The destiny of the beloved CX-9 has been sealed since we first saw the 2024 Mazda CX-90. Mazda has already stated that the CX-9 and CX-90 would not be able to coexist like the CX-5 and CX-50. According to Mazda, the CX-9 will be phased out at the end of the 2023 model year.
This is due to a more significant transition occurring within Mazda’s lineup of crossover models. While the CX-90 is built on Mazda’s new longitudinal-engine platform and comes with either a turbocharged inline-six engine or a plug-in hybrid powertrain, the CX-9 is based on the company’s transverse-engine architecture and employs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
It’s been a while since we heard about updates for the Mazda range distributed in Malaysia by Bermaz Motor. The last time was in April for the latest MX-5 RF and Mazda6, and a month earlier, the company also announced that bookings for the new CX-3 were accepted.
Now comes the updated CX-9, flagship of Mazda’s SUV range, which gets cosmetic as well as technical upgrades. The 3-row SUV is available in two variants – 2WD and AWD – both using the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 turbocharged petrol engine with an output of 228 ps/420 Nm and a 6-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission.
Peninsular Malaysia pricing (without insurance and with 50% exemption on sales tax) is from RM319,847.40 for the 2WD variant and RM336,215.40 for the AWD variant. All new vehicles come with a 5-year warranty (or maximum of 100,000 kms) and also free maintenance service for the first 5 years (or maximum of 100,000 kms).
Mazda SKYACTIV-G engine
The 2021 CX-9 is now available in the ‘Ignite Edition’ which features gloss black door outer mirrors, gloss black for the new front grille design, and 20-inch black metallic aluminium alloy wheels as standard. LED headlights with auto-levelling, LED daytime running lights and taillights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers are also standard. Body colours available are Soul Red Crystal, Machine Gray, Snowflake White Pearl, Sonic Silver, Deep Crystal Blue and Jet Black.
The interior features burgundy-coloured leather seats and black interior trim on the dash, door panels and handle bezels. The infotainment system now has wireless Apple CarPlay along with Android Auto capabilities for easier connectivity with smartphones. Also new are a wireless charger (if you have a phone with the capability) and paddle shifters.
Other standard features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 3-zone automatic climate control, 10 power adjustments for the driver’s seat with memory positioning, interior LED accents, Bluetooth handsfree phone and audio pairing, keyless entry and push-button start.
As the flagship model, the CX-8 gets an advanced package of safety systems which Mazda calls i-Activsense. These help the driver to avoid accidents and can also automatically respond in dangerous situations by applying the brakes. Mazda Radar Cruise Control allows the driver to enjoy long-distance motoring as a safe gap will always be maintained even when a speed has been set for cruising.
Other systems in i-Activesense include Adaptive LED Headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist and Driver Attention Alert.
To know more about the new CX-9 and other Mazda models in Malaysia, visit www.mazda.com.my.
Mazda Corporation has announced a product recall of 6 of its models which were manufactured between 2017 and 2019. The recall is a precautionary measure relating to a fuel delivery module (fuel pump) which needs to be replaced. A defect in the module could result in loss of engine power or vehicle stalling.
19,685 units in Malaysia
Mazda vehicles sold in China, ASEAN and other are affected and in Malaysia, Mazda has identified a total of 19,685 units of vehicles affected. The model ranges affected are the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9. Bermaz Motor, the distributor, stresses that all 2020 production models are not affected.
CX-9 is among the models affected.
Owners being notified my mail and SMS
Bermaz Motor is handling the matter as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience to owners. All owners of affected vehicle will be informed via notification letters and mobile SMS, which will include details of the product recall. Upon receipt of notification to replace the fuel pump, they should contact any Bermaz authorized service centres to make an appointment for the replacement.
In the meantime, if an owner experiences unusual conditions while driving the vehicle, it is important to stop the vehicle in a safe place and make contact with a Bermaz authorized dealer or service centre for advice and assistance.
Replacement costs are covered by Bermaz
The replacement of the fuel pump all costs related to this activity will be borne by Mazda Motor Corporation. The duration of work is estimated to take approximately 1.5 hours or slightly longer, depending on the model and the service centre workload at the time of appointment. Replacement stocks will be available in stages.
It is possible that some owners may not receive the notification as they may not be the original owners and their contact details might not be with Bermaz. In such a case, they can check by visiting the Mazda Recall Information Centre website at mazda.com.my/mazda-recall-information-centre. By providing their vehicle chassis number, they will be able to know if it is on the recall list.
Mazda vehicles will used to chauffer dignitaries, VIPs and golfers during the coming 2020 Bandar Malaysia Open Golf Tournament. The vehicles will be supplied by Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Mazda vehicles in Malaysia, which is the Official Car Sponsor.
