Used 2021 Mazda CX-9 for Sale nearNashville, TN

How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 cost?

Prices have softened 8.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 544 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda CX-9 earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its smooth handling, reliability, and luxurious interior, and they also highlight its comfortable driving experience. The CX-9’s premium feel and polished ride make it appealing if you want a three-row SUV that feels more upscale than many rivals.

The trade-offs are clear: it can feel short on power for some buyers, and cargo space is limited when the third row is in use. The overview also points to a spacious cabin and a more luxurious interior than the typical family SUV, so it fits you best if style and refinement matter more than maximum utility.

32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to reliability, dependability, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many drivers saying they can count on it for everyday use. The expert evaluation also emphasizes a smooth, composed driving character and a well-sorted powertrain that supports confident long-term use.

Mazda’s maintenance perk language is not included here. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a premium-feeling SUV can still bring higher ownership costs if prior care was inconsistent.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mazda CX-9?

At 69.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should run a vehicle history report before you commit, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks bodywork, electronics, and signs of uneven wear. Focus especially on whether the cabin, safety systems, and infotainment all work as intended, since those are central to the CX-9’s appeal.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Sport and Touring sit below the more luxurious Grand Touring and Signature, while Carbon Edition adds a custom look and feel with Polymetal Gray paint, cranberry red leather upholstery, second-row captain’s chairs, and dark-finish 20-inch wheels. Base trims use 18-inch wheels, so you should check whether the features you want are standard or reserved for higher trims.
• Powertrain: Every version uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, Sport mode, and available manual shift control. Front-wheel drive is standard on most trims, while all-wheel drive comes standard on Signature.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and rain-sensing wipers. Carbon Edition adds adaptive front lighting, a windshield wiper de-icer, a driver-attention monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and Smart City Brake Support Reverse, while Grand Touring adds a surround-view camera system.
• Infotainment: The CX-9 uses a 10.25-inch static display with Mazda Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text messaging support, Pandora access, 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connect services with a free three-year trial plus a separate three-month/2GB WiFi hotspot trial. It does not have a touchscreen, and voice recognition is a weak point.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-9 is described as thirsty, and the expert testing notes 23 mpg combined on the EPA estimate for the Signature, with a real-world average of 20.1 mpg on the standard route.

Which 2021 Mazda CX-9 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 is offered in 5 trim levels: Sport, Touring, Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Signature.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the entry point, and it gives you the CX-9’s core strengths without the higher-trim extras. It makes sense if you want the stylish design, premium feel, and standard safety tech at the lowest cost.
• Touring: This trim adds more equipment while staying below the luxury-focused versions, so it’s a sensible middle ground if you want a better-equipped CX-9 without stretching too far.
• Carbon Edition: This is the best-value trim if you want the biggest jump in style and safety features. It adds the custom appearance package, second-row captain’s chairs, adaptive front lighting, a driver-attention monitor, parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want a more upscale experience and the surround-view camera system. It builds on the lower trims with more standard features and a stronger luxury lean.
• Signature: This is the most premium version, with the richest materials and the most upscale presentation. It also stands out because all-wheel drive comes standard here.

The safety package is strongest as you move up the lineup, with Carbon Edition representing the next major step and Grand Touring adding the surround-view camera system.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mazda CX-9?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 544 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,909, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mazda CX-9's resale value?

The current average of $21,909 sits slightly below last year's $23,887.

That decline suggests the CX-9 has become more affordable for used buyers, which can help demand in the near term. For you as a future seller, it means the market has already adjusted downward, so resale upside may be more limited unless your vehicle is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped.

The CX-9’s premium image and strong owner satisfaction can still support buyer interest over time. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintenance records organized, you should be in a better position when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 safe?

The 2021 Mazda CX-9 earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact ratings for the driver and front passenger.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and rain-sensing wipers. Carbon Edition adds adaptive front lighting, a windshield wiper de-icer, a driver-attention monitor, front and rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking, while Grand Touring adds a surround-view camera system.

A key caveat is that lane-centering assistance is unavailable, and the adaptive cruise system can struggle to maintain following distance smoothly at higher speeds. Even so, the CX-9’s safety package is broad and well regarded.

Should I buy a 2021 Mazda CX-9 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model year adds a new infotainment system, new safety features, and updated cameras.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $23,575, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,909 average.
• It adds standard all-wheel drive and is offered in six trim levels.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the stronger buy because it combines a lower average price with solid owner satisfaction and meaningful updates. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model with standard AWD and a broader trim lineup, the 2022 is the cleaner alternative.

How does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 compare to the 2021 Honda Pilot?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Mazda CX-9:

• Pros: Stylish design, Spacious, Premium interior materials.
• Cons: Cramped third row, Outdated technology, Unintuitive technology.

2021 Honda Pilot:

• Pros: Spacious, Easy-to-use technology, Stylish design.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Irritating transmission.

Our experts score the 2021 Mazda CX-9 7/10 and the 2021 Honda Pilot 7.2/10. The CX-9 leans more upscale, with a premium cabin and stylish design, while the Pilot is the easier choice if you want straightforward technology and a roomier feel. If you care most about interior polish, the Mazda has the edge; if you want a more practical family hauler with simpler tech, the Honda is the safer bet.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.