Performance between different trims

[pearlcx9]

Took my CX9 GT fwd in for service, the dealer loan me a CX9 Sport fwd. The Sport seems to have a better acceleration then my GT (and more fun to drive). The engine seems smoother not like it is pulling a heavier load then the GT. Has anyone tried driving both trims to confirm this. Or, is my vehicle defective and need to have it check out. Anyone know if the vehicle is equipped with transmission logic that stores your driving patterns?

thanks.

[CX9 SportOwner]

The Sport is faster. I know.
The trans learns how you drive and adapts on the fly.

[NCZ13]

The Sport is faster. I know.
The trans learns how you drive and adapts on the fly.

ok, but how does this affect the power output of the car?

sport and GT are just trims.

just how the sport MS3 isnt any faster than the GT MS3

[todd92]

Engines, transmissions and transmission logic are identical across all trim levels. FWD faster than AWD. 18" wheels faster than 20" wheels. No other differences to account for performance.

[ceric]

The tranny learns how you drive continuously.

The loaner is more subjective to abuse by various drivers. I am sure it would probably be more responsive since that is how people drive "other's vehicle". You are less likely to baby a loaner vehicle than your own.

[AZ-CX9]

Might be the towing package. I have it, and I know the low end torque is higher. It makes a fairly noticeable differences when taking off.

[l-miwa]

Any chance yours is a 2007 and the loaner was a 2008 or 2009? There is a significant horsepower difference between the 2007's and subsequent years. It's pretty noticeable. Mine of course is a 2007...

[shane02pro5]

Maybe an ecu reflash for an update.

[todd92]

Might be the towing package. I have it, and I know the low end torque is higher. It makes a fairly noticeable differences when taking off.

No it isn't.

[AZ-CX9]

No it isn't.

It absolutely is...

Mazda:

Towing Package:
3,500-lb capacity
Heavy-duty transmission cooler and radiator fan
Revised Engine Control Module

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=CX9

Two dealers I dealt with prior to purchase indicated the the ECM program alters ignition and valve timing to provide better launches with heavy loads. I personally drove two identically equiped CX-9s one with tow and one without and the off-the-line feel was noticeably different. Maybe it's just me..

Further, though I can no longer find the link, Motor Trend or perhaps Car and Driver had a test drive where they reported their test vehicle was a little jumpy off the line due to the towing package programming and that starting off in 2nd or learning to feather the throttle helped reduce this effect.

[chiurw]

Engine output is the same across the board. However, I am sure that the GT AWD is at least 500 lbs. heavier than a Sport FWD when you account for AWD system, unsprung weight of the 20" rims, and some of the extra bells/whistles not found in the Sport.

[TRXSandRacer02]

you have got to be kidding me! ALL CX9s have the same power output and depending on PCM calibration, are the same in torque and horse power. There is NO different power options and all a towing package means is it has a hitch and more than likely awd. If your cx9 has the most up to date pcm calibrations with the 3.7 engine, it is no different from any other except fwd or awd, i work on these vehicles every day, and am mazda master certified, and own a speed 6, i know these cars as good as the engineers and that is just silly to think because it has a hitch it somehow has another 50 horse or something. by the way, did you know by using halogen fluid in the headlights it gains an extra 30 horse too so maybe you shodl ask your dealer about that ha ha ha ha

[TRXSandRacer02]

the only difference in power is if you have a 3.5 or 3.7 engine, 3.5 for 2007 models and 3.7 for 2008-2010 models

[DSherwood]

Mr TRXSandracer, does the aisin transmission / ecm on the CX9 have fuzzy logic to learn how you drive? I am in your camp when it comes to what the 9 comes with power wise. I also question the unsprung wt differences between the wheel tire combinations, if the overall diameter was different, there would be a case, anyone know the difference in wt is?

[DSherwood]

FYI, the 18 inch factory tires weigh 32 pounds while the 20 inchers weigh 34 pounds, add that to the extra weight of the 2 inch larger wheel, you might have a case in a racing situation and a car that weighs 1/2 its weight, but not here. awd in 18 or 20 inch wheels are probably the same in performance, chock it up to cognitive dissonance.

