Test drove a CX-9 Signature "dreadful A/C" is correct

[CrazyBiker]

That's a joke of a ratings system. These types of rankings assign the same value to each category - categories in this case limited to just a handful. I hope people don't make purchase decisions based on these.

Also notice the 2.5 out of 4 ranking for CX-9 reliability. From a "reliability" standpoint, the worst I've seen with the CX-9 is a buggy infotainment system. Where is the 2.5 from? The Pilot has a garbage 9-speed transmission and gets a 3.5. Same with Durango. Lots of issues and it gets a 3.


Here's a couple of proper comparisons where all things are considered.

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/mazda/cx-9/2016/2017-gmc-acadia-2016-mazda-cx-9-2017-toyota-highlander-comparison/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFV6Ws6Ut20&t=59s




Couldn't you say that every other vehicles in the segment "cheaped out" by not offering Nappa leather (in most cases), real wood, real aluminum, heads up display, premium exterior and interior styling, 20" wheels, and by far the best driving dynamics? Why can't different people value different things. Some people focus on gadget count, others value the more passionate and emotional qualities of a vehicle.

April 2017 sales: Abysmal?

Mazda6 - 2,249
CX-9 - 2,134 (best April since 2011) continues to grow

Mazda6 sales are in much worse shape since mid-size sedans always far outsell the mid-size ute in a line-up. 50% more is typical. It's a damn shame since many consider the 6 the best car in class.

Crossovers are the new craze and are far outselling the midsize sedans. People think crossover is the next upgrade from their compact cars aka Mazda3 when thinking of going for a larger vehicle. That is also why crossovers are outselling midsize sedans for a few years now. I seriously wish they fix the CX9 shortcomings (features, space utilization). It is not so hard to do. Just utilize the empty spaces the designers have left behind blindly and make the storage bins deeper, get rid of the hump in the center (my Sorento has no hump and usable middle seat in 2nd row). Imagine if it was also not so super long how much better the handling would have been when it already handles so well!

 

[JPL]

Crossovers are the new craze and are far outselling the midsize sedans. People think crossover is the next upgrade from their compact cars aka Mazda3 when thinking of going for a larger vehicle. That is also why crossovers are outselling midsize sedans for a few years now. I seriously wish they fix the CX9 shortcomings (features, space utilization). It is not so hard to do. Just utilize the empty spaces the designers have left behind blindly and make the storage bins deeper, get rid of the hump in the center (my Sorento has no hump and usable middle seat in 2nd row). Imagine if it was also not so super long how much better the handling would have been when it already handles so well!

In no case, does the mid-size crossover even come close to the mid-size sedan in any lineup.

2016 total US sales:

Camry - 388,816
Highlander - 191,379

Accord - 345,225
Pilot - 120,772

Altima - 307,380
Pathfinder - 81,701

Malibu - 227,881
Traverse - 116,701

Fusion - 265,840
Explorer - 216,294

Sonata - 199,408
Santa Fe - 131,65

Optima - 124,203
Sorento - 114,733

Charger - 97,110
Durango - 68,691

Mazda 6 - 45,520
CX-9 - 16,051

 

[CrazyBiker]

Interesting. I thought I saw a stat where they were neck in neck.


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[JPL]

Interesting. I thought I saw a stat where they were neck in neck.


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What is now true, which is perhaps what you heard, is that ALL trucks and SUV's/crossovers combined now outsell all passenger cars (sedans, wagons, coupes, etc.) combined.

 

[Horton]

The trends is I think the points; see article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/class...ver-sedans-autocover-0302-20170302-story.html

 

[ZzRicezZ]

Outside is like 8 degree, you would expect having the fan on with no AC set to 15 degree would have cool air coming in but it seems to me that the air is warmer than I would like, the engine heat is causing this? Had to roll down the windows to get some cool fresh air.

In my old Honda prelude I didn't experience this symptom.

 

[JPL]

Outside is like 8 degree, you would expect having the fan on with no AC set to 15 degree would have cool air coming in but it seems to me that the air is warmer than I would like, the engine heat is causing this? Had to roll down the windows to get some cool fresh air.

In my old Honda prelude I didn't experience this symptom.

8 and you're looking for cool air?

 

[ZzRicezZ]

8 and you're looking for cool air?

Fresh air into the car. I rather not open the window.

 

[JPL]

Fresh air into the car. I rather not open the window.

I would just assume you'd be running the heat in artic temperatures. Unless you're in a Celius country?

 

[ZzRicezZ]

I would just assume you'd be running the heat in artic temperatures. Unless you're in a Celius country?

in Canada so it Celius.

