Review: 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature

It just feels right

The CX-9 Signature never strayed too far from my home during its residency. Yet, every trip I did take was nearly a dream.

For starters, parking. The Mazda Connect system uses the front and rear parking sensors to create a magic overhead view while pulling into the spot of my choosing. No longer did I need to worry about missing the mark or, worse, hitting someone else\’s. It\’s definitely a feature more vehicles should offer.

Another thing I loved was the turbo-four. As soon as I was clear to pull out, the CX-9 was ready to go. The roar pumped out of the pair of exhaust tips was music to my ears. It also did well on gas for the two longer-distance trips I took to the Roanoke-Salem area, managing around 26 mpg (which is its average highway rating). I wound up using around half of its 19.5 gallons, dropping just over $25 for premium at my local Speedway on its last night with me.

One drawback I found was rear storage. I thought I could leave the third row up for my trip to the laundromat. Alas, things were a bit tight for my bag; thus, the row was folded down. Once it was down, though, I had plenty of breathing room for my laundry, as well as the couple of shopping runs to Kroger and Walmart I made with my mom.

In closing…

The 2020 Mazda CX-9 Signature may well be one of my favorite crossovers. The combination of luxury and performance in a package more American consumers are choosing over sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks is a welcome sight, to be sure. It\’ll certainly put a smile on your face when you lay the hammer down on the way to Daytona, Sebring, or Road America.

Photos: Aubernon Highway/Cameron Aubernon