DecodedCars2018 Mazda CX-9
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 22 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 199.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,050–4,341 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Mazda CX-9 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,341 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway), 4% worse than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 CX-9 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 199.6 in | 77.6 in | 67.7 in | 115.4 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,341 lb | 55/45 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 199.6 in | 77.6 in | 67.7 in | 115.4 in | 64.6 / 64.6 in | 4,050 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-9 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | -4% | $2,800 | 362 |
| CX-9 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 23 | -1% | $2,900 | 391 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mazda CX-9 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.9% |
| 2018 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.1% |
Similar 2018 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mazda CX-9 (this car) | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2018 Ford Explorer | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 Toyota Highlander | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Nissan Pathfinder | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Pilot | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 17 |
Recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Nov 12, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V875000 · 121,038 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Electrical System › Wiring · May 30, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V403000 · 7,854 vehicles
- Problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 CX-9 vehicles. The wiring harness may disrupt electrical communications and disable the passenger frontal air bag, turn signals, and/or engine starting system.
- Risk
- The passenger frontal air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Inoperable turn signals prevent the driver from signaling to other drivers, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3419E.
Not every 2018 Mazda CX-9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Mazda CX-9 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 76 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 13 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 28,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-9. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other CX-9 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 CX-9 | 23 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 13 |
| 2022 CX-9 | 23 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 11 |
| 2021 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 40 |
| 2020 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 19 |
| 2019 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 53 |
| 2017 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 61 |
| 2016 CX-9 | 24 | 199.6 in | Not rated | 0 | 107 |
| 2015 CX-9 | 19 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 35 |
| 2014 CX-9 | 19 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 53 |
| 2013 CX-9 | 19 | 201.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 58 |
| 2012 CX-9 | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 188 |
| 2011 CX-9 | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 138 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →