The 2018 Mazda CX-9 has a two-tone interior with an infotainment screen floating in the middle of the dash.
If there’s one automaker that literally thinks outside the box, it’s Mazda.
All Mazda crossovers follow the company’s Kodo “Soul of Motion” design language, which makes them look like works of modern art. Indeed, they are the opposite of boxy.
Or, as the car-maker says: “A car isn’t simply a mass of metal. Mazda believes it’s more like a living creature. Creating an emotional bond between a driver and his car is comparable with the relationship between horse and rider.”
So, let’s saddle up in this week’s tester: A 2018 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring model with all-wheel-drive and an MSRP of $43,905. Pricing for the CX-9 starts at $32,130 for a Sport trim model, $34,960 for a Touring model and $40,470 for a Grand Touring model such as our tester.
Mazdas are available locally at Tim Short Mazda on International Drive. Late this week, the dealership had seven 2018 models in digital inventory. Some stores have 2017s still in stock. Updates for 2018 are limited to some added safety-tech features on the basic model, a couple of mechanical tweaks and the addition of a gorgeous Soul Red Crystal metallic paint color to the line.