The Mazda CX-9 is a compact SUV built from 2007 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 100% of those on record. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the CX-9 is
The Mazda CX-9 is a compact SUV that Mazda built from 2007 to 2026 — 20 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2016. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Mazda range: CX-5, CX-50, CX-30.
Where the CX-9 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 1,319 CX-9s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JM3 | 2007-2023 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Mazda VIN decide which of these 2 lines your CX-9 belongs to. What every character in a CX-9 VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Mazda CX-9 adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
CX-9 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the CX-9's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the CX-9 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2015 | 507 cm | 288 cm | 1956 kg | - | - |
| 2016-2023 | 507 cm | 293 cm | 1903 kg | +0 cm | -53 kg |
Mazda CX-9 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment CX-9 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Mazda CX-9 have? Power & range
The Mazda CX-9 is offered with 3 powertrains — 3.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 3 for the Mazda CX-9, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.7L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4WD | Regular |
| Hybrid | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4WD | Premium and Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Mazda CX-9 tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Mazda CX-9 is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your CX-9's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The CX-9 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Mazda CX-9. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | CX-9 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 55 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 1,475 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,334/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 587 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Mazda CX-9?
The CX-9 is a compact SUV, built from 2007 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6.
Where is the Mazda CX-9 made?
Across 1,319 cars in our records the split is: Japan (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the CX-9 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2016. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Mazda CX-9 warranty?
New models carry 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the CX-9 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific CX-9?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Mazda
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | 2013–2026 | 33 | 38 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-50 | 2023–2026 | 10 | 38 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda MX-5 | 1990–2026 | 34 | 30 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda RX-7 | 1981–1996 | 23 | 18 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-30 | 2020–2026 | 11 | 29 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-90 | 2024–2026 | 15 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |