BMW X7 vs Mazda CX-9

What's the difference?

When lined up against its direct rivals, the expensive X7 xDrive40d represents reasonable value for money.

It has a unique and bold look and a sumptuous, visually striking and well-appointed interior that has acres of space for family, friends, or for ferrying frequent flyers to the airport. 

That wallop of performance from the big beefy diesel is the cherry on the top. This is how you do a mid-life update. 

The CX-9 is still a great option for families looking for a large SUV, even if it is starting to show its age as new rivals continue to launch with newer technologies.

That said, the availability of a luxury-focused six-seat configuration (Azami LE AWD) for the first time might be enough to convince some buyers to give it further consideration.

But for others who need the versatility of seven seats, this is still the CX-9 we’ve all come to know and love – but just a little bit better – particularly in its best-selling Azami AWD form.

There’s quite a bit that’s interesting about the X7’s design. Especially looking at it front on.

BMW certainly took a bold step when it introduced its toothy grille design for the X7 and the 4 Series range. 

But the Bavarian brand has made some even braver design moves recently by introducing a blocky front-end with split headlights on its new-gen 7 Series flagship sedan. That look has now found its way onto the face of the updated X7.

As with the 7 Series, it won’t be to everyone’s taste. But you can’t deny it has a lot of presence. 

The tail-lights have been tweaked and look good, but the sheer size of the X7 - it’s 5.2 metres long and 1.8 metres tall - means there’s no disguising the fact that it is a big, boxy SUV.

Inside the update ushers in significant design changes. The old dash and cowl is gone in favour of the ‘Curved Display’ that connects the instrument cluster and multimedia. 

New slimline air vents, LED backlit ‘X7’ graphics on the passenger side of the dash, and a new gear shift toggle that replaces the old shifter elevate the cabin and give it a much more modern vibe than the old X7 - one that’s in keeping with the excellent iX electric SUV.

Given its latest update is relatively minor, the CX-9’s exterior largely looks the same as before, which, depending on your point of view, is a very good thing. As far as we’re concerned, it certainly is.

That said, train-spotters will notice some differences, with the GT SP (new), Azami and Azami LE (new) grades getting a refreshed grille that’s slotted and available in two grade-specific finishes unlike the insert their carryover Sport, Touring and GT siblings still have. 

And aside from the GT SP, Azami and Azami LE’s new sets of 20-inch alloy wheels (again in grade-specific finishes), the only other exterior change is the Azami and Azami LE’s larger-diameter chrome exhaust tailpipe extensions. Sporty!

Inside, the CX-9 has more changes in store, headlined by the new ‘floating’ 10.25-inch central display all but the Sport and Touring get (they stick with 7.0- and 9.0-inch units respectively).

The new set-up is powered by Mazda’s latest multimedia system, which is certainly an improvement over its predecessor, and a much needed one at that.

Worth noting, touch is not an input method, with the rotary controller on the centre console the only option, which is actually great for safety, so we’re all for it.

The Azami and Azami LE also get new quilted Nappa leather upholstery, which looks and feels great, and adds to the overall high-quality theme.

Otherwise, it’s pretty much business as usual, which is great because the CX-9 has always had a well-designed interior. Yep, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Regardless of the price point, a three-row SUV needs to be super practical and capable of family duties. 

And if you want a BMW X5 but need a lot more space, this is the next logical step.

Let’s start in the front row. As mentioned, the new X7 gains the screen and tech set-up from other new BMW models like the iX and updated 3 Series. The Curved Display combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with digital speedo and a 14.9-inch multimedia screen.

You can customise the cluster layout and move things around on the multimedia screen, too. The latter is a touchscreen but you can also find what you need via the 'iDrive' controller in the console.

I have had some experience with this system in the iX and while it’s not without its flaws, it is a top notch system. There’s a lot to wrap your head around, but the use of app icons helps. And you can swipe through to your chosen screen.

It took far too long to work out how to find the trip computer, something that should be much easier to access, as well as a couple of other functions. And the climate controls are housed in the digital screen. I would always prefer a separate space with buttons for air-con.  

But the graphics and displays - including the excellent head-up display - are excellent. 

Other tech you get with the X7 includes the BMW’s 'Digital Key', which is an app that allows iPhone users to lock and unlock their car remotely, and BMW ID driver profile.

