mazda cx-9 review Page 4

Mazda’s CX-9 is the seven-seat family bus that thinks it’s a boutique hotel—quiet, plush, and surprisingly classy for the school run.

The 2.5‑litre turbo petrol pulls with a fat mid‑range through a smooth 6‑speed auto; keep your foot in and it’ll sip like a tradie on smoko—i.e. not sparingly.

Ride comfort is properly cushy, steering is tidy, and the cabin materials punch above the price, though the third row is best for kids and in‑laws you’re fond of, but not too fond.

Infotainment is better in later models, safety tech is comprehensive, and refinement is right up there; just don’t expect V8 theatre or cavernous boot space with all seven in play.

If you want a dependable, polished cruiser that makes family life feel less like admin and more like a road trip, the CX‑9 nails the brief.