Should You Take the Mazda CX-9 Off Road?

The Mazda CX-9 is a modern SUV classic, built to withstand off-road challenges and city driving alike.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Mazda CX-9 has been an SUV mainstay since 2007, and its most recent iteration can tackle all the challenges your family camping trip has to throw at you. Its turbocharged I4 engine can pump out 250 horsepower with premium fuel, and it has an adequate minimum ground clearance of 8.8 inches.
New for 2022, the I-Activ all-wheel drive system is standard for the CX-9, making the standard model all the more capable.
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Can the CX-9 go off road?

Yes, the Mazda CX-9 can handle some light off-roading. Its AWD system is state-of-the-art, with an automatically adjusting center differential that combats slippage. It’s also
on-demand AWD
, meaning that it can switch to 2WD when AWD isn’t needed to save fuel.
While it’s definitely not an SUV intended for consistent off-road trail-riding, the Mazda CX-9 is more than capable of getting you out of tough terrain, using features like traction assist and top-of-the-line all-terrain tires.
What else makes the Mazda CX9 as capable as it is for off-roading? Let’s check it out!

Ground clearance

The lowest point on the Mazda CX-9’s chassis sits 8.8 inches above the ground. That’s plenty of clearance for terrain, but not enough for the most challenging off-road trails—especially considering its length.
Driving experts recommend between 8.8 and 10.8 inches of minimum ground clearance for off-road driving, meaning that the CX-9 just makes it to an acceptable grade for
ground clearance
. If it were a shorter vehicle, a lower ground clearance would be more acceptable, as it would reduce the chance of high-centering the vehicle.

Torque

The Mazda CX-9’s I4 engine may not be the most powerful SUV engine available, but one thing is for sure: it can produce a fantastic amount of low-end torque. It maxes out at 310 pound-feet at 2,000 rpm, meaning that your CX-9 can push itself through considerably rough terrain with high power at low revs.

Tires

While the engine and drivetrain play a significant part in contributing to your vehicle’s overall traction, a good engine needs good tires that can efficiently transfer the energy from the wheels to the ground.
A 2022 CX-9 has 18-inch wheels with P255/60HR18 tires. Upgraded 20-inch alloy wheels are available for the Touring Plus trim. Mazda outfits their new vehicles with top-of-the-line tires, but it’s important to be aware that smaller wheels are often better for off-roading since they put less pressure on the engine.

Drivetrain

The CX-9’s AWD drivetrain is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, fed through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While its horsepower output doesn’t measure up to V6 competitors, you’ll find the CX-9 still plenty powerful, all while saving you money on gas.
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Angles

It’s possible that you’ve never thought about angles when it comes to your vehicle’s performance specs, but if you’re talking about off-roading, it’s important to be aware of approach and departure angles. Before we continue, let’s define those terms:
  • Approach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference 
  • Departure angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
With an approach angle of only 16 degrees and a departure angle of only 21.1 degrees, the Mazda CX-9 underperforms in this category compared to its competitors. That means it could lose control on slopes where most SUVs would be fine.

Off-road rating: Rough and Ready

And with that, we’ve come to the defining moment—the announcement of the Mazda CX-9’s off-road capability rating, based on
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT grad system.
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 gets an above-average R rating. It’s definitely no off-roading mainstay, but it is a super reliable SUV, perfect for family camping trips. And with a starting MSRP of $35,280, it’s a whole lot of sport utility value.

The best off-road alternatives to the Mazda CX-9

If you’re not fully sold on the CX-9, we’ve rounded up some alternatives you might prefer.
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2005 Nissan Frontier 4x4
$2,000
Want something cheap? The Frontier 4x4 is a top-notch affordable off-road classic.
Best eco-friendly alternative
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
$27,400
One of most fuel-efficient off-roaders money can buy
Best alternative for serious off-roading
2022 Ram 1500 Rebel
$47,850
If pure off-road capability is what you want, the Rebel is the way to go.
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

You may have already tried to take your Mazda CX-9 on some sketchy country roads, and chances are it performed quite well. But if you’re just learning about your SUV’s rough-and-ready capabilities now, slow down, Magellan. You might want to check your
car insurance
policy before you go rushing off onto dangerous mountain roads.
And it just so happens that you’re already in the perfect place online to find the best car insurance coverage at the very best prices available to you, using
Jerry
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