2016 Mazda CX-9 pricing revealed for Australia

Mazda Australia released a first taster of local details for its new-generation seven-seat SUV in April this year, which was followed by a second helping in May. Not long after, a dealer bulletin listing indicative drive-away pricing and features also surfaced.

Today, the Japanese car maker has confirmed a starting price of $42,490 plus on-road costs for the new 2016 CX-9, which marks a $1280 reduction on the outgoing model's current starting price, but also a $2035 drop when compared to the late 2012 launch pricing of the current facelifted first-generation CX-9.

Other models in the range will include the $48,890 CX-9 Touring, the $57,390 CX-9 GT and the top-shelf $59,390 CX-9 Azami. Front- and all-wheel-drive will be offered across the range, with the latter option adding $4000 to the price of each model.

These official prices point to an improvement on previous indicative numbers, with a leaked document last week listing drive-away figures that suggested starting prices of around $45,000, $52,500, $60,500 and $63,500 respectively, before on-road costs.

As revealed at its international unveiling, the new CX-9 is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, offering 170kW of power at 5000rpm and 420Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

MORE: listen to the CarAdvice team talk about the new CX-9

Running a high 10.5:1 compression ratio, the new CX-9 benefits from a dual-valve "Dynamic Pressure Turbo" that generates power more quickly, along with a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system designed to lower engine temperatures without having to add extra fuel.

Thanks in part to the use of its i-stop and i-ELOOP fuel-saving systems, Mazda claims fuel figures of 8.4L/100km (FWD) and 8.8L/100km (AWD) for its big new CX-9. Mazda says this is a 25 per-cent improvement over the outgoing model. Standard 91 RON unleaded or E10 fuels can be used.

A full features list is still to be confirmed, although the earlier leaked dealer bulletin hints at what buyers can likely expect.

Mazda has at least confirmed the new CX-9's spread of safety technology, however, with range-wide features set to include Advanced Blind Spot Monitoring (ABSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Smart City Brake Support - Forward/Reverse (SCBS F/R).

With the top-spec Azami, there will also be Adaptive LED Headlamps (ALH), which incorporates High Beam Control (HBC), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Lane Keep-assist System (LAS) and Smart Brake Support (SBS).

Although any car maker would say as much, Mazda is expecting huge things for its new CX-9. Earlier this year, the company revealed it had recorded 55,000 "potential purchase leads", outdoing the 34,000 leads inspired by the new MX-5 that launched last year.

Watch for CarAdvice's Australian launch review of the new CX-9, early next month.

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2016 Mazda CX-9 pricing (before on-road costs):