Which Mazda SUV fits your life better? - Lifestyle - The Times - The Times

Mazda’s five- and seven-passenger SUV segment is alive and well.

I had the chance to test-drive the CX-5 and CX-9 close together, so I thought a comparison review was in order. Both offer great options and mileage no matter what you pick, but the bottom line comes down to interior room overall.

Under the hood of the CX-5 is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder naturally aspirated, making 187 horsepower and down to the pavement via a 6-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. There’s no drama from the 6-speed, and the 2.5L is adequate to move the CX5 pretty effortlessly.

Alternatively the CX-9 has the same 2.5L with a turbo and produces 227 horsepower through the same 6-speed and all-wheel drive. The turbo engine is more fun to drive with the extra boost and power. Both are silky smooth shifters, and the AWD system is legit.

Exterior styling packs a lot of design into both models. Up front, they look incredibly similar with upright grill and surrounds, LED lighting and small dot-shaped fog lights at the corner of the bumpers. As you follow the body lines, the difference is glaringly apparent; one is bigger than the other. The CX-5 is a five-passenger model and does that quite well. The CX-9 is a six- to seven-passenger with the additional rear portion added for space. Around back, they are similar again with LED tail lights, dual exhaust and an upright easy-to-use tailgate.

Interior styling is also similar with small changes, but both are refined. The 5 provides all the tech and comfort one would expect, with a screen centering the dash and controlled by a rotary knob on the console. Push-button start/stop and heated steering wheel are some of the CX-5 options. The CX-9 gets a large surface area but with similar options and tech.

The 9 looks a little more refined with some extra attention to detail and layout. It offers six or seven seats depending on overall layout. Space behind the third row is limited, but you can store groceries and smaller luggage. With a seat folded down, so that you can still use one seat, you can hold more stuff.

Driving dynamics are where the two really differ. The CX-5 has a more upright and tall feeling. It’s a little more agile and easy to drive in tight situations. I’m a fan of how the 5 rides and handles, and it’s definitely the one to choose for a small family or someone who wants some storage, room for a dog or two, and decent mileage.

The 9 is larger, has more weight to it and rides like a luxury SUV. There’s a smoothness not in the 5, and with the addition of the upscale materials, it just feels more luxurious in general. Also, with the additional size it’s a little harder to fit into smaller parking garages and alleys, but not too much. The 9 is made for larger families or people who want that third-row option.

Both are incredibly useful and fun-to-drive SUVs with a lot of tech and comfort. It all comes down to the size difference and price overall. The CX-5 starts at $24,150 and will manage around 23 mpg average while the CX-9 starts around $32,280 and will get slightly less mpg with the additional mass and turbo engine.

I highly recommend the Mazda lineup of SUVs if you’re in the market for a family hauler.

Will Chamberlain is a local freelance automotive journalist and full-time Realtor with eXp Realty in Beaver. He can be reached at wchamberlain@pghcarguys.com.