Monday, August 24, 2015

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.

Oz the Terrier finds the Mazda CX-9 is truly engineered for adventures

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.

Oz the Terrier inspects the inside of Mazda CX-9 full size crossover SUV

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!

Oz the Terrier in spacious and stylish Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV

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.

Oz the Terrier says Buckle Up Your Pup in Mazda CX-9

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.

Mazda CX-9 safety features we like - Rearview Camera/Rear Traffic Sensor and Blind Spot Monitoring

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.

Oz  the Terrier with Mazda CX-9 taking on the incredible, a huge life-like Florida lobster at The Rain Barrel in Islamorada

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!




18 comments:

  1. Luffs the wheels Oz!!!!!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice! Bet you all had fun testing it out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wowee OZ! That was some cool wheels to get to test out!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice! Make sure you go on loads of fun adventures!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is one cool ride
    Lily & Edward

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cool wheels Oz.
    Luvs Freya Rose Blossom X

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks like you were riding in style, Oz!!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good looking car. I could see Bailie and I riding around in the back of it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ZOOM ZOOM!!! Great review, Oz! That looks like a great SUV. Hey, that cup holder looks like it's bone-shaped, doesn't it? ha roo!
    You asked what Mom does when she doesn't know what kind of birdie she sees! That happens a lot, actually. She does web searches (just describe the bird --- like crow-sized bird with long bill and greenish feathers), looks through books, and uses her favorite site quite often - Cornell. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1478 They even have a beta bird ID tool there now, which she loves playing with!
    Mazda sure was great about the long test drive AND the donation!
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding Oz that pull down cup hold and place to put your bowl or treats, why that is high on my list. You look quite nice in that Mazda CX-9. We still don't drive very far. Lee is starting twelve weeks of intense physical therapy tomorow to see if they can reset her mind, inner ear balance and eyes to work together. If it works maybe we can hit the highway again.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot

    ReplyDelete
  11. GIRLZ LIKE GUYS WITH SHINY WHEELS
    HUGS MADI YOUR BFFF

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a cool ride! It seats so many people that it would make a great family car. I love the blind spot technology. That is one of the scary things when driving.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks like an awesome car Oz! I bet it made your adventure even more exciting and comfortable.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What an awesome ride Oz! We think we will head on over to our local Mazda Dealer!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! i am loving this ride!!!! I can imagine the adventures it could take us on!!!! Love this!!!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great review Oz! We didn't know there was 3 rows in that vehicle so we learned something new!

    ReplyDelete
  17. We had a Mazda car years ago and I loved it. We don't have a dealership in our area now though! I'll be in the market for a new SUV in the spring and I just might look at this one though, even if I have to travel to find it.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier