

While that effect is great for exterior design, I found that this eye-catching element actually detracted from the driving experience. They also force the eye down the CX-7’s side profile to the tapered rear windows, which narrow considerably at the rear. The front wheels are topped by exaggerated fenders that remind me of Mazda’s RX-8 sports car. Onlookers are confronted with a menacing face and blacked-out grille, all pulled together by a very, very large Mazda emblem. There is no understating the looks of the CX-7 it’s a bold design statement all around. Mazda comes on the scene with one of the best-looking, best-performing crossovers I’ve tested to date, and it does so at a mid-$20,000 price point. Built primarily on car frames, crossovers - predictably - offer a more carlike ride than earlier, truck-based SUVs. However, if maximum passenger and cargo space, along with the most USB ports, are priorities, then the Chevrolet Traverse is your winner here.Automakers are stemming the tide of anti-SUV sentiment with a new type of family vehicle: the crossover. If you want to drive, then you’ll want the CX-9. They’ve also given it great looks, a premium interior and loads of modern safety features even on lower trims.Ĭhevrolet’s target with the Traverse was keeping passengers comfortable and connected. Mazda set out to make a midsize crossover that was fun to drive, and they’ve accomplished that. Mazda CX-9 vs Chevrolet Traverse: The Verdict The Traverse does offer a rear camera mirror system on LT leather and above that uses a high-definition camera with a screen in the rear view mirror that lets you see much more of what’s behind you. Collision-avoidance braking is only on High Country trims. Forward-collision alert and lane-keeping assist are only on Premier and above.

On the Traverse, blind-spot alerts and cross-traffic warnings are only an option starting with LT. Touring adds lane keeping and lane-departure warnings, with Grand Touring and Signature offering radar cruise control. The base CX-9 has blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts and low-speed emergency-braking assist. When it comes to active safety, the CX-9 gives more features on lower trims. Same goes on back roads, where the CX-9 isn’t quite a sports car, but still feels very capable and perfectly happy to be tossed around.

The same big dips are absorbed by the suspension, and you won’t find yourself waiting for it to settle. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 feels more buttoned-down than some large sedans. Hit a large dip or bump on the highway and it will still make an exaggerated up and down motion every time. If the roads get twisty though, the Traverse’s size shows through and it rolls heavily. On the road, the Chevrolet Traverse rides comfortably and handles easy curves well.
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The Traverse comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, while Mazda doesn’t offer these features any more. It uses the last-generation version of Chevrolet’s MyLink software, but it is still easy to use. Unlike Mazda’s, which protrudes from the dash, Chevy’s screen is in the center stack and can actually open up to add an extra storage space (complete with USB). The Traverse also uses a 7.0- or 8.0-inch screen, depending on trim.
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It’s fast and straightforward to use and takes full advantage of the rotary controller mounted in the center console. The CX-9 gets Mazda’s intuitive system that uses a 7.0-inch (on base models) or 8.0-inch screen. Mazda CX-9 vs Chevrolet Traverse: Infotainment Systemsīoth of these use excellent infotainment systems. If space is the deciding priority, the Traverse wins hands down. It lacks legroom and headroom in the third row. So that means if you want to take seven people with you, at least three of them had better be small. Mazda also upgraded cabin materials, and this cabin feels very premium for the class, especially in Signature trim.īut this is a smaller SUV than the Traverse.
