CX-9 "a real head banger"

[marclip1]

Just picked up my 07 GT. I am 5'7" and didn't realize I would have to duck down and squeeze in under the sloping front door. I drove this several times before I purchased and cannot believe I didn't notice. Adjusting the seats does not help. Other than a helmut, any suggestions?

Also, gas pedal and brake pedal have unsual spacing between them. Does anybody think that, too?

[Dalton]

I would have to duck down and squeeze in under the sloping front door. Adjusting the seats does not help. Other than a helmut, any suggestions?


I cant really understand whats the problem - care to elaborate (uhm)

[tviera]

Just picked up my 07 GT. I am 5'7" and didn't realize I would have to duck down and squeeze in under the sloping front door. I drove this several times before I purchased and cannot believe I didn't notice. Adjusting the seats does not help. Other than a helmut, any suggestions?

Also, gas pedal and brake pedal have unsual spacing between them. Does anybody think that, too?

I'm 5'8" and have no problems on the drivers side. i do however sometimes hit my head on the passenger side A piller. Usually because I''m drunk and my wife is driving. My suggestion is to stay sober.

[marclip1]

tviera

My guess? You both drink too much.

[CX9 SportOwner]

Im 6'0 and NEVER had a problem, even getting into the third row.

[Roywhitep5]

just scooch down a little

[dave245]

Gotta watch that tailgate as well. If you park on a slope - rear end uphill, it's real easy to bash your skull on the corners of the tailgate. If you're lucky, you hit the rubber bump stops and knock them off the tailgate. After a bit of searching, they do pop back in their holes fairly easily. Situational awareness is the key!

Dave

[todd92]

It's weird, I'm 6' 3" and have no problem, yet my 5' 9" wife has to contort strangely to get in without hitting her head. We watched each other repeatedly, and she can't understand why I don't have any problem and I can't understand why she does???

[Foolish]

It's weird, I'm 6' 3" and have no problem, yet my 5' 9" wife has to contort strangely to get in without hitting her head. We watched each other repeatedly, and she can't understand why I don't have any problem and I can't understand why she does???

I'm guessing that your seat is much further back than hers, so you're getting in at the tallest part of the door, while she's ducking in under the slope.

Do I win?

[jwcochrane]

Ok is it me or are we driving a BIG car, if you are having problems getting into a CX9 then don’t ever buy anything smaller than a full size SUV 

I never noticed but my wife did, I drive a little 2 seater so I duck and dive every time I get into my car, so I guess I instinctively check my head clearance no matter which vehicle I get into.

It’s the price we pay for the slopping windscreen and elegant looks. (2thumbs)

[dropseys]

I am also 6'0 and have never had a problem getting into any seat. I just lack headroom in the 3rd row.

[ockevin]

I am 6'4" and have no problem getting in

[c_rex]

My take on this is that you taller people are used to bending in some way so you don't notice much difference. Just picked up my 08 and notice the same low clearance issue getting in. I've never had to duck to get into any of my previous cars. I'll get used to it I'm sure.

[btm2518]

I'm 6'7" and I'm use to ducking and watching my headroom. I always get a kick out of people who tell me to watch my head and then watch them turn around bang into something they told to to watch for.

[c_rex]

5'9" and happily banged my head 2x today going to the hardware store. hee hee

[l-miwa]

With the power driver's seat lowered all the way, I never hit my head, but when I'm in the passenger seat, I often hit it. That extra inch or so makes the difference!

[obaidnsk]

Just picked up my 07 GT. I am 5'7" and didn't realize I would have to duck down and squeeze in under the sloping front door. I drove this several times before I purchased and cannot believe I didn't notice. Adjusting the seats does not help. Other than a helmut, any suggestions?

Also, gas pedal and brake pedal have unsual spacing between them. Does anybody think that, too?
Hi, I am 5'11" you have to adjust the seat little lower.....

[caspeed]

I too occasionally hit my head climbing into the CX9 passenger seat and don't understand why. I don't hit my head in either back seat. Go figure.

Wife doesn't have a problem.

Mike

[pinski]

Neither myself nor my wife has had any trouble bonking our heads getting in or out. I'm just shy of 6' tall and she's 5'10".

[ericw2000]

Both my wife and I hit our heads when we test drove it, but that just taught us to duck. I drove an Expedition and she drives an Odyssey, so we're used to having more headroom, but we adjusted quickly.

About 4 years ago I wanted a VW Touareg. My wife really didn't like them at that time and didn't want me to get a smaller vehicle. We climbed into one on the showroom floor and both wacked our heads pretty hard. She walked out of the showroom and that was the end of the Touareg.

[T.Narley]

This is odd. I'm 6'4 and have no problems. Plenty of head room when getting in.

[silverbullet93]

6'4" here, no touble getting in...

[djjr50]

6'9" and I guess I am just used to compensating for my size.

Funny...I'm Six Nine and my vehicle is CX-9...!

