The Mazda CX-9 gripped the entire automotive industry when it was first introduced to the market back in 2007. With its subtle, minimal, and muscular design, the CX-9 offers an all-around premium experience at an affordable and approachable cost. But in the competitive mid-size SUV segment, competition is always around the corner, and the Honda Pilot is one of them. Let’s see what makes the 2021 CX-9 a more preferable option compared to the 4Runner.
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is available in five trims – Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, and Signature. For the 2021 model year, the CX-9 receives a host of updates like a new updated 10.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless smartphone charging pad standard on the Touring, Grand Touring, and Signature trims, a new Carbon Edition package available for the Grand Touring variant, new paddle shifters and an improved exterior camera system for the Grand Touring and Signature trims and added standard equipment for the Signature trim. Looking to upgrade to the new 2021 Mazda CX-9? Contact us today to know more.
2021 Mazda CX-9 |
vs |
2021 Honda Pilot |
2.5-liter Turbocharged Inline-Four Cylinder |
Engine |
3.5-liter V-6 |
227 hp / 310 ft-lbs. |
Horsepower / Torque |
280 hp / 262 ft-lbs. |
7 | Seating Capacity |
8 |
3,500 lbs. |
Towing Capacity (Pounds) |
3,500 lbs. |
14.4 cu. ft. | Cargo Capacity (Cubic Feet) | 16.5 cu. ft. |
The Honda Pilot sure does offer a lot more power compared to the Mazda CX-9. But let’s not forget that the CX-9 offers more torque output compared to the 2021 Pilot. This helps the CX-9 offer a steady punch of power across the rev band making the driving experience more involving. Not to forget the CX-9 is capable of producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with the use of 93-octane premium fuel. The CX-9’s six-speed automatic transmission works like a charm, and it is just as responsive on corners as on straight stretches.
Coming to features, the 2021 CX-9 offers a wide array of features on offer as standard, such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, HD Radio™, six-speaker sound system, and 2 USB Audio input, to name some of them. All these features can be controlled through the CX-9’s 10.25-inch touchscreen display that can be controlled either with touch inputs, a controller knob placed on the center console or through voice command. While a lot of these features are also offered in the Pilot, it is the fit-and-finish, quality, and fluidity of the CX-9’s infotainment system are what make it better.
Safety features are paramount, and the CX-9 is packed with an impressive list of them to ensure safety and security for all its occupants. Features like Dynamic Stability Control, Hill Launch Assist, Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-keep Assist are some of the many features offered and this makes the 2021 Mazda CX-9 an action-packed SUV. And while it is acceptable that the Honda Pilot also offers a lot of these features, it is the quality and minimalistic approach of the CX-9 that makes it a more handsome, potent, and interesting SUV of the two.