Mazda CX-9 Wins AutoPacific 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award

IRVINE, Calif., May 19, 2009: One of the most award-winning vehicles in recent times, the Mazda CX-9 has been named the top of its class and received the AutoPacific 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA). The VSA is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with a new car or light truck, and reflects the opinions of consumers nationwide. Mazda CX-9 owners have ranked the vehicle tops in the ultra-competitive large crossover SUV segment.

The VSAs summarize the results of AutoPacific's 2009 model year vehicle satisfaction research. More than 25,000 consumers around the country participated in the survey.

"Vehicles that score highest in AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have hit the mark delivering value and satisfaction with their buyers by performing well in 48 separate categories that measure the ownership experience," says AutoPacific president George Peterson.

"We are extremely honored to receive such a remarkable award," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. "The CX-9 is a clear class leader and we are proud consumers have recognized the value that this vehicle offers."

The three-row Mazda CX-9 deftly blends sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger sport-utility vehicle (SUV) practicality. CX-9 is powered by a 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and features standard Roll Stability Control and an available Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system, which helps see and prevent the unexpected. CX-9 has also received the top rating of 5-stars in frontal and side impact crashes from the US government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) vehicle safety tests and a top rating of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for front and side crash protection. Priced from $29,400, the CX-9 is available in three trim levels - Sport, Touring and Grand Touring - and offers cutting-edge safety technology, high-quality craftsmanship and unique driving dynamics atypical of other vehicles in its class.