If you buy this car, just allow yourself some time to familiarise yourself with all that tech.

Elsewhere up front there’s a lovely new three-spoke steering wheel, and cute touches like the metal air vent toggles, black and metal touches and the choice of inserts.

The front seats are luxurious and comfortable and offer loads of side and thigh support. They have memory functions, too. There’s no shortage of headroom up front, either.

Storage-wise, the door will fit the largest of bottles, as well as other items thanks to generous door bins, while the central lidded box is also sizeable. 

What about that second row?

The X7 xDrive40d usually comes standard with seven seats, but our test car was fitted with the $1500 captain’s chair option which drops seating capacity down to six people.

If you need the extra seating this is not the option for you, but it is great for families with bigger kids, and it would make for an excellent airport transfer car. 

The seats are unbelievably comfortable and can be adjusted to suit your preference. They also have ISOFIX points and armrests. 

Rear seat occupants have access to their own climate controls, air vents, USB ports, cupholders and ample door storage.

There is a massive amount of occupant space as well - stretch those legs out and enjoy it!

One of the X7’s selling points is that it is a genuine three-row SUV. That third row is not just for occasional use for very small children, like so many seven-seat SUVs. That row can be used every day. 

Even with my six foot stature, I could easily climb in and out of the third row. That’s made even easier thanks to the mechanical seat functions.

Just hit the lever at the top of the second row seat and the motor moves the seat forward and up to ensure there’s a big enough aperture to get in and out of the rear seats. 

You can also raise and lower the third row electronically via buttons on the boot wall - and they stow flush into the boot floor. Neat!

Once in the third row, there’s air vents, USB ports, bottle holders and storage and quite comfortable seats with more than enough leg and head room.

There’s even a third row section of the sunroof, operated from the second row. Lots of clever touches that people who use the third row will appreciate.

The boot has a few cool features, too, including a split tailgate.

You can even sit on the lower section - it can handle a load of up to 250kg - a perfect place to sit and watch the polo.

You can lower the suspension to aid loading larger items, and the X7 comes with a space-saver spare wheel.

Capacity is 300 litres with all seats in place, and I easily fit a pair of smaller suitcases in with that configuration. It increases to 2120L with the two rear rows folded. 

Being an SUV that’s 5075mm long, 1969mm wide and 1747mm tall, practicality is arguably the most important thing for the CX-9, and with the option of six seats for the first time with the new Azami LE, it’s even more versatile.

All seven-seat grades have a 60/40 split-fold second row that manually slides and reclines the same as before, with only the Sport missing out on one-touch tumble operation, which makes accessing the 50/50 split-fold third row even easier, even if it’s still not graceful.

But the six-seat Azami LE is configured differently, given its second row has two captain’s chairs instead of a bench. That said, it operates in a very similar manner, just with power adjustment.

I still had around eight centimetres of legroom and four of legroom behind my 184cm (6'0") driving position, while the large transmission tunnel that’s a foot-space issue in seven-seat versions... isn’t.

One key difference with the very roomy and comfortable Azami LE is it only has four top-tether child-seat anchorage points, while all other grades have five thanks to their extra seat. Either way, four ISOFIX child-set anchorage points are split across the second and third rows.

Alternatively, the third row can be used by adults on shorter journeys, although they won’t have a lot of space to enjoy. Again, I'm 184cm tall and it’s tight back there, with no headroom or legroom on offer, but children will, of course, fare much better.

The CX-9’s boot is still pretty usable with all three rows in action, with 230L of cargo capacity available, but you can stow the two rear seats to get 810L in total.

And if you want maximum cargo capacity, the middle seats can also be folded, but not in the Azami LE, annoyingly.

Either way, the CX-9 doesn’t have a load lip but does have a flat floor, so loading bulkier items is a cinch, while two bag hooks and four tie-down points are on hand for securing loose items if they can’t fit in the double map pockets on the front seat backrests.

There are two cupholders in the third row, another two in the second row’s fold-down armrest (seven-seater versions) or large centre console (Azami LE), and another two in the first row’s larger centre console, while the front and rear door bins can also take bottles – and other knick-knacks.

All grades get USB ports in the first row, while the Touring and above also have them in the second row, and the GT and above also feature them in the third row. It’d be nice if there was no differentiation, though.

