My first post here. Greetings all.
In Australia the Sorento fully loaded is advertised at about the same price as the top spec CX-9, albeit the Wife and I got the impression there was more discount to be had out of the Kia dealer.
Nevertheless we still went with the Mazda. The test drive process showed it to be by far the best car in its class. It was the most comfortable, best handling, smoothest and quietest car out of the Kia Sorrento & Carnival, Hyundai Santa Fe & iMax, Nissan Pathfinder and Holden Colorado (i think that is an Isuzu GM markets here). The Europeans were out of our price league and the Toyota Kluger seemed cynically overpriced for what it was.
7 months and 14K km later we really really like it! Only caveat I suppose is that we have 2 kids and use this vehicle as a 5 seater with a big boot (trunk to North Americans). We used the 3ed row once and according to my 6 yo son, the rear seat is "Fantastic Daddy!". Only other reservation, and not that I have that much experience towing, but it doesn't strike me as the sort of car you'd want for dragging a boat or caravan around.
Someone here mentioned the lack of a V6 as a negative: I beg to differ, in real world driving the torque curve delivered by the 2.5T makes it a very rapid car, irrespective of the power numbers. By comparison, my past cars were all RWD sedans with either 6 or 8 cylinders.
I don't think I'm a fan of every Mazda. Not sure about the 6 wagon or CX-3. The CX-9, 2 and MX-5 are in their respective ways very impressive cars. Factor in price makes them amazing actually.
Cheers