Parents Magazine Names Mazda CX-9 one of the Best Family Cars of 2021

Parents Magazine has released their annual Parents’ Best Family Cars Shopping Guide and the 2021 Mazda CX-9 made the list!

Editors at Parents Magazine tested each vehicle and considered safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety when making their choices. Parents automotive expert and dad, Rob Stumpf, test-drove 35 semifinalists to help make the list of winners.

The Mazda CX-9’s drive performance, car-seat space, and interior updates helped it make the list. “The brake pedal is soft at slow speeds and firm when it needs to be, easily modulating just how much power you need to stop,” Stumpf says. Its four-cylinder engine supplies ample power and saves gas.

For car-seats, you can fit two in both the first and second rows. The interior was updated last year with santos and rosewood inlays along with quilting on the first and second row seats for a more luxurious feel. The CX-9’s second and third row can be folded easily and quickly for more cargo space. A 10.3-inch infotainment screen now comes standard in the CX-9 along with a 7-inch gauge display!

The CX-9 was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS and was given a 5-Star Rating from NHTAS. Notable standard safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

According to Car and Driver, of the CX-9’s four trim levels, the Touring model represents the best value. It offers plenty of niceties, including a power-operated rear liftgate, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and keyless entry with push-button start.