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The 2023 Mazda CX-9 comes in five different trim levels. It ranges from $38,750-$48,460. Which CX-9 trim is the best for the money?

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 Touring provides great value for an affordable price

A gray 2023 Mazda CX-9 midsize SUV is driving on the road.
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 | Mazda

The Mazda CX-9 Touring is the CX-9’s base trim. The 2023 Mazda CX-9 Touring starts at $38,750. It’s pricier than many rivals like the 2023 Kia Telluride, but the CX-9 Touring includes some great standard features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 Touring features standard Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go. This feature allows drivers to monitor as the CX-9 adapts to the flow of traffic. Radar Cruise Control with Stop and Go is especially useful when driving long distances in moderate traffic. It’s one of the CX-9 Touring’s many advanced driver assistance and safety features that make driving easier and more enjoyable.

The CX-9 also comes standard with all-wheel drive. Adding all-wheel drive to a midsize SUV can easily cost consumers over $1,000, so standard AWD makes the 2023 Mazda CX-9’s starting price seem more reasonable. It also comes standard with keyless entry, leather-trimmed seats, and heated side mirrors. Car and Driver recommends the Touring over other trim levels.

Mazda’s midsize SUV comes with premium standard features for an affordable price. The Japanese automaker is known for producing some of the most refined SUVs on the market. Models like the CX-5 and CX-30 are making a huge splash.

What’s the best Mazda CX-9 trim?

A gray 2023 Mazda CX-9 midsize SUV is parked.
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 | Mazda

The best Mazda CX-9 trim costs a pretty penny, but its value proposition is impressive. The 2023 Mazda CX-9 Signature comes with standard Nappa-leather-trimmed seats, a 360-view monitor, and a hands-free rear power liftgate. It also includes heated front and second-row seats and a power sliding-glass moonroof.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 Signature starts at $48,460. Its features make it nearly indistinguishable from a luxury midsize SUV. The CX-9 Signature is the best Mazda CX-9 trim because it’s loaded with the most standard features. That being said, most drivers will choose the Touring model over the Signature because it’s significantly more affordable.

Mazda will add a new midsize SUV to its portfolio, the CX-90. It’s unclear whether or not the CX-90 will replace the CX-9, but the latter has certainly made an impact on the segment. The CX-90 is expected to be larger, pricier, and even more luxurious.

What is the CX-9’s greatest rival?

A white 2023 Mazda CX-9 midsize SUV is parked.
The 2023 Mazda CX-9 | Mazda

The Kia Telluride has been the midsize SUV to beat since it debuted back in 2019 as a 2020 model year. The Hyundai Palisade, the Telluride’s South Korean cousin, is also one of the best midsize SUVs on the market. The Chevrolet Traverse and Honda Passport also do well in midsize SUV ratings.

The 2023 Mazda CX-9 is best-suited for drivers with a taste for the finer things. It’s great for traveling with a small group of friends or family members in style. Will the CX-90 provide even more value when it finally arrives?