- the mazda cx-9 is getting updates for 2020 that include new features and a price hike for all trim levels.
- second-row captain's chairs are newly available on upper trim levels, as is a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
- the 2020 mazda cx-9 goes on sale this fall for a starting price of $34,835.
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 $1510 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 $2100, 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.
2020 cx-9 models with these new features should start arriving in dealerships within the next few months.