How can soften the ride on the CX-9

I would suggest checking the pressure listed on the tire. if not one of the best ways to see if you can change pressures, take a white paint pen and draw a line across the flat of the tire. when you reduce the pressure check it after a mile or so and see where the pain is. if the paint is in the center then the pressure is too high and if the sides have no paint and the center does its too low, you do want to keep an even pressure to make sure your not wearing the tires wrong or reducing traction.

A lincoln, any year will do.

What kind of tires are on? I would not change the tire PSI, that will just hard your stability and MPG.

Not sure what tyre setup you are using now, if they are run flat tyres that might be part of the issue. Those tend to have stronger sidewalls at the price of less flexibility resulting in a harsher ride. Keep to the prescribed minimal pressures for best ride quality and fuel mileage.

Check the vehicle owners manual and see what it recommends for air pressure in the tires and stay within those specifications. If a tires max PSI rating is 51 PSI and you put 48 in it but the vehicle recommends 38-42 the tires will wear abnormally and the ride will be rougher. Also if you're running aftermarket rims that are larger with lower profile tires rougher ride is going to happen and there is no changing that unless you go back to smaller rims with a higher profile tire.

DO NOT MAX OUT YOUR TIRES........I used to work at Discount tire, I this area well. What kind of tires are you on now? I'm sure 35 psi is plenty, you could go down to 32 if desired.

I have a 2017 cx9 and it is the most uncomfortable bumpy riding vehicle i have ever ridden in. It is the inherent stiff suspension that is very non forgiving of any ripples ot bumps in the road. There is nothing you can do about it. It is bumpy regardless of 18 or 20 inch tires. Madza engineers need to fix this. It does not have to be this stiff to have the handeling control. I have other vehicles with a sport drive and a smooth ride. I will never buy or lease a madza vehicle again. I dislike the jolting ride very much. I avoid driving it as much as I can until my lease is up.Dont waste your time trying to make adjustments to make the vehicle ride smoother. Just dont buy or lease a Madza the next time.