Mazda CX-9 vs. Nissan Murano

[summer22]

Ok, in my opinion, 2 of the most eye-catching SUV's on the road... what do you think? Which one's better?

[HyBrideVo]

CX9 :thumbup:

btw, add a poll ;)

[bayonic]

with the current models available locally ... it's CX9 for external styling and 7 seats ...but it's close

with the 2009 Murano .... hmmmm .... thats another story

[chad777]

2008 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year Winner: Mazda CX-9

Built to the 9s: With two helpings of sport and a healthy dose of utility, the Mazda CX-9 outperforms this year's field
By Ron Kiino
Photography by Evan Klein


You've heard Mazda's marketing spiel before. From "Zoom-Zoom" to the "Soul of a Sports Car," the brand's ad gurus have pushed harder than starving telemarketers to convince shoppers that Mazda's cars and trucks are sportier and more fun to drive than the competitions'.



Generally, those slogans hold true, as Mazda's vehicles-from the rotary-powered RX-8 and the exuberant MX-5 to the minivan-esque Mazda5 and the rakish CX-7-indeed deliver quick, agile (okay, zoomy) sensations that are akin to, well, a sports car. As the only Japanese car company to ever win the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, Mazda knows a thing or two about sports-car DNA and, more important, how to inject it into just about everything it slaps the winged badge on.
But could Mazda really inject that DNA into its first-ever three-row, largest-in-the-lineup crossover? Well, after three days of testing 11 vehicles at the dragstrip and skidpad, in and around greater Los Angeles, and on the twisty, high-elevation roads that squiggle through the mountain town of Lake Arrowhead, we're here to report that the CX-9 is not only Mazda's finest demonstration of infusing sports-car qualities into an SUV, but also Motor Trend's 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year.
As the saying goes, it's all in the details, and that's where the CX-9's sporty personality shines. Slide behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel and into the nicely bolstered bucket, and you're treated to one of the most comfortable, driver-focused seating positions available, not just in an SUV but in any vehicle. Whether you're five-two or six-two, finding that perfect spot is a snap: Simply fine-tune the driver's seat that power-adjusts in eight ways (standard on Touring and Grand Touring trims), tweak the steering column that modifies for reach and rake, and the result is nest nirvana: The pedals seem to welcome the balls of your feet; the RX-8-size steering wheel, with audio and cruise controls, appears to come right to your hands; and the stylish T-shaped dash, with its large, metal-rimmed gauges and simple but elegant center stack, delights aesthetically and ergonomically. The cabin, which, on our Grand Touring tester, is adorned with rich plastics, faux wood, and two-tone leather, not to mention calming indirect blue lighting and a pleasing mix of horizontal and vertical elements, manages to feel enveloping yet still plenty airy, an uncanny combination unmatched by this year's competitors.
The exterior details exude sport as well, and when looking at the CX-9, certainly with the GT's polished, 20-inch alloy wheels (18s are standard on Sport and Touring trims), it's hard not to feel racy. From the steeply angled windshield and sharp fender flares to the slanted headlamps and the distinct trapezoidal chrome exhaust tips, the CX-9 puts a spin on the traditional two-box sport 'ute and punts it into orbit. While arguably not as bold as the bigger and bulgier Enclave, the CX-9 nevertheless makes the class-competing Highlander, Tribeca, and Veracruz appear conventional and unexciting by comparison. A 12/10ths-scale CX-7 only done better, the CX-9 is sleek and elegant, sporty and sophisticated, an SUV seemingly well suited for going to the mountains, midtown, or the market.

[gr8twyt]

Nissan Murano is no competition against the CX-9 because it's only a mid-sized crossover built on an Altima frame. The CX-9 however is a full-sized crossover, totally different category.
Plus with the Motor Trend 2008 Sport Utility of the Year Award, hands down 9 is the clear choice.

[barracudaxxx]

Mazda CX-9 gets my vote! I love the white color....

[simply_louie]

This may be sooo late, but since the threads were circa 2008, I was just wondering if it still holds true: the CX-9 over the Murano? Mas maganda kasi ang dating ng Murano sa akin, eh.

[foresterx]

+1 for cx-9, the cx-7 and cx-9 is the best looking asian suv for me.

[tidus1203]

The Murano looks more luxurious... Parang halong sports car and CUV... Pero CX-9 is more practical? A question mark kasi how could a gas guzzler be practical?

[Starex_Gold]

Mazda CX-9 FTW!! :clap:

Yung Murano may dating kahit papano.

