Mazda CX-9 Engineered for Dog-Friendly Adventures #DriveMazda

I zoom-zoomed to my dog-friendly adventures in Islamorada in the 2015 Mazda CX-9 full size crossover SUV in Meteor Gray.  The CX-9 is so fun to drive and it is also bigger inside than you may think, making for a very stylish, comfortable and smooth 3 hour ride down to the Florida Keys.

Engineered for Adventures

With a 3.7-liter V-6 engine, the Mazda CX-9 delivers plenty of passing power with an estimated 24 MPG on the highway, not bad for a larger crossover SUV.  The 6-speed automatic shifted gently and we loved how the display always told us what gear we were in even when not manually shifting.  The steering was firm and we found the CX-9 very responsive on the highway, side roads and even the sandy pull-offs along the Florida Bay. 

The overall driving experience of the 2015 CX-9 is more like a sporty car than an SUV.  We imagine the 2016 CX-9, which will have the added Mazda SKYACTIV technology, will be even better especially on fuel economy.

As Much to Explore Inside as there is Outside

Inside the CX-9 we found a very stylish cabin complete with touch-screen navigation system, a 10-speaker Bose audio system with AM/FM and Sirius Radio, USB and aux-in ports, Bluetooth connectivity, power front-seats and a power sunroof.  We were riding in luxury!

The CX-9 has seating for seven - two front seats, three seats in the second row and two seats in the third row.  While we believe you can comfortably fit adults in the two front rows, with plenty of leg and headroom, you would probably only use the third row for children or pets.  In regard to that third row, we will say it has real seats and more legroom than we have seen in other 3 row crossovers.

Being we are in Florida, we are always happy when the air conditioning cools the car quickly, which in the Mazda CX-9, with its three-zone automatic climate control, it did.  Our backseat passengers, friend Rob and Ma's sister as well as myself, loved having our own set of controls on the back of the front-center console for the air conditioning.

Safety's Important

Safety is important which is why I always "Buckle up, Pup" with my Sleepypod Clickit Harness.  Each of the seven seats in the Mazda CX-9 has three point seat belts making it very family and pet safe!  The CX-9 also offers a 3 row side air curtain (airbags) in case of emergency.

Mazda engineered the CX-9 for safety - to protect with an intelligent body structure and intuitive safety technologies.  The CX-9 is designed with Dynamic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control to prevent wheelspin and increase traction during hard breaking and acceleration.

Two safety features we really appreciated were the rearview camera/backup sensors and blind spot monitoring.  Mazda's Blind Spot Monitoring System alerts the driver if a vehicle or object is in your blind spot and if it is safe to change lanes by activating a light sensor on both the driver and passenger side mirrors.  In addition, you can turn on/off the tone alert that occurs with the Blind Spot light sensor.

Can Take on the Incredible

The Mazda CX-9 is ready to take on the incredible, like visiting an oversized yet life-like Florida Lobster!  We believe the Mazda CX-9 is a well-designed, safe vehicle that is fun to drive and roomy enough for families with pets and a good amount of gear to take on whatever adventure comes their way.

That is the Mazda Way.  Zoom-Zoom.  Drive Mazda.

Oz the Terrier would like to thank Mazda for giving us the opportunity to test drive the CX-9 for one week and for providing us with a Mazda Drive for Good gift card which allowed us to make a $25 donation to our local rescue, Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue.  Thank you so much Mazda!