2018 Mazda CX-9 gets more upgrades in the US

The 2018 Mazda CX-9 will get new techs, new features and, obviously new prices.

Since the last update for the 2016 version, the Mazda CX-9 has recently received a host of drastic technological changes for the 2018 model year.

Big changes for all trim levels include rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring and notably, an all-new automatic emergency braking system called Smart City Brake Sport.

angular front of the 2018 Mazda CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 has recently received a host of drastic technological changes for the 2018 model year

Apart from those safety features, now drivers can feel more excited when driving thanks to Mazda’s standard G-Vectoring Control. By tweaking the steering inputs, throttle settings and the engine mapping, this technology will remarkably help lessen the engine torque while cornering. Moreover, the car’s weight also drifts towards the front wheels, so the direct feel from the rear wheels will be deeper.

>>> Related story: 2018 Mazda CX-3: Prices revealed

Now, let’s talk about four 2018 Mazda CX-9 variants.

1. The 2018 Mazda CX-9 Sport

This base model also comes with a new Sport Package, but the package is limited to just a bit of tech such as lane departure warning, radar adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, heated front seats and a power driver’s seat, rain-sensing wipers in addition to automatic headlights with high-beam control. The package will set you back $1,290 (P66,026).

The base model of the Mazda CX-9 also comes with a new Sport Package

2. The 2018 Mazda CX-9 Touring

Similar to the outgoing version, the Touring comes loaded with leather seats and a power tailgate. But more than that, the 2018 Touring will be given power passenger seats with lift and lumbar support as well as a tilting driver’s seat. For $1,890 (P96,736), the Touring’s Premium Package will get additional LED fog lamps, a Bose 12-speaker stereo, a new sunroof, satellite navigation system together with parking sensors.

rear view of the 2018 Mazda CX-9

The Touring’s Premium Package will get additional LED fog lamps, a Bose 12-speaker stereo and more

3. The 2018 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring

More features will be added to Grand Touring, for example, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats and windshield wiper deicer beside the existing aluminum trim, adaptive lighting and a head-up display.

4. The 2018 Mazda CX-9 Signature

Despite being the top-spec trim, the Signature will not receive any upgrades. It seems that the Japanese automaker is very smug about the variant’s superior amenities like LED headlights, LED interior lighting, Auburn-colored Nappa leather and also, rosewood trim from Fujigen.

The Mazda CX-9 Signature will not receive any upgrades

All variants of the 2018 Mazda CX-9 will be sold across US dealerships by the end of this month.

Look through the reference price of the 2018 Mazda CX-9 in the US market. Remember that the prices already include the $940 (P48,112) destination charge.

**2018 Mazda CX-9 Prices**
Trim	Drivetrain	Price
Sport	Front-wheel drive	$33,070 (P1,692,624)
Sport	All-wheel drive	$34,870 (P1,784,753)
Touring	Front-wheel drive	$35,900 (P1,837,472)
Touring	All-wheel drive	$37,700 (P1,929,601)
Grand Touring	Front-wheel drive	$41,410 (P2,119,490)
Grand Touring	All-wheel drive	$43,210 (P2,211,620)
Signature	All-wheel drive	$45,255 (P2,316,289)

>>> Click here for more updated cars and concepts in the Philippines as well as around the world.

Know more about Mazda CX-9 2024

Mazda CX-9 2024

The Mazda CX-9 is a midsize seven-seater crossover. For the Philippine market, the CX-9 has a total of two variants. The Mazda CX-9 Philippines price ranges from Php 2,790,000 to Php 3,040,000.

Under the hood, the CX-9 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. At maximum, it can make up to 228 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. All trims come standard with a six-speed automatic gearbox with a gear lever manual mode. Only the top-spec Exclusive variant comes with all-wheel-drive, while the rest has front-wheel-drive.

Size-wise, the CX-9 is 5,075mm long, 1,960mm wide, and 1,747mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,930mm and a ground clearance of 220mm.

Locally, the Mazda CX-9 competes against the likes of the Ford Explorer, Kia Sorento, among others.

Mazda CX-9 Launch

The CX-9 2024 was first introduced globally at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2015. After nine years, the second-generation crossover was released to replace the V6 engine with its current 2.5L turbocharged gasoline engine.

In the Philippines, the Mazda CX-9 was officially launched at the 2017 Manila International Auto Show. It initially came out in one variant which is the Signature AWD, while the Sport variant was marketed in 2018.

In 2023, the entire CX-9 variant lineup was updated with the introduction of the mid-spec CX-9 Black Edition trim. The top-spec trim is now the Exclusive, and the entry-level variant is the Touring.

Mazda CX-9 Exterior

The crossover sports Mazda’s signature Kodo design philosophy, making it considerably one of the most aesthetically pleasing SUVs in today’s automotive market. Its styling It features a longer hood with a more prominent grille and sleeker headlamps.

Furnished in the CX-9 Signature AWD variant are Adaptive LED Headlamps, LED Running Lamps, LED Front Fog Lamps, LED Rear Combination Lamps, and an Electric Glass Sunroof. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels or 18-inch alloy wheels depending on the trim.

Mazda CX-9 exterior

Mazda CX-9 rear end

Mazda CX-9 side end

Mazda CX-9 Interior

Inside, all trims of the CX-9 Philippines are provided with leather seats, a seven-inch LCD meter cluster, dual-zone automatic climate controls, and a push-to-start button.

All trims also come with a 60:40 split second row and a 50:50 split third row. In total, it can seat up to seven occupants.

Mazda CX-9 dashboard

Mazda CX-9 interior

Technology & Safety

All three variants of the new CX-9 are equipped with a 9.2-inch touchscreen LCD Monitor. It is capable of connectivity through two USB ports, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The top-spec Exclusive trim then gets a 12-piece speaker system, but all trims also come with a wireless phone charger.

The Mazda CX-9 comes with extensive safety features that include ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and BA (Brake Assist), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Smart Keyless Entry System, Push Start and Stop button, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, and a 360° View Reverse Camera.

Advanced active safety features on this model include lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, driver attention alert, and radar cruise control.

Platform & Chassis

The 5-door SUV is based on the SkyActiv platform. The suspension comes in the form of a McPherson Strut in front and a Multi-Link suspension at the rear. Stopping power comes from Front Ventilated Discs and Rear Solid Discs through an Electric Parking Brake.

Engine & Drivetrain

Powering the CX-9 2024 is a 2.5L SkyActiv-G PY-VPS Turbo Inline-4 Gasoline engine that produces 227 hp, 420 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive Automatic Transmission. Power is sent to all wheels for the Exclusive variant, and to the front wheels for the Touring and Black Edition variants.

In the Philippines, the Mazda CX-9 may come in eight different colors. These include Sonic Silver, Soul Crystal Red, Machine Gray, Deep Crystal Blue Mica, Titanium Flash, Polymetal Gray, Jet Black, and Snowflake White Pearl.

Compared to its rivals, the Mazda CX-9 offers more of a wagon-like configuration than an SUV-like configuration. This will please those who do not like SUVs. Beyond that, it is largely on-par with its competitors in terms of tech features, all the while providing a premium but analog driving feel. And lastly, it carries a sleek but quiet design unlike most of its rivals.