Still a very capable ‘Ute, but beginning to show its age Tested: 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

The last time we spent an extended period with the Mazda CX-9, it was when it debuted for model year 2016. We took a weekend trip down to the LBJ Ranch, located outside of Johnson City, Texas. It was a get-together celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the DRT, where my better half has been a longtime member. It was also our first time to tour the museum, as well as his ancestral home. The last time I was down that way, Lady Bird was still alive.

Afterward, we headed west, catching all the wineries along US Highway 290, to a quick stop at an old watering hole we’ve frequent more than once, Luckenbach. Then, it was a overnight weekend stay in Fredericksburg, which included light shopping and fine dining at Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse. The next morning we toured the expanded part of the Nimitz Museum, then headed back home.

On the way up SH Highway 16 we hit possible the biggest gully washer I’ve ever experience. I was forced to use a 40-foor Class A motorhome as my front door, all the way up to Llano, stopping at one of my favorite BBQ stands, Coopers, which even though it was an outdoor pit, it had a line extending out into the rain. Besides regular lunch patrons, the place was filled with weekend hunters.

When we got to Goldthwaite, suddenly, the Mazda started hesitating and dropping in speed. It was so severe I had to pull over into the entrance to a ranch (to make sure I was off the road). Thinking we were toast, and I was having trouble getting a cell out, I contacted my agent who assigned me the CX-9. At this time, I had killed the motor, but while on the phone, was able to start it. As I pulled onto the highway, it came back to life like a champ. So, I knew we could make comfortably to Comanche. Once there, I pulled into a C-store, leaving the motor running, then decided to go the distance (127 miles) making it home without any stops. The next morning, I crank her up, and she purred like a kitten. So, in hindsight, I believe it was the gully washer that contributed to this temporary misfortune, possibly getting the electronics wet.

So, getting hold of the 2020 model felt very familiar. But to say there’s still little difference between the 2016 model we had for our weekend excursion and the 2020, tells you that it’s about time Mazda paid more attention to a complete makeover. And that may come as early as next model season.

It seems like the last time I tested the 2016 CX-9 there weren’t as many players in its segment, and there wasn’t. Now, we can add the Volkswagen Atlas, Subaru Ascent and Honda Passport to the mix, not to mention the South Korean twins, the Kia Telluride and equally impressive Hyundai Palisade. Add to that the restyled Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, and you see where I’m coming from.

In the meantime, the 2020 model does have some significant enhancements from the 2019 model. Again, it’s not a full redesign, but Mazda shook up the features list to make it more competitive with other mid-size three-row crossovers. Most notable, all changes come from a small increase in torque - the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gets bumped from 310 pound-feet of torque to 320 pound-feet. Horsepower remains the same at 250 horses. Those figures are only applicable when using 93 octane fuel. It goes down to 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque when 87 octane is used.

Another new feature is an off-road traction assist button, replacing the traction control button. This new feature is meant to help when navigating rougher terrain. Here’s how Mazda describes its function:

“When the diagonal wheels lose traction, off-road traction assist will stop reducing the engine torque and increases the brake force on the wheels without traction. This transfers power to the wheels still on the ground to help allow the vehicle to regain traction and continue the drive.”

The number of standard features on the base Sport trim is up, too. Now all CX-9s get heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated outside mirrors and auto high-beams. Additionally, Mazda made its full suite of i-Activsense safety features standard. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and other driver assistance niceties. Mazda has also adopted the new key fob design of the Mazda3 for the CX-9.

Optional on the Touring and Grand Touring are second-row captain’s chairs. Previously, Mazda only offered bench style seating for the CX-9, so this addition could be a huge turn-on for some buyers. The chairs have armrests, and the lack of a center pull-down means Mazda had to redesign its cupholder layout in back. In CX-9s equipped with the chairs, the cup holders and USB ports are now integrated into the backside of the front center console. If you opt for the captain’s chairs in the Grand Touring or Signature trims, the seats are heated.

Pricing does increase a fair amount for the 2020 CX-9. A base front-wheel drive Sport is now priced at $34,835 including destination, a $1,510 increase from last year’s base price. The top of the range only got $750 more expensive, though, as the Signature starts at $47,160. Look for 2020 models to roll into dealer lots as we speak.

Since the CX-9 three-row SUV arrived for 2016, Mazda has made tweaks to its formula nearly every year. For 2020, the CX-9 benefits from several newly available features including second-row captain's chairs and a new touchscreen, and also gets a bit of extra torque for its turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

The turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four that comes standard on all trim levels gets a 10 lb.-ft boost to 320 lb.-ft of torque (this is when running on premium fuel, as Mazda quotes a lower number of 310 lb.-ft when running on regular gas). It still pairs with a six-speed automatic and either front- or all-wheel drive.

Mazda has also reprogrammed its traction control system and is touting a new feature called "off-road traction assist." Instead of a button to deactivate the traction control, there's now a button for this system that causes the traction-control system to stop restricting engine torque while also applying braking to wheels without traction.

The base Sport trim gets a $1,510 price hike but makes up for that difference with newly standard features such as heated front cloth seats, a power driver's seat, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, and Mazda's full i-Activsense suite of driver-assist features.

The $36,655 Touring trim introduces the new 9.0-inch touchscreen display, which Mazda unfortunately hasn't provided photos of. It also gets a new key fob design and power-adjustable second-row seats. The Touring Premium Package, for $2,100, includes the new captain's chairs, which reduce total seating capacity to six, and two USB ports for the third row.

Pony up $42,495 for the CX-9 Grand Touring and you get the third-row USB ports, heating for the second-row captain's chairs, and the hands-free power liftgate that we assume functions with a kick under the rear bumper (Mazda hasn't provided details on how it works).

The $47,160 CX-9 Signature still resides at the top of the lineup, adding a center console in between the heated second-row captain's chairs. It's now available with two Nappa leather upholstery colors, either Parchment or Deep Chestnut, and it has a new dark wheel finish to differentiate it from the Grand Touring.