"After one year and 22,000 miles, our long-term test of the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is complete. It performed well, but there were some surprises."
https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx-9/2016/long-term-road-test/wrap-up.html
I'll take the first snippet on this:
Pretty much what I expected given the performance of my 2018. The CX-9 gives you the fuel economy you want, based on how you desire to drive it. While at the very same time, it also gives you the freedom to have an option for driving it like you stole three minute ago and not many (if any) other SUVs in its price range and which are also seven seat vehicles can say the same. Pretty spot on results for the current CX-9 design.
Another snippet:
Good to see this being confirmed as well. Whereas other SUV in this price range and seating configuration grow even more lethargic when adding passengers, the CX-9 manages to maintain a higher amount of its already "sporty" feel with higher capacity loads. Though nothing to take out to the track loading down with seven passengers - it does not suffer the same degree of degradation in handling and performance (apparently) that others in the same category suffer.
Another snippet:
I've had failures to pair a device, but those only came when operating the vehicle on the road between stop lights, where Mazda's safety concerns outweigh your need to listen to audio files or call your cell phone contacts. From a stationary and parked position, I've never had a failure to pair - either in my 2017 or 2018 Signature. She basically complains about pairing times being too slow. I've purchased other devices that took the same amount of time to pair to televisions, etc. Maybe she's had some luck with a combination of personal electronics at home that pair much faster for her. I don't really see a problem here.
Another snippet:
In what Seven (7) Passenger Mid-Size SUV would it not be the case where you would need roof rails in order to haul cargo for seven passengers! A throw-away line if I've ever read one.
Another snippet:
I have to completely disagree with the closeness or proximity of other Mid-Size Seven Passenger SUVs for under $45k, somehow putting up such a fight that they really rival the CX-9 - especially the Signature. What other SUV in the same category redefines Handling & Performance like the CX-9? The only other would be the Acura MDX, but that's significantly $10k more. Ok, if you want to expand the term "Price Range" to include a $10,000 ramp - then I'd have to admit that the MDX does handle well - if you enjoy intrusive Torque Vectoring on all four corners, because that's what you are going to get. Outside of the MDX (for $10,000 more), is there another SUV in this category that Handles and Performs on the road with the same kind of dual nature - both Sporty when needed and quasi-luxurious when you don't? I've driven them all and I did not find one that was as flexible in its Handling and Performance like the CX-9.
So, I don't buy this Tightly Competitive Market place in this particular niche of SUV category. The CX-9 is just better because it offers both a quasi-luxury experience (it is not a Bentley Bentayga) and a Sports SUV experience both at the same time. Again, for under $45K. That's impressive no matter how you slice it and I think the Edmunds reviewer clearly missed this very salient and very important point. You get BOTH with the CX-9. You are not forced to compromise on either relative Comfort or relative Sporty Performance. You simply get a good dose of both.
Another snippet:
Not sure what the issue is here. It is Brushed Aluminum Trim and includes real Wood trim as well. These are not plastic pieces excluding center console bezels, air vent bezels, window control panel bezels (not to mention the disastrous Piano Black inserts - those really do need to go, Mazda!). Granted, the CX-9 is not Range Rover - but even the Range Rover has plastic trim pieces inside and throughout the exterior. As far as blue jean dye coming off on Light Oak Colored interior leather seats - that's going to happen regardless of the vehicle. That same kind of wear pattern is taking place right now in someone's multi-million dollar Bugatti Veyron and Bugatti Chiron. Doing a better job of cleaning the seat bolsters would help in this regard - I clean mine as part of the overall detailing of the vehicle (wash, dry, light polish and vacuum).
Overall, I think the report was fair and honest. It pretty much sums up my combined 11,000 mile experience with the 2017 and 2018 CX-9 Signature. I don't see anything in this report that grossly inaccurate aside from failing to make sure the reader understood the difference in the CX-9 providing both Handling/Performance and a good comfortable drive at the same time - whereas other SUV in its category seem to not do as good a job in both those areas.
I'd rate this Edmunds Review at 4 out of 5 starts, personally. I think they did a fairly good job of describing what your experience would be in the newly designed CX-9.