2017 Mazda CX-9 vs. Its Competition

2017 Mazda CX-9
Andrew Ganz Andrew Ganz Senior Editor

Three-row crossovers are the new family trucksters and the competition has never been more aggressive.

The Honda Pilot is one of our favorites thanks to the way it handles passengers and cargo, even if it's light on personality.

Hyundai's Santa Fe feels more special inside and offers almost as much flexibility, but it diverges from Hyundai tradition by getting expensive with options.

Ford's Explorer is starting to show its age and it falls way short on safety, but it's a heck of a value.

The new GMC Acadia is smaller than its predecessor, which makes a lot of sense, but it could be too tight for larger families.

The Toyota Highlander can feel almost like a Lexus when fully-equipped, but it's big and not especially fun to drive.

2017 Mazda CX-92017 Mazda CX-9
Browse Used Listings		2017 Ford Explorer XLT Sport Appearance Package2017 Ford Explorer
Browse Used Listings		2017 GMC Acadia2017 GMC Acadia
Browse Used Listings		2017 Honda Pilot2017 Honda Pilot
Browse Used Listings		2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Browse Used Listings		2017 Toyota Highlander2017 Toyota Highlander
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
6.5
With sharp looks inside and out, the CX-9 makes a good first impression—but we are less enthralled with its space utilization inside.
6.7
The 2017 Ford Explorer adds a sport appearance package and Sync 3, both of which are important to today's SUV buyers.
7.3
The 2017 GMC Acadia wears its new, smaller size well, offering good room for up to seven, improved dynamics and fuel economy, plenty of features, and a touch of family luxury.
7.5
The 2017 Honda Pilot is a capable, refined crossover SUV with all the goodness of a minivan, save for the sliding doors.
7.5
The restyled 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport looks sharp, inside and out. We can't help but wonder what the model could do with a slightly improved powertrain lineup.
7.0
The Toyota Highlander gets a stronger, more responsive powertrain for 2017, but the main strengths are the ride quality, the cabin refinement, and the space for eight.
MSRP From     
$31,520$31,660$29,070$30,745$25,350$30,630
Gas Mileage     
20 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy16 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy15 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded V-6Gas I4Regular Unleaded V-6Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4
EPA Class     
Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WDStandard Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD2WD Sport Utility VehicleSmall Sport Utility Vehicles 2WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicles 2WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD
Style Name     
Sport FWDBase FWDFWD 4-Door SLE w/SLE-1LX 2WD2.4L AutomaticLE I4 FWD (Natl)
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
777858
Passenger Doors     
N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
Sport UtilitySport Utility4 DoorSport UtilitySport UtilitySport Utility
Transmission     
Automatic w/ODAutomatic w/ODAutomaticAutomatic w/ODAutomatic w/ODAutomatic w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2017 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2017 Ford Explorer2017 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2017 GMC Acadia2017 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2017 Honda Pilot2017 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe2017 Mazda CX-9 vs. 2017 Toyota Highlander