2021 Mazda CX-9 vs 2021 Subaru Ascent

2021 Mazda CX-9

2021 Subaru Ascent

Select style

Carbon Edition AWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CX-9 Carbon Edition AWD	20	26	$40,848	$43,180
CX-9 Carbon Edition FWD	22	28	$39,049	$41,280
CX-9 Grand Touring AWD	20	26	$41,659	$44,040
CX-9 Grand Touring FWD	22	28	$39,863	$42,140
CX-9 Signature AWD	20	26	$44,273	$46,805
CX-9 Sport AWD	20	26	$34,116	$36,060
CX-9 Sport FWD	22	28	$32,319	$34,160
CX-9 Touring AWD	20	26	$35,808	$37,850
CX-9 Touring FWD	22	28	$34,012	$35,950

Select style

8-Passenger

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Ascent 8-Passenger	21	27	$30,304	$32,295
Ascent Limited 7-Passenger	20	26	$36,964	$39,595
Ascent Limited 8-Passenger	20	26	$36,964	$39,595
Ascent Premium 7-Passenger	21	27	$32,579	$34,795
Ascent Premium 8-Passenger	21	27	$32,579	$34,795
Ascent Touring 7-Passenger	20	26	$42,290	$45,445

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$40,848

$30,304

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$43,180

$32,295

Monthly Payment Estimate

$720 / month

$538 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.5

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV rewards drivers with good road manners, but takes a penalty in third-row space.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent scales the mountain of family needs for a three-row crossover.

TCC Likes

Very attractive
Well-done interior
Good safety gear

Good interior space
Capable powertrain
Great crash-test scores

TCC Dislikes

Distracting infotainment controller
Cramped third-row and cargo space
Limited lineup

Style is aged
Turbos can be thirsty
Not as spacious as some rivals

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

21 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

27 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Small SUV 4WD

Standard SUV 4WD

Interior Dimensions

Second Hip Room (in)

57.4

57.5

Passenger Volume (ft³)

135.8

153.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

57.9

61.1

Third Leg Room (in)

29.7

31.7

Second Head Room (in)

38.5

Third Hip Room (in)

40.1

45.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.1

60.3

Passenger Capacity

Front Leg Room (in)

42.2

Third Head Room (in)

35.4

36.3

Front Hip Room (in)

56.7

57.7

Third Shoulder Room (in)

53.1

57.2

Second Leg Room (in)

39.4

38.6

Front Head Room (in)

40.1

41.3

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Rear (in)

65.2

64.2

Wheelbase (in)

115.3

113.8

Liftover Height (in)

31.7

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

77.5

Track Width, Front (in)

65.3

64.4

Length, Overall (in)

199.4

196.8

Height, Overall (in)

67.6

71.6

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.7

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

40.2

45.9

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

50.5

47.6

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

38.2

47.5

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

58.6

47.2

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

30.3

33.9

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

84.9

82.5

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

71.2

86.5

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

21.5

19.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

14.4

17.8

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

13.1

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.5

19.3

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P255/50VR20

P245/60HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/50VR20

P245/60HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

2000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

3500

2000

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

3500

2000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

200

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

350

200

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4409

4430

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.5

18 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

20 X 8.5

18 X 7.5

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

Engine

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 2000

277 @ 2000

Engine Order Code

Displacement

2.5 L/152

2.4 L/146

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

227 @ 5000

260 @ 5600

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded H-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

4.41

4.44

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.45

Trans Type

Drivetrain

All Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.99

3.39

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.99

Trans Order Code

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

CVT w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.60

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.49

3.49 - 0.83

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.51

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.65

Summary

Vehicle Name

Mazda CX-9

Subaru Ascent

Body Style

i-ACTIV AWD Sport Utility

Sport Utility

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.7

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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