carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $25,460–$31,512 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2016 Mazda CX-9 at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.9/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.9/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 7.9/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.8/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.3/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $25,460–$31,512, 19 MPG, seating 7, the Mazda CX-9 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 7.7/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2016 Mazda CX-9 is a solid, well-rounded suv that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Mazda CX-9 ranks #947 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 61% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $25,460 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 29%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Across the CX-9 model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.9/10 | $32,495 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $32,495 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $31,490 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $30,485 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $29,480 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $28,475 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $27,470 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $26,465 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $25,460 | |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $24,455 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Mazda CX-9's reliability 7.9/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #947 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 61% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Mazda CX-9 starts at $25,460 and ranges up to $31,512 across trims (MSRP when new). At 19 MPG, expect roughly $2,763/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