[Mx5+Cx9]

easy... short people have seats moved up closer to the steering wheel hence the sloping A pillar, whereas tall people have the seats moved back where it's not sloping. Hence head banging for shorter people. Having said that, I'm 5'6" and have not had 1 single head bang on the A pillar neither has my wife who is even shorter. I guess we just don't drive w/ the steering wheel on our face : )

[tstex]

Drivers seat no, tailgate often, and it does hurt...6'4"

On the passenger side, wife no, but a couple of my....(mj) just kidding. :p

[ryanCX-9]

I'm 6'1". Only problem I have is on the back hatch corners like a few others have reported.

[NWCX9]

I'm 5'10 and have yet to hit my head. I didn't even notice the problem till my engineering coworker hit his head getting into the passenger going out to lunch. I think it has to do with the drivers seat ability to lower?? Its either that or just being "aware" to duck your head.

[Lindyrect]

I believe it is a combo of two factors. One, like stated above the passenger seat is not adjustable up and down, and two, most people are used to getting out of vehicles by leaning forward. The only problem with this is that the window slopes downward at a fast angle and you will catch your head on it.

[MBDon]

When we first got our CX9, I had the same problem. I lowered the seat position a little.....and no more problem!

[fellowkillla]

(omg)(attention)did anyone read post #23?

[Davicho]

(omg)(attention)did anyone read post #23?

Yes...that's a HUGE dude!

[Wisconsin Proud]

I suppose your wife is CX' 7" (boobs2)

[memasterac]

I'm 6'1". Only problem I have is on the back hatch corners like a few others have reported.

I am 6'1" too and every other time I hit the rear hatch gate corners like you. I understand that this hatch gate is a larger piece but wish it can be programmed to adjust the "height"


Also, gas pedal and brake pedal have unsual spacing between them. Does anybody think that, too?

No kidding, this is one of my biggest complaint about the CX-9. The brake padel engagement is really bad almost like a two-step brake. The first two inches of brake is to turn it on and there is a click then you can actually brake...(hand)

[Davicho]

I am 6'1" too and every other time I hit the rear hatch gate corners like you. I understand that this hatch gate is a larger piece but wish it can be programmed to adjust the "height"



No kidding, this is one of my biggest complaint about the CX-9. The brake padel engagement is really bad almost like a two-step brake. The first two inches of brake is to turn it on and there is a click then you can actually brake...(hand)

6' 00" here...or at least the two step mode that my old Mazda5 had, where the hatch would stop a the predetermined location and if you needed it a little bit higher, you can push it up another 2 to 3"


I think he meant the spacing between the gas pedal and the brake pedal. Which btw, if you think the CX-9 is bad in this sector...try driving a Mazda5 to see what the spacing is between these two pedals!

[fxpthl]

Our 09 cx9 is fantastic! Our problem is with the passenger side seat height! Everyone who gets in on that side hits their head! Seat doesn't have any more travel downward so I guess the wise old Mazda engineers were desgining for their own, shorter population rather than for a world-wide marketplace of slightly taller folks. Anyway, we now announce to anyone getting into that seat to "watch your head" just like when the cops tell their prisoners to do when they are put into the back seat of a patrol car.

[vikefan7]

Anyway, we now announce to anyone getting into that seat to "watch your head" just like when the cops tell their prisoners to do when they are put into the back seat of a patrol car.

Lol.

[Lexani 22 CX9]

When you get in try approaching farther back in the door so that your head is not directly above the pillar. Also try putting one leg in fist and then slide the rest of your body in slightly bent backwards.

Then start the ignition and drive hard. (drive2)

[danz75]

The passenger side is definitely a head banger. We're average height about 5' 10" and 6' but still hit our heads when we're not mindful of it. sometimes, i feel like painting the rubber seal bright orange or putting some caution tape so that it stands out.

[ohmboy]

I've gotten somewhat accustomed to the problem of hitting the roof. It's the fact that the upper corner of the door it's self strikes me at exactly nose level that worrys me the most. I have yet to have it pop me, but as clumsy as I am, it will happen.

[knowaczark]

Our 09 cx9 is fantastic! Our problem is with the passenger side seat height! Everyone who gets in on that side hits their head! Seat doesn't have any more travel downward so I guess the wise old Mazda engineers were desgining for their own, shorter population rather than for a world-wide marketplace of slightly taller folks. Anyway, we now announce to anyone getting into that seat to "watch your head" just like when the cops tell their prisoners to do when they are put into the back seat of a patrol car.

Agree 100%. Mine feels like the passenger front seat is tilted forward and gives the feeling you're going to side to the floor with any stiff braking. The wife has taken to riding in the rear seat on any longer trips.

Anyone have any tips on raising the seat front? Are the seat mounting bolts accessible such that they can be loosened and a spacer(s) could be slid in?
Assuming this would tilt the seat back some. Enough????