coin tray - I got used to having one on driver's left side and miss it.
- Remote control - buttons are sensitive/get accidentally pressed when in pocket. (ex: reach across back seat, pocket pushes against seat, and remote is triggered and opens liftgate.
Overall, very happy. I'm sure I will find more things as the new car smell fade, but until then, zoom zoom.
I wanted an SUV because I outgrew the family sedan. Older kids, roadtrips, and needing to transport larger items pushed me up the size bracket.
Within my budget, luxury brands (Lexus, Acura, BMW, Benz, Audi) were a non-starter (even though I drove some of them), so I was in the Toyota/Honda/Kia/Hyundai/Mazda/Ford/Chevy. I drove them all, which I encourage people do the same. I also spoke with a lot of people and their experience. Obviously, there's personal preference to all of this. Most told me to buy a Pilot or a Highlander. Others said avoid Kias/Hyundai/Ford/Chevy. People who had Mazdas really liked them, I also tend to keep cars for longer time/lots of miles, so resale isn't a large motivator.
Anyway, once I drove the CX-9, I knew it was the one. It drives better than any of the others (which are more truckish). The engine is plenty powerful enough; it's actually zippier in mid-range driving than the others. I don't care much about 0-60; I care about 20-50 and 40-70 performance. And the look; again, personal preference, but this is one sharp looking vehicle. People still stare at it when I am driving.
Some observations about things that were better than expected:
- Headlights are very bright and effective
- General driving dynamics and performance are even better; "nimble" is the word that comes to mind.
- The controls are very well laid out; once you use them you realize how efficient they are
- The heads-up display is amazing to have and very useful
- Radar cruise control is more useful than I anticipated; You have to trust it, but it's eerily good at it's job.
- Infotainment system is pretty good; I think the Android Auto/Carplay issue is overblown.
- Ambient light inside looks good and is functional
- The value to price ratio is very good in my opinion (people are shocked when they get in and go for a spin)
- Door water bottle holder deep and holds bottle well (compared to other vehicles)
Some odd quirks/minor gripes:
- The gas tank lid is made of a different/thinner metal than the body. It's like it's made of an aluminum can as opposed to sheet metal. Weird. Not sure why they did that. Every car I've had, that cover is the same material as the body. not sure why this bothers me, but it does (I think because I'm afraid it will break easily.)
- Pants leg catches on the tracks for the seats, especially when driver front seat all the way back and existing the car. Again, odd design. They also allow the front seat to be move waaaay far forward, to a position no person could drive in. Again, odd design, maybe necessitating the longer tracks.
- No coin tray - I got used to having one on driver's left side and miss it.
- Remote control - buttons are sensitive/get accidentally pressed when in pocket. (ex: reach across back seat, pocket pushes against seat, and remote is triggered and opens liftgate.
Overall, very happy. I'm sure I will find more things as the new car smell fade, but until then, zoom zoom.
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