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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $29,480–$38,607 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2020 Mazda CX-9 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.4/10, while Performance at 7.1/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.4/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $29,480–$38,607, 23 MPG, seating 7, the Mazda CX-9 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.8/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2020 Mazda CX-9 will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
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 2020 Mazda CX-9 ranks #428 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 83% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $29,480 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 18%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Mazda CX-9 scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.8 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $29,480 | |
| 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 | 7.5/10 | $25,460 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $24,455 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seats / Mid/rear assembly 27/09/2021 · 21V750000 | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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Explore the full lineup of Mazda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
