Mazda CX-9 2021 review: Azami snapshot

The seven-seat Azami is the flagship grade in the Mazda CX-9 range, with it sitting above the GT and priced from $66,190 plus on-road costs with front-wheel drive, or $70,625 with all-wheel drive.

Standard equipment includes dusk-sensing adaptive LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, Bright 20-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power-operated tailgate, a sunroof, keyless entry, push-button start, paddle-shifters, a 9.0-inch central display, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a head-up display, a 7.0-inch multifunction display, a wireless smartphone charger, three-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats with heating, heated outboard rear seats and 'Pure White' or 'Walnut Brown' quilted Nappa leather upholstery.

New for 2021 is the Azami-based Azami LE AWD six-seater, which replaces the middle bench with two power-adjustable captain’s chairs with heating and cooling plus a dedicated centre console for $3250 more.

Explore the 2021 Mazda CX-9 range

• Mazda CX-9 2021 review
• Mazda CX-9 2021 review: Sport snapshot
• Mazda CX-9 2021 review: Touring snapshot
• Mazda CX-9 2021 review: GT Snapshot
• Mazda CX-9 2021 review: Azami snapshot
• Mazda CX-9 2021 review: GT SP
• Mazda CX-9 2021 review: Azami LE

ANCAP awarded the CX-9 its maximum five-star safety rating in 2016. Advanced driver-assist systems in the Azami extend to front and rear autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, traffic sign recognition, high-beam assist, driver attention alert, surround-view cameras and front and rear parking sensors.

All grades are powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which produces 170kW of power and 420Nm of torque. With a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission as standard, Mazda claims the CX-9 consumes 91 RON petrol at 8.4L/100km (FWD) or 9.0L/100km (AWD) during a combination of urban and highway driving.