 

[Silly Wabbit]

I want to chime in on the A/C situation. I purchased the Signature prior to researching through forums for common issues. When I drove the car home, I felt the A/C was a bit weak and I thought it was just me. My previous car was blowing ice cold at the lowest fan speed (auto climate at 74*). However when I set CX-9 auto climate to 74*, it was blowing WARM air. I had to set the climate to the 60s and HIGH fan speed in order to feel a bit of cold air.
But I am happy to report that after driving the car a bit more and using the A/C more often, it is actually getting significantly better. I currently have 1500 miles.

 

[PTguy]

Has anyone tested their CX-9 to see if the hot air dampers are closing all the way when they have the AC on? With the complaints not uniform, there must be problems in individual cars.

Try this--have a thermometer that can get the bulb or probe into the dash air vent or so close that it accurately reads the outflowing air temperature. Run the engine up to operating temperature, park in the shade with the engine idling. Get the outside air temperature. Turn the AC off, run the temperature setting down to 60F (as low as it goes). Set the fan speed on 2 or 3 marks. Measure the outflowing air from the vents. It should be the same as the outside air temperature. It may take a couple of minutes to stabilize if you just turned off the AC. If the air is warmer than the outside, it seems like a hot air damper is not closing tightly. That would be a warranty repair.

Another test is to do the same as above with the AC on and the temp set as low as it goes. If the air flowing out of the vents is about 20F lower than the outside, then the AC is probably doing as good as it can.

 

[phxzoom]

Bought 2016 Signature back in November. We're at about 5,400 miles on it. We're already in triple digit territory in lovely Phoenix... and I'm glad to say that our AC is working fine. I also use the Covercraft sunshade during the day, I'm sure that helps keeping some heat out when parked outside. Of course it's hot when we get in the car, but it cools down as expected in a matter of minutes. And I have to tell you that I'm one if those people that's always "hot". I've had no complaints to date with our AC.

 

[34403]

AC, Just wanted to chime in on AC not cold enough, I don't personally own a CX-9 but the principals of AC operation is the same for all cars.

What I have found is that many owners and user (particularly USA) run around on 100 degree days with fresh air vents open and or windows open and expect their AC to be cold or cooling down cabin after 8 hours in hot sun.

1. Shut out ALL hot air entry, make sure IF you can that Air is on 're-circulation' and not on 'fresh', and fresh air vents are closed.
Reason is you are asking AC Compressor to cool down the large cabin while at same time also cooling down the hot 100 degree air from outside.
Yes, I know many Auto AC systems don't give you recirc or fresh switching options, but there is a way around making sure your AC is efficient.

 

[34403]

There are also a lot of AC issues with Mazda 2, CX-3, Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 with either their Evaporators and or Condensers or both leaking due to insufficient soldering or welding in the joints by production line robots (made similar to a cars Radiator, leaking coolant).
Mazda are replacing the defective parts, the symptoms are usually no cool air at all as all the gas has leaked out of Condenser or Evap...
A TSB exists for these models, I have not seen one for CX-9 ....yet.

 

[tamattack]

Coming from an Acura MDX, I will say that the a/c is comparable. But both are weak compared to the a/c on American engineered cars.

The old CX-9 was really an American design with Mazda sheet metal and tuning, so it makes sense that it had stronger a/c than the 2016+ CX-9s.

That being said, the a/c was sufficient in the MDX for the 7 years that I owned it, so I'm expecting the CX-9 a/c will also be sufficient.

One thing I've noticed is that the temp around the interior thermostat gets cooler faster than what I feel around my upper body.

Putting my finger over the thermostat vents for a few seconds causes the a/c to crank up a notch. Anyone else try or notice this?


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[Horton]

Coming from an Acura MDX, I will say that the a/c is comparable. But both are weak compared to the a/c on American engineered cars.

The old CX-9 was really an American design with Mazda sheet metal and tuning, so it makes sense that it had stronger a/c than the 2016+ CX-9s.

That being said, the a/c was sufficient in the MDX for the 7 years that I owned it, so I'm expecting the CX-9 a/c will also be sufficient.

One thing I've noticed is that the temp around the interior thermostat gets cooler faster than what I feel around my upper body.

Putting my finger over the thermostat vents for a few seconds causes the a/c to crank up a notch. Anyone else try or notice this?


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Where is the thermostat vent located?

 

[tamattack]

The thermostat vent is to the right of the steering wheel, a bit below the console centre line of the dash. If you look, you'll see the vent cutouts; they are about an inch square or less.


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[Ali 556]

The strange thing is that the rear vents are significantly cooler than the front ones.

When ever i switch the rear ac to cool the car faster, that with double tint and a front window cover and barley get it to cool.

Really crappy design on the AC part.

 

[Horton]

Thanks...will test.