2020 Mazda CX-9 vs 2020 Nissan Pathfinder

With Mazda being named “Best Car Brand” for 2020 by US World News, interest in the company is high. Considering that Mazda has earned the accolade five consecutive times, that interest is well deserved. So, what makes them better than other automakers?

Well, let’s take a look. Today we’ll compare the 2020 Mazda CX-9 and the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder.

New Three-Row SUV near Milwaukee

Impressive Drivability

Mazda is known for making exceptionally drivable vehicles. Despite its size, the 2020 CX-9 has excellent handling, steering, braking, and acceleration. The 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pairs well with the silky smooth six-speed automatic. Power is always there when you call for it without massive turbo lag or reluctant downshifting. The extra two cylinders and liter of displacement give the Pathfinder considerably more horsepower but much less torque. The extra ponies don’t translate into better performance, as the Pathfinder has slow acceleration and an unwilling transmission. The Pathfinder feels bulky, mostly thanks to its heavy steering feel. The 20-inch wheels on the Pathfinder Platinum don’t do the ride quality any favors. The CX-9 wins easily.

Innovative Tech Features

The CX-9 Signature is fully loaded with great features. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, a premium Bose stereo system, six USB charging ports, integrated navigation, surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, automatic windshield wipers, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive front lighting. Safety features are just as plentiful, with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. The Pathinder Platinum has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the base trims don’t. The infotainment system feels slow, clunky, and generally out-of-date. Even with the Platinum trim, don’t expect things like automatic windshield wipers or a power liftgate.

Interested in the 2020 Mazda CX-9? Come test drive one at Hall Mazda near Milwaukee.