CX-9

MAZDA'S CX-9 represented the Japanese company's first seven-seat SUV, rivalling the likes of Toyota's Kluger.

The CX-9 was designed primarily for the US and adding an extra third-row of seats, all wrapped in a striking wagon bodystyle that concealed its size well and had obvious links with the five-seater CX-7 compact SUV.

All examples were powered by a 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6, which at the time was claimed to be the most powerful Mazda engine ever.

In October 2009, a facelifted model was launched with price cuts of up to $3115 for the Luxury model and $2000 for the Classic entry-level model while adding a new prestige Grand Touring variant to the line-up.

Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from the 3.7-litre V6 were improved, assisted by aerodynamic tweaks to the vehicle's exterior and the suspension was tweaked to improve ride comfort.

The enhanced interior got anti-whiplash front head restraints, a 4.3-inch full-colour LCD dashboard screen, higher-grade seat trim (soft-touch cloth on the Classic, softer black leather on the Luxury/Grand Touring), chrome-plated finishing on oft-touched items (rather than silver-coloured paint), and a new double-opening centre console storage area.

Satellite navigation with Bluetooth was introduced as an option on Luxury models and as standard on the Grand Touring range-topper.

October 2010 saw futher revisions to the engine plus lighter, redesigned alloy wheels and lower rolling resistance tyres that again reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

In June 2011 a front-wheel drive base variant was offered, the weight and friction savings contributing to a 0.2L/100km improvement in fuel consumption.