My dad has been in the market for a 3 row crossover and this seems to really fit the bill. One of the main features he's looking for is forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring and lane keeping/warning.
In the Highlander, you have to get the top of the line Limited trim in order to get those features, but it puts the MSRP at 45k. Over our budget. In the Honda Pilot, you can get all these systems for 37-38k, which is much more reasonable, but the blind spot monitoring system is that side rear facing camera which wasn't nice to use. We also don't like that it's only for one side and is not a "go/no go" type of system, like the system used on other Mazda cars or the Highlander.
If this new CX9 packages these features like they do for their other cars, it would mean that these active safety systems can be had on the middle trim level and at a reasonable price. Definitely looking forward to seeing the details of the CX9.
If we go by the safety features made available on the recently released CX-3, I would guess that the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) will likely be available on the Touring but other advanced safety features included in the i-ACTIVSENSE package would only be made available on the highest trim level, the Grand Touring (GT). In addition, I expect the CX-9 to get the i-ACTIV AWD System. The only unknown is the integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay since the Mazda UConnect system currently does not have either one.
Will it require premium gas....?
With those tq/hp numbers and 200 lbs less weight, it should do 0-60 a few tenths quicker. I'd predict 7.1 sec compared to the 7.5 sec of the outgoing CX-9. That's not bad.
If they give us the option for 2-2-2 seating, then I'm in! But if it's 2-3-2 then I'm out, and will be buying an Explorer this weekend. Gotta have captains chairs.
I'm the other way around--middle captain's chairs are a deal breaker for me; it rules out car pooling.
I just can't understand why Mazda doesn't just make some captain's chairs for its dealers to install for those of us willing to pay for them. Surely each Mazda dealer could inventory a couple pairs. And since the interiors are always black, we're talking about 2 part numbers, Left and Right.If there's one serious advantage to domestic brands, it's their more flexible options. In the Durango I can choose either rear bench or captains chairs on any trim level.
Agreed 100%. Mandatory captains chairs in the 2nd row of the Pilot and Highlander top trim levels effectively knocked both off my shopping list. A dumb decision by both Honda and Toyota to not make that optional. With 3 kids I don't want a kid in the 3rd row by necessity, killing half my cargo space.