The CX-9 has become more expensive, with some grades up a little, while others are up a lot. The range now starts from $45,990, plus on-road costs, and reaches $73,875 (see pricing table below), but there is more standard equipment now.

Either way, two new grades have joined the now-comprehensive CX-9 line-up, bringing the total to six, with the new GT SP slotting in above the mid-range GT but below the previously flagship Azami, which is now bettered by the new Azami LE.

The entry-level Sport and Touring round out the line-up, with each grade coming with front-wheel drive as standard, although all-wheel drive is an expensive $4000 option for all but the Azami that instead asks for a $4435 premium, and the Azami LE which gets it as standard.

Features-wise, the Sport gets dusk-sensing LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, a 7.0-inch central display, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a six-speaker sound system, a head-up display, three-zone climate control and black cloth upholstery.

While the Touring has the same 18-inch alloy wheels, it steps up with keyless entry, a 9.0-inch central display, paddle-shifters (new), power-adjustable front seats with heating, and black leather upholstery.

The GT goes even further with 20-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power-operated tailgate, a sunroof, the aforementioned 10.25-inch central display (new), a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a wireless smartphone charger (new) and heated outboard middle seats.

As its name suggests, the new GT SP is the sportier version of the GT, adding a unique black finish to its 20-inch alloy wheels and side-mirror caps as well as burgundy leather upholstery and red stitching for just $500 more.

Meanwhile, the Azami has 20-inch alloy wheels with a bright finish (new) as well as adaptive LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, a 7.0-inch multifunction display, a heated steering wheel and 'Pure White' or 'Walnut Brown' quilted Nappa leather upholstery (new).

And finally, the new Azami LE mimics the Azami but replaces its middle bench with two power-adjustable captain’s chairs with heating and cooling plus a dedicated centre console, so six seats in total instead of the usual seven.

Also of note, the CX-9 has a new metallic paintwork option: 'Polymetal Grey', which helps it stand out from the crowd.

For reference, the CX-9’s rivals include the soon-to-be-replaced Toyota Kluger ($44,850 to $68,574) and the recently launched facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe ($43,990 to $61,660) and new-generation Kia Sorento ($45,850 to $63,070).

2021 Mazda CX-9 pricing before on-road costs

The X7 xDrive40d is powered by a 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, that gets a boost in power - it pumps out 259kW of power and 720Nm of torque - 64kW/100Nm more than the 30d.

It now also comes with 48-volt mild hybrid tech, which uses an electric motor integrated in the eight-speed automatic transmission.

It drives all four wheels via BMW’s 'xDrive' all-wheel drive system and it is fitted with air suspension for a cushy ride. Towing capacity is rated at 3.5 tonnes braked or 750kg unbraked.

If you are keen on off-roading in the X7, it has a 221mm ground clearance, and a fording depth of 500mm, but maybe best to keep it on the tarmac.

All CX-9 grades are powered by a carryover 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which produces 170kW of power at 5000rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

A six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is standard, and again, you get the option of front- or all-wheel drive for all grades but one, the AWD-only Azami LE.

If you’re after a diesel-powered seven-seater, Mazda also has the similarly sized CX-8 in its line-up, but it still doesn’t offer a hybrid option in any of its SUVs, even though many rivals are moving in that direction, including the aforementioned Kluger, Santa Fe and Sorento.

According to BMW, the official combined cycle fuel figure for the X7 40d is 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

Our fuel figure after nearly a week of mixed city, freeway and country driving was 9.0L/100km, which isn’t too far off the mark.

It has an 80 litre fuel tank and an approximate driving range of 1000km.

According to the official combined fuel consumption figures (ADR 81/02), FWD variants of the CX-9 sip 8.4 litres per 100km, which isn’t too bad for a petrol-powered large SUV that weighs just shy of 1900kg. Claimed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are 197 grams per km.

And given they weigh a whisker more than two tonnes, AWD versions of the CX-9s drink a slightly higher 9.0L/100km and emit 211g/km.

We covered 188km in the Azami AWD and Azami LE AWD at the CX-9’s launch and recorded 11.5L/100km after primarily driving on country roads and highways.

While that figure is nearly 30 per cent higher than Mazda's claim, it’s not outlandish considering the type of vehicle the CX-9 is. Either way, results will vary.

For reference, AWD variants have a slightly large fuel tank (74L) than their FWD counterparts (72L), but they all take more affordable 91RON petrol at minimum.