This year’s tournament, to be held from March 5 – 8, 2020 at the Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, is sanctioned by the Asian Tour in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organization. There are 40 spots for Malaysian players which comprises 30 professionals and 10 amateurs, inclusive of 4 junior golfers.
Besides supplying a fleet of CX-9 vehicles for transportation, Bermaz Motor is also offering this Mazda CX-8 as the Hole-In-One prize. The CX-8 is priced from RM179.000.
As the Official Car Sponsor in this historic championship, Bermaz Motor will be showcasing what the Mazda brand stands for. Its flagship premium SUV, the CX-9, will provide the highest level of comfort and safety to the distinguished guests during their journeys throughout the event.
The 7-seater CX-9 (shown below) is available in 2 variants, both powered by the 2.5-litre SKYACTIV-G direct-injection turbocharged engine, and with a choice of FWD or AWD. Prices start from RM290,610 without insurance.
To know more about the CX-9 and other Mazda models available in Malaysia, visit www.mazda.com.my.
It’s beyond good. No, really. I normally don’t start-off a review by cutting to the chase, but this time I really see no point to delaying the inevitable. So I’ll start with how I normally end: If you’re looking for a large 7-seater SUV, and if this is within your budget, you simply must go have a test-drive of the Mazda CX-9. And now if you’re interested to know more, here’s why… but first, here’s my first-impression video upon collecting the CX-9 from Bermaz…
First-off, while looks are indeed subjective, and beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder and blah, blah, blah, blah, and all that, I personally think the Mazda CX-9 is an extremely attractive looking SUV, especially from this angle:
In fact, the external colour of this test-unit really doesn’t do the styling any justice, because I’ve seen it in silver and it looks even more magnificent. The CX-9 somehow manages to pull-off being stylishly-elegant and yet subliminally-sporty at the same time, and folks, it only gets better over on the inside…
Pictures (and of course my severely-limited photography skills) really don’t do any justice to the interior of the CX-9, because it’s jinba-ittai* city in there. The moment you get in, I defy you to not think that you’re in a continental SUV because this one simply reeks of opulence. I have to say, in terms of interiors, the CX-9 really does have one of the best (if not the best) in its class. While ergonomics are top-notch, it’s not just the way the interior is laid-out, but also the way it’s made and from the materials that it’s made up of, which really sets it apart from the rest.
*“Jinba-Ittai reflects the feeling that the sense of oneness between a rider and his beloved horse is the ultimate bond.” –Mazda.
The most amazing thing about the CX-9 though is the way it uses the 228bhp and whopping 420Nm of torque from its 2.5-litre, DOHC, Skyactiv-G 16-valve, 4-cyl petrol engine, mated to a SkyactivDrive 6-speed auto transmission with manual shift capability. For starters, all that delicious torque is available from just 2,000rpm, and this enables the CX-9, despite its size, to accelerate from a standstill to triple-digit speeds in a time that totally belies its external size.
(Full specifications sheet can be downloaded after the photo gallery)
The thing is though, thanks to GVC* or G-Force Vectoring Control , the acceleration and speeds that the CX-9 can achieve are more refined and smooth rather than frantic and frenetic. Excellent NVH suppression also means that speeds well in excess of the national limit cannot be felt, at all; 140 does indeed feel like 80. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
So what is *GVC? It’s not easy to explain GVC, because it all boils down to ‘feeling’, but I’ll try. Using a sophisticated arsenal of active sensors that are constantly communicating between the engine, gearbox, accelerator pedal, steering wheel, suspension, active safety systems and even the chassis, GVC continually monitors all the driving inputs from the driver, i.e. speed, terrain, road conditions, throttle position, acceleration, deceleration, even lateral and longitudinal forces, to optimise every facet in order to provide a more relaxed and smooth ride regardless if it’s a straight highway or twisty B-road drive.
That didn’t help much did it? Okay it’s magic. GVC is magic. Well it feels like it anyway, but for a more detailed and concise explanation, one better than the above, click this official link: Mazda WTH Is GVC…
And now the bad part. Because the CX-9 is fully-imported (CBU), it retails for a whopping RM265,585.40 for this 2WD variant as tested, and RM280,585.40 for the AWD variant (both variants share the exact same powertrain, individual spec sheets below the photo gallery). These prices are with zero-rated GST too, which is a good thing because earlier the aforementioned AWD variant was just a couple of grand shy of RM300,000! Ouch.
But you know what, as I said in my final parting-words video below, I reviewed this SUV without wanting to know anything about it. Really, when I picked it up, I didn’t know how much it cost, or what kind of specifications it had, and I’m happy to say, I underestimated every aspect, especially the price. As you’ll see in the video below, I mentioned that it “feels like half-a-million bucks”. Well it doesn’t cost that much, not even close, but boy, oh yeah, does it ever feel like it. – Chris Wee.
