The CX9 isn't a perfect vehicle and it definitely has its shortcomings as you've pointed out in your previous postings which made you go for another brand which is fine but from an objectivity stand point so does your beloved Sorrento with these shortcomings as examples:
Styling both inside and out are bland (subjective but am sure most owners here will agree to the point of saying it looks like a minivan disguised as as SUV), no front parking sensors, no Key linked memory seat, no rain sensing wipers, no auto high beam, no access lever to 3rd row on driver side, no LED headlights, some of the safety warnings (beeps) are very annoying, limited 3rd row cargo space, mediocre fuel economy, mediocre handling, interior materials not as luxurious, etc. I am not trying to knock on your purchase as we all have different priorities nor am I looking for you to defend Sorrento's shortcomings as it is not a perfect vehicle as well.
Just wanted to point those out as CX9 owners only see its shortcomings when they're pointed out by both owners and non-owners as this is a Mazda forum. I bet if we all looked at the Kia forums that we'll also see a lot of gripes about their vehicles.
There is a CX-8.
Yes, that's the not-ever-coming-to-the-US CX-8 (it's a Japanese domestic model only). It appears that it is built on the same chassis as the CX-9 (same wheelbase) but all the other dimensions were scaled down (7 inches shorter, 5 inches narrower). It's 9 inches longer but narrower than the old CX-7 we used to get here.
Looks pretty sharp, just like the CX-9.
While it looks good and overall pretty similar, I much prefer the proportions and design details of the CX-9. Funny some of us Americans are sitting here complaining about the CX-9 not being big enough yet it's too big to even be sold in Asia and Europe.
Again you miss the point. It’s too big from outside for Europe. CRV interiors in a traverse body.
Trust me, much lesser gripes than CX9 owners. And those features you pointed out, yes those are my complaints too but they are minor. Quality is excellent and fuel economy is pretty good (avg 21 in crazy bay area traffic and 27 hwy). Koreans are understating their mpgs since the mpg gate! Auto high beam and rain sensing wipers were added on 2018 models.
Honestly I don't really care about the Kia gripes whether they're a lot or lesser than the CX9...at least for you you considered the CX9 but were disappointed...for me I didn't even consider the Sorento or even a Santa Fe XL which is another popular model. There are centain brands that I won't even touch in my life and Hyundai and Kia are some of them. Maybe I am losing out maybe I'm not but that's on me.
Lol this is a new low. Atleast CX5 gets serious competition with one and only CRV, here CX9 has to defend itself against a lowly Kia (flame2).
Unless i was financially tight i would not consider Kia Hyundai and Nissan. Sure feature to feature it would be 4-6K cheaper but even when low on cash a CPO or used highlander wins against a brand new Kia. CX9 owners, stop getting trolled guys.
46k for a Sorento
Unless i was financially tight
Paid 7k less, lol.
That's part of it too. I wouldn't buy American unless it was unusually fantastic. I would never buy German. I like Kia but there's still some lingering reputation from the past that is hard to shake. It still resonates as the cheap brand even though it's not. I'm really only into buying Japanese, specifically Toyota and Mazda, and Mazda only as of the last few years. So when people are shopping cars, the reality is that most people have a narrow list of brands they look at regardless of how nice vehicles might be outside of those brands. There might be a vehicle that is a perfect fit in every way except that you just don't like how it looks. You probably won't buy a car you don't think looks good.
Same here...won't buy any domestic brands though I drive one as it's a company vehicle which I didn't have a choice though I don't pay anything for it...won't touch German brands either nor any Asian brand other than Japanese and the only Japanese brands I would buy are Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, or Mazda. I do understand the value propositions of Hyundai and Kia and that's why they're volume sellers and also give out tons of deals like thousands below MSRP or zero percent financing etc but to me at end of the day they're just cheap vehicles like Nissans...appliances that simply tick as many boxes to appear the most features for your $ but don't stand out in ANY aspect! At least some brands do like Mazdas...they may not be the volume sellers but they stand out design wise, they put passion in building their cars which is evident in their engineering and they have a DNA which is "driving matters". Besides I would prefer driving something that you don't see every 5mins...with the CX9 that's one way to stand out in a crowd vs driving a vehicle that's too common and you just become the crowd.
You do know things have changed in the world of cars for a bit now...
Kia builds the Stinger, Hyundai the i30N and oh dare I say there is now a luxury Korean brand which is called Genesis?
The G70 is honestly one of the best looking sport sedan if not THE best and packs a great value in a small price/package.
I drive a Mazda CX-9 and and Hyundai i30.
Owning a Mazda Cx-9 when I had to buy a compact car the first one I went to check is the mazda 3... The zoom zoom car, fun to drive... They say. What a disappointment... The engine is very rough and unrefined at low speed very unpleasant in traffic. The i30 has a much smoother engine and no vibration what so ever when driving. It's also a much more quiet car...
When the new CX-9 came out I went to test drive one straight away and what a disappointment again... Engine is again rough, unrefined and feels like driving a small diesel engine. This plus the lack of space in the new Gen crossed it for me.
On the other hand I test drove the kia Sorento with the diesel engine (only one available in higher trim in Australia) and what a smooth and pleasant car to drive.
The cx-9 is beautiful inside out, and I love it but what a let down otherwise... And don't let me start on options that disappeared on the new Gen, missing apple car play etc...
Some people have to open their eyes, Koreans are doing excellent cars and it's going to get better and better...
You do know things have changed in the world of cars for a bit now...
Kia builds the Stinger, Hyundai the i30N and oh dare I say there is now a luxury Korean brand which is called Genesis?
The G70 is honestly one of the best looking sport sedan if not THE best and packs a great value in a small price/package.
I drive a Mazda CX-9 and and Hyundai i30.
Owning a Mazda Cx-9 when I had to buy a compact car the first one I went to check is the mazda 3... The zoom zoom car, fun to drive... They say. What a disappointment... The engine is very rough and unrefined at low speed very unpleasant in traffic. The i30 has a much smoother engine and no vibration what so ever when driving. It's also a much more quiet car...
When the new CX-9 came out I went to test drive one straight away and what a disappointment again... Engine is again rough, unrefined and feels like driving a small diesel engine. This plus the lack of space in the new Gen crossed it for me.
On the other hand I test drove the kia Sorento with the diesel engine (only one available in higher trim in Australia) and what a smooth and pleasant car to drive.
The cx-9 is beautiful inside out, and I love it but what a let down otherwise... And don't let me start on options that disappeared on the new Gen, missing apple car play etc...
Some people have to open their eyes, Koreans are doing excellent cars and it's going to get better and better...
Lots of opinions out there that Mazda dropped the ball in some ways with the CX-9. For me and no doubt many others, the CX-9 specifically brought me to Mazda. I've been a long time Toyota owner and would still be if Mazda didn't design and engineer the CX-9 as they did.
When I'm not transporting my family of 4, It's my daily commuter to work where I'm alone. I do indeed enjoy the vehicles dynamics as if it's a sports sedan.
There's this odd idea that a vehicle can be everything. People seem to forget that Porsche builds SUV's and that they are their best selling models. Are they the roomiest? Of course not, that would conflict with their purpose. Same with Jaguar and others. It's not JUST about hauling stuff.