LOS ANGELES — Mazda Motor Corporation showed off its new 2016 CX-9 three-row, midsize crossover SUV at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday. The automaker hopes to sell 50,000 units globally, with 80 percent of them being on the roads in America.
The CX-9 will be equipped with Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G four-cylinder, 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It will produce as much as 227 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque.
“The all-new CX-9 is positioned at the top of our new generation line-up,” said Mazda Motor Corp. CEO Masamichi Kogai. “The biggest market for the CX-9 is right here in North America. This model delivers outstanding driving performance. This new crossover SUV is perfect for the active family. We expect a big boost and sustained growth in North America. Looking forward, Mazda will look to advance our entire product line-up and raise the appeal in the Mazda brand.”
The 2016 model will be quieter, more refined and offer better fuel economy than the outgoing model, according to a press release from the automaker. The CX-9 was specifically designed for the U.S. market.
“CX-9 is sexy, sleek and yet, stable,” said Julien Montousse, director of design at Mazda North America. “Notice how proud and upright the grill is, yet how directional and pulled back the cabin sits. The vehicle is nearly grounded in a confident trapezoid stance. On the inside, everywhere you look and touch, you’ll find a sense of great authentic craftsmanship. Real aluminum is on the dashboard and on the doors. We also take great care in stitching the high grade leather.”
Pricing has not yet been announced. However, the new CX-9 will arrive in U.S. dealerships this Spring. We might have more details at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January.
“It will be interesting because a lot of the debuts are in segments that have been struggling recently,” said Akshay Anand, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “It will be interesting to see whether consumers take to those or just kind of ignore them and keep looking at SUV’s they’ve been snapping up recently.”
Watch the Mazda press conference at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show
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Mazda Motor Corp. CEO Masamichi Kogai describes the features of the all-new CX-9. (Photo by Jason Rzucidlo/AmericaJR.com)
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Julien Montousse, director of design at Mazda North America, talks about the interior of the new CX-9. (Photo by Jason Rzucidlo/AmericaJR.com)
