10 Reasons the 2016 Mazda CX-9 Wins Autoweb Buyer's Choice Best Large SUV Award

2016 Mazda CX 9 exterior front angle ・ Photo by Mazda

Not only did the Zoom-Zoom brand’s smallest vehicle—the Mazda MX-5 Miata—win one of our year-end awards, so did its largest: The 2016 Mazda CX-9 three-row crossover has captured the 2017 Autoweb Buyer's Choice Award for Large SUVs. (Indeed, with the Mazda CX-5 also winning two Autoweb awards, Mazda led all companies with four trophies.)

10) Turbocharged Engine

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is the rare three-row vehicle with a 4-cylinder engine, but turbocharging lets drivers enjoy both power and efficiency. After all, the CX-9's engine  blends a best-in-class 310 lb.-ft. of torque with a best-in-class 25 mpg in combined driving—and 227 standard horsepower.

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9) LED Illumination

While LED headlights tend to be stylish while also improving the forward view at night, they’re options on most mainstream SUVs. In the 2016 Mazda CX-9, however, they're standard, complete with automatic on/off functionality and automatic height control. Not only that, but they’re complemented by standard LED taillights, optional LED foglights, and available LED accent lighting inside.

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8) Predictive All-Wheel Drive

Any sport-utility vehicle worth its salt needs an all-wheel-drive system, and the 2016 Mazda CX-9 has a particularly sophisticated setup that constantly monitors 27 different factors. This information, much of it related to driving conditions, is analyzed some 200 times a second to “predict” what the driver will face, and the system then will adjust power accordingly for maximum grip.

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7) Mazda CONNECT

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 bristles with infotainment technology, beginning with a standard Mazda CONNECT system that features the exclusive Command Control interface. Also standard are a 7-inch multifunction display, Bluetooth, voice recognition SMS text messaging, and interfaces for Aha, Pandora, and Stitcher Internet radio resources. Navigation and an 8-inch screen are optional.

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6) True Luxury Touches

All 2016 Mazda CX-9s have premium standard amenities such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the range-topping Signature model showcases luxury cues like real aluminum cabin trim and rosewood inlays, the latter from the premier guitar makers at Fujigen of Japan. Nappa leather seating, with a heated front row, is available as well.

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5) Head-Up Display

Another feature usually reserved for luxury vehicles—a head-up display—is another advantage available for the 2016 Mazda CX-9. The company’s Active Driving Display projects key vehicle information on the inside of the windshield, right in the driver’s line of sight. That way, it’s easier for folks to keep their focus where it should be—on the road.

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4) Classic KODO Design

Something else that sets the 2016 Mazda CX-9 apart from its large SUV rivals is its slick exterior design. Oh, the CX-9 still has rugged details like a massive front grille, yet the body benefits from the same “KODO—Soul of Motion” design language you see in Mazda’s sleek and sporty-looking cars.

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3) Crossover-Style Capability

The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is perfect for family adventures, with a 3500-lb. towing capacity that’s enough for pop-up tent trailers, snowmobiles, small watercraft, and more. Meanwhile, the vehicle’s roof rack, cross bars, and side rails can be configured to handle bikes, cargo boxes, skis, surfboards, paddleboards, and even kayaks.

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2) Spacious Cabin

For families on the move, the 2016 Mazda CX-9 can seat seven while accommodating 14.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row. That volume increases to 38.2 cubic feet with the back seats folded, and there’s a total of 71.2 cubic feet of available space when both rows of seats are folded.

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1) i-ACTIVSENSE Safety Measures

As you'd expect of a large new three-row SUV, the 2016 Mazda CX-9 is packed with driver-assistance technologies, highlighted by an available i-ACTIVSENSE bundle with camera- and radar-based support. In the CX-9's safety suite are a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and advanced automatic braking with a dedicated function for city driving.

Read about the 17 Most Wanted Vehicles of 2016 for the full list of the 2017 Autobytel Car Buyer's Choice Award recipients.

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