The 2013 Mazda CX-9 is now on sale in Australia,with the updated seven-seater benefitting from refreshed styling,a number of new driver assistance systems and sharper pricing for the popular Luxury variant.
The Mazda CX-9 Classic 2WD kicks off the range at$44,525(up$100 over the previous model),while the mid-spec Luxury variants are$1345 cheaper(and better equipped)than the equivalent models in the old range.The price of the flagship Grand Touring has increased$2223 but now comes with advanced technologies like blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning.
The CX-9's mid-life upgrade brings updated styling inspired by the brand's'Kodo'design language as well as a new infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity standard across the range.
The entry-level front-wheel-drive Mazda CX-9 Classic comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels,front foglights,auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers,cruise control,three-zone climate control,leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearknob,cloth upholstery,60/40 split folding second row seats and 50/50 split third row,and a six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and USB input.
For an extra$8455,the mid-spec CX-9 Luxury adds larger 20-inch alloys,chrome door handles,heated side mirrors with tilt-down reverse function,sunroof,TomTom satellite navigation,eight-way electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory settings and four-way electric passenger seat with heaters,and 10-speaker Bose premium sound system.Ticking the all-wheel-drive option box adds$4500 to the price.
For another$6348,the CX-9 Grand Touring AWD adds bi-xenon headlamps,LED daytime running lights,remote-operated power tailgate,keyless entry and push-button start,auto-dimming rear-view mirror,rear parking sensors,and a suite of driver assist systems including blind spot monitor,forward obstruction warning,lane departure warning and high-beam control.
The existing 204kW/367Nm 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission pairing carries over into the new model,consuming 11.0 litres per 100km on the combined cycle in the 2WD variants and 11.2L/100km in the heavier AWDs.
Mazda Australia is targeting around 300 CX-9 sales per month,with the Luxury expected to account for 60 per cent,followed by the Classic at 25 per cent and the Grand Touring at 15 per cent.The old CX-9 averaged 373 sales per month between January and November this year.
CarAdvice is at the local launch of the 2013 Mazda CX-9 today.Stay tuned for our first-drive review,coming soon.
