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2016 Mazda CX-9 spied testing ahead of LA debut

The all-new 2016 Mazda CX-9 has been spied testing in the US, just a few months out from the big family SUV’s global premiere.


The new model, which will replace the recently facelifted first-generation CX-9 now making its eighth tour of the Australian market, is expected to debut at November’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

These photos, published on American website Carscoops, reveal more than a few of the styling cues we'll see on the new CX-9 when it hits markets in 2016.

As expected, the new CX-9 will take its inspiration from the mid-sized CX-5 and the compact CX-3, with the flowing ‘Kodo’ design language stretched across the much larger body of this new family hauler.

Rivalling models like the big Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder, the 2016 CX-9 will again feature a seven-seat layout, although we might expect this new model to offer greater space in the third row than the current model.

And, despite the efforts of Mazda’s CX-9 development team to disguise the fact with this spied prototype, we can expect a larger rear-quarter window than the small triangle shown here. Our tip: watch for the CX-3’s wraparound design to feature.

Above: Mazda's popular new CX-3 compact SUV.

As for powertrains, a CarAdvice interview with Mazda marketing chief Masahiro Moro last year suggests the company could look to turbo-charged four-cylinder petrol power as it moves away from the current model’s Ford-derived V6 engine.

Mazda has yet to confirm details on that front, but it appears diesel, at least, is unlikely to appear.

“With the CX-9, the main market is the USA. In general, these customers don’t have a strong preference towards diesel engines. So probably the main engine should be a petrol engine in my opinion,” Moro said.

Above: the current Mazda CX-9, which launched in 2007.

Watch for the new CX-9 to make its debut in November, with an Australian launch likely to occur in the first half of 2016.

Thanks to CarAdvice reader Miles for the tip. Got one of your own? Email us here.

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