Kaso natawa ako sa Panoramic sunroof niya, ang liit

[JPG111]

CX-9 :thumbup: fell in love when i drove this i like everything about it

[niky]

Facelifted CX9 rocks and its cheaper than the Murano. The CX9 is big inside. But the car shrinks around you when you drive. Its got enough grunt not to be embarassed and will certainly destroy the Truck Based Fortuners and Monteros in speed, acceleration, handling, etc. Your wallet will also be destroyed by the gas consumption 4km/liter.

Im not too happy with the manual mode of the tranny. When you downshift and rev hard, the tranny should shift to the next higher gear when the engine reaches the redline INSTEAD of bouncing of the rev limiter. I hate it. Really do. Has to be experienced to understand what Im saying. Its very distracting to use the manual mode of this car and if you leave it on full auto the car is more tame trying to save gas. And it doesnt have paddle shifters..........

Its not new anymore but its still a head turner. Of course
when the new Explorer 2011 comes out....... that would be a different story!

Actually, banging off the redline at least means the manual mode is giving you as much control as possible. I like it when my manual downshifts for me (only if the revs get too low) but doesn't upshift. Gives me more control for track attack.

And with the CX9, you can actually imagine doing track attacks... silly though the idea may be.

[niky]

I agree on the downshift part when the revs get too low. But in this particular case for the upshifts naman, when it bangs against the redline, the engine suddenly drops about 500 rpm. This is disconcerting and the car starts to jerk and it feels like engine braking (not breaking hehe). then when you upshift, the tranny takes a second or so to upshift so its not so nice.

Anticipation lang siguro. But that's one of the reasons why I let the transmission shift when I do acceleration tests on automatics... usually the transmission will shift at the proper shift point, even when it's not redline (important on diesels)... whereas almost all of them will balk if you try to manually shift near redline and come out slower.

[GTi]

Mazda CX-9 between the two, due to better looks and added hp. But if I can have other choices, I'd get the Hyundai Veracruz, which, being a diesel, has better fuel economy and performance. Besides, AFAIK the CX-9 has a ratty 180km/h speed limiter... What's the use of V6 power with that? Are they gonna use S-rated tires?

[niky]

Mazda CX-9 between the two, due to better looks and added hp. But if I can have other choices, I'd get the Hyundai Veracruz, which, being a diesel, has better fuel economy and performance. Besides, AFAIK the CX-9 has a ratty 180km/h speed limiter... What's the use of V6 power with that? Are they gonna use S-rated tires?

I'd rather be doing 180 km/h in a truck that can handle 240 km/h than 200+ km/h in a truck that feels wallowy and tippy at just 140.

Not that the Veracruz is a bad truck, mind you. The toys and kit you get are great.... but it's not a truck I'd buy for the performance. Wallowy handling, clumsy steering, shift-lag, turbo-lag and ramp-up and wooden brakes. It's more of a cruiser than a high-performance SUV.

The CX9, on the other hand, was built to go fast.

[boybi]

So the CX9 is speed limited to just 180kph, no wonder I can't get past 180kph on my CX7, it must be the speed limiter also.

[GTi]

I'd rather be doing 180 km/h in a truck that can handle 240 km/h than 200+ km/h in a truck that feels wallowy and tippy at just 140.

Not that the Veracruz is a bad truck, mind you. The toys and kit you get are great.... but it's not a truck I'd buy for the performance. Wallowy handling, clumsy steering, shift-lag, turbo-lag and ramp-up and wooden brakes. It's more of a cruiser than a high-performance SUV.

The CX9, on the other hand, was built to go fast.

Never knew the Veracruz was THAT bad. But then, it's the only one in its segment, besides the Europeans, whose FC won't sting the wallet. Has anyone ever succeeded in removing the CX-9's limiter? And now, how does the Kia Mohave stack up?

[niky]

Never knew the Veracruz was THAT bad. But then, it's the only one in its segment, besides the Europeans, whose FC won't sting the wallet. Has anyone ever succeeded in removing the CX-9's limiter? And now, how does the Kia Mohave stack up?

The VC is better than other full-sized crossovers thanks to its diesel, but we still averaged around 8.5 km/l in highway driving. Even though it's a diesel, it's still a.) a huge, heavy car, and b.) very powerful (more power=more fuel).

That's a lot better than the 7 km/l we got out of the CX9, though. From my cousin, even on the NLEX, it's hard to get very far past 7.5 km/l.

Speed limiter = COBB Accessport. Too bad there's no local distributor.