With a big plush SUV like this, you’d expect a comfortable ride. And for the most part, the X7 delivers that, while offering more than a bit of grunt, as well.

The X7’s height ensures a high driving position, and there’s plenty of glass for decent visibility. 

Propelling a 2.5-tonne SUV could be a struggle for a lesser engine, but the meaty diesel offers ample torque and the mild hybrid set-up helps to reduce initial turbo lag significantly - that means it is responsive from a standing start.

I wouldn't have thought a vehicle of this size and shape was capable of a 5.9-second 0-100km/h time, but here we are.

As a result of all that torque and power, overtaking is a breeze - providing there is enough room on the other side of the road for both cars to fit.

That size and heft have an impact on cornering and dynamics. You simply can’t carve through tight corners in this car, but with that said, it’s more entertaining than you’d think. 

Steering feel is weighted on the heavier side and it’s as sharp as it needs to be in a car like this. It would be weird if the steering was too pointy. 

Ride quality is top notch - as it should be - and while the massive optional 23-inch wheels and low profile tyres mean you’ll notice potholes and the like, it largely soaks up imperfections with ease.

That level of refinement extends to the hushed ride, too. The cabin is a quiet and serene place to spend time - but not quite to the same degree as a 7 Series. 

Parking in tight spots is a challenge, and manoeuvring in narrow streets could take a while, too. But you could tell that just by looking at the X7.

As far as large SUVs go, the CX-9 is one of the better ones to drive. It’s certainly not confused; it knows what it needs to do and does it well.

The engine is properly punchy down low, serving up plenty of initial torque, so much so that you rarely need to chase its top-end power. In that way, it’s very diesel-like, despite being petrol. Needless to say, acceleration is surprisingly brisk. Not bad, then!

And the transmission it’s matched to also does its job well. Gear changes are pleasingly smooth, if not quick, while it's receptive to heavy applications of the accelerator, kicking down a ratio or two with little hesitation. Yep, don’t bother with its Sport mode.

The CX-9 also rides pretty well thanks to its independent suspension set-up, which consists of MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear axles with passive dampers. Indeed, the kids aren’t going to be upset when they’re onboard.

Again, we mainly drove on country roads and highways, but it proved to be comfortable, particularly at high speed. And even during those rare, in-town, low-speed moments, it still impressed, on lower-quality roads or not.

And while the CX-9’s electric power steering is well-weighted, some buyers might be left wishing it was a tad lighter, especially when parking, but that’s more about personal preference than anything else.

What is more universal, though, is the system’s lack of feel. Obviously, we’re not dealing with a sports car here, but a little communication through the wheel wouldn’t go astray, particularly on a twisty road.

Speaking of which, the CX-9 handles its mass pretty confidently around a corner. That said, while it is relatively tied down, it still regularly exhibits a fair degree of body roll to remind you that you’re dealing with a large SUV.

ANCAP awarded the CX-9 its maximum five-star safety rating in 2016, and despite the test occurring nearly five years ago, its results still stand.

Needless to say, the game has moved on, with the Santa Fe and Sorento recently resetting the standard, while the Kluger is soon to follow suit.

The CX-9 does, however, get front and side airbags as well as curtain airbags that cover all three rows, whereas the Santa Fe and Sorento only cover the first and second rows.

All grades of the CX-9 also get 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 and driver attention alert.

A reversing camera and rear parking sensors are also standard in all grades, but the Touring and above add front parking sensors, while the Azami and Azami LE also get surround-view cameras.

After copping a bit of flack from motoring media and buyers, BMW finally increased its warranty terms last year from three years to an industry standard five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty on its vehicles, including the X7.

Rather than a set servicing schedule, BMW offers condition-based servicing which is when the vehicle’s computer alerts the owner that it requires a service. 

BMW doesn’t offer capped-price servicing, but does have a pre-paid 'Service Inclusive Package' with terms ranging from three years/40,000km to five years/80,000km and beyond. 

A five-year basic package for the X7 costs $2800, which is not too bad considering the positioning of this model.

As with all Mazda models, the CX-9 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assistance, both of which are average when compared to Kia’s market-leading seven-year terms with ‘no strings attached’.

Service intervals are 12 months or 10,000km, with the distance on the shorter side, although capped-price servicing is available for the first five visits, costing $2022 in total at the time of the writing, which is very reasonable.