[ceric]

I think you got it wrong a little.
The 18" tire is 35lb while the 20" is 34lb (shorter side wall makes it lighter). (data from TireRack.com)
The 20" wheel, of course, is heavier than the 18" one.
In combination, usually, the 18" combo should be lighter. Big wheel (same overall diamater) enhances sideway handling, not braking or accelerating (according to a test by MotorTrend a while back).

[nguvanh]

As you say this car will learn driving pattern an adjust its computer, so is there any way to reset it to factory default?

[MacMaster]

that aisin transmission sux... stupid toyota and cadillac use em too and they just suck... they say they learn driving pattern and stuff but its crap... The biggest reason I hate my mazda is its transmission and engine... but yeah aisin transmissions suck... I like ZF transmission they sure learn how you drive and shift properly.. and about the performance difference between trims; you guys are all right, I have driven 5 different mazda cx-9s and they all acted different... the thing is FWD takes off lil bit faster

[CX9 SportOwner]

the CX9 Aisin transmission is great. Smooth, adaptive, smart.

You say the Aisin doesn't adapt, then say you drove 5 CX9s and they were all different. They are different BECAUSE they adapted to the last driver.

The Aisin adapts VERY well and shifts nicely.

[Mazda3]

The Aisin transmission in the CX-9 is an excellent tranny. There isn't a better auto out there is the sub-premium brands. The 2010 tranny will be even better, they will get the improvements that the new 6 & 3 have.

[tx9]

Not much to improve upon in my opinion, the shifts are smooth and responsive. I haven't driven the new 6, though. I'm curious to see how the same engine 3.7 performs in a car...must be reallllllllly quick. A better tranny would just be icing on the cake.

[ceric]

tI like ZF transmission they sure learn how you drive and shift properly..

I had BMW 540iA (1998) with ZF Transmission. Not a bad tranny, but I really had to floor it (no kidding - pedal to the metal) to get it to down shift.
Besides, ZF tranny is known to be problematic. Check BMW tranny reliability. A lot of tranny failure around 50-75K miles. The cost of repair is easily $4000-5000. BMW warranty for tranny is only 50K miles. You guess it. BMW is not stupid either.

Aisin tranny is widely praised for being smooth (I would say as good as ZF).
It responds a bit on the slow side (time it takes to change gear). However, CX9 is not a sports car. You should not expect it to be so.
Reliabily-wise, I am not sure yet. We will see.

Overall, I am not a big fan of "learning tranny". However, when you really need to push it, auto-manual should be the way to go. CX9 has it for a reason.

[CX9 SportOwner]

Overall, I am not a big fan of "learning tranny". However, when you really need to push it, auto-manual should be the way to go. CX9 has it for a reason.

I'm a huge fan of the adaptive transmission. You can maximize mileage if you want, or maximize fun, rather than have to settle for somewhere in between.

[ceric]

Why not just have a ECO mode (push a button) like all the new Hybrids have.
It dumbs down the response of gas pedals and lower rpm of transmission gear changes.
MPG can be improved greatly and reported so by those owners.

[Hellacool]

I know the Mazdaspeed 6 sport (I owned one) was faster than the Mazdaspeed 6 GT because the leather, electric seats in the GT added over 200 LBS to the car. This has been tested by several Mazdaspeed 6 owners. Could be a weight difference in seats or other added items.

[clandestine]

Why not just have a ECO mode (push a button) like all the new Hybrids have.
It dumbs down the response of gas pedals and lower rpm of transmission gear changes.
MPG can be improved greatly and reported so by those owners.

I like that idea.

I guess I change driving styles quite a bit, b/c I find it often times responds differently. general, everyday driving I try to take it easy to conserve mileage and just enjoy cruisin, but when in traffic and/or in a hurry I want the responsiveness and sometimes find it's not there. so I find myself stomping on it and driving aggressively (and burning gas) when I don't necessary need to, just to keep it trained.

[CX9 SportOwner]

We have that on the CX9 already. Flip the shift knob to the left. Best of both worlds.

[ceric]

ECO mode is already present on Honda Insight and new Prius (2010).
Honda claim that 10% MPG can be improved w/ worse performance, of course.
ECO applies to city and highway driving.
The pressure our foot put on the gas pedal is not exactly constant even if you try. I can see that in CX9's diagnostic mode (the fuel injection count) on NAVI screen. It fructuates. ECO mode can smooth out the "human vibration" (so to speak) - and save fuel.