Hi Everyone,

I just got hired at a new company that provides a work vehicle as my daily and my two options are either a cx-5 or a cx-9, not sure on the trims at this point but seeing as it’s a provided car I assume bottom or near bottom trims so my guess would be a '21 or '22 sport or touring for both.

A few notes:

• A lot of my driving will be in city like settings (territory is northern Virginia and DC) - will the size of the 9 be a pain?
• My last 3 vehicles have been fun to drive cars (V8, turbo 5cyl manual, V6 vtech manual) so will the base 2.5 in the 5 take the joy out of driving?
• I am 6'5" 240lbs - is there a significant difference in driver seat room between the two? Interior dimensions don’t show that much of a difference.
• No kids so 3rd row in the 9 will always be down anyway.

Let's hear it! Thanks in advance

 

CX-9 is turbo powered. Also its not that much bigger than the CX-5.

 

The standard engine on the CX9 is a turbo and will be closer to your previous car experience with its ample torque. The motor runs out of breath at high speed acceleration, but you won’t be able to do this much any way with the road conditions

6’5 is tall. I would try both and you may find the CX5 is tight.

the CX9 is no Suburban or Tahoe so should be ok in the DMV. Garages being what they are in DC, it will be difficult even with the CX5

 

I like your company. I'd do the CX9.

 

Thanks for all the input.

I should of clarified that I'm familiar with the turbo coming standard in the cx-9, I was looking for input more on interior, features, and other differences between the two. Also if I am able to get a higher trim on the cx-5 with the turbo, does that sway anyone's opinions?

 

If it is a '21 CX-5, then because of the seat comfort, I would go for the CX-9.

 

Awesome, thanks again everyone. I'm sure i'll be back on here once I get the car!

 

For reference:

CX-9 owners manual:
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ers-manual.pdf

CX-5 owners manual:
https://www.mazdausa.com/siteassets/...ers-manual.pdf


It'll be larger, yes. And it'll impact driveability in tight spaces, to a degree, more than the CX-5 ever would. But it's not hugely larger.

Dimensions:
CX-5 -- length 179.1"; width 72.4"; height 65.9"; wheelbase 106.2"; track 62.8"; turning radius 18.0'; passenger volume 103.6 cu.ft.
CX-9 -- length 199.8"; width 77.5"; height 77.5"; wheelbase 115.3"; track 65.3"; turning radius 19.4'; passenger volume 135.1 cu.ft.

I see a number of CX-9's around where I live. Some country and city roads are a little tighter than normal, but the CX-9's seem to get around fine. The turning radius difference is noticeable, with entry/exit in parking lot spaces, and the extra five inches of width does take up more space in those spaces and narrower lanes. It is 20" longer than the CX-5, too, which doesn't help in those tighter spaces.

The CX-5 and CX-9 seem similar, in terms of seating height and seat adjustability.

I've got a 2016 vintage CX-5 GT AWD. To me, the CX-9 feels a little larger inside, but in terms of seating height and elbow room it's much the same as the CX-5.

I'm very long-waisted, so I sit tall on any seat. (About as tall as the average 6'3" person might sit, more or less.) At least with the electric-adjustable driver's seat in the CX-5, there's plenty of height in the cabin. Just set the seat low enough, then adjust the telescoping steering column. The CX-9 is similar (have test-driven).

The CX-9 has ~30% greater interior passenger volume. With both the 3rd row and 2nd row seats lowered, there's a decent amount of carrying space back there. (The Chevy Tahoe, for example, is another 30% larger than the CX-9, in terms of interior passenger volume.)

Sounds like the turbo CX-9 would suit you fine. Good space for carrying things, not too large to become unwieldly, zippy enough to be relatively fun to drive, comfortable interior, moderately good fuel economy, for vehicles large enough to haul amounts of stuff inside. The CX-9 also has a modest towing capacity of 3500lbs, as compared to the CX-5's 2000lbs.