Mazda CX-9 – Buglewicz’s Opinion:
Ford really needs to take a closer look at how its Mazda subsidiary does things. Drive the CX-9 and Lincoln MKX that was in our offices at the same time back to back and you’d never know they were related under the skin. I’d much rather spend my time and money on this Mazda. At $40,000 it’s not cheap, but the CX-9’s mostly high-quality interior appointments and superior driving experience make it much more satisfying than its Ford-branded brethren. Like many crossovers, making the body stiff results in thick, view-obstructing rear pillars. The structurally similar MKX has the same problem, but CX-9 uses a backup camera to help reversing, a feature not even available on Mazda’s supposedly premium Lincoln cousin.

Keith Buglewicz