How much does the 2021 Mazda CX-9 cost?

Prices have softened 8.38% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 525 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $22,150.27, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mazda CX-9 earns a 4.54/5 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. The review summary also points to a comfortable driving experience and a premium feel that helps it stand out among SUVs. The main trade-offs are more power and cargo space, especially when the third row is in use.

It fits you well if you want a stylish, upscale-feeling midsize SUV with a polished driving experience and family-friendly comfort. With 34.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.54/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback highlights reliability, and it also describes the CX-9 as smooth, comfortable, and luxurious enough to inspire confidence over time. The expert driving notes reinforce that sense of dependability by describing the six-speed automatic as flawless and the ride-and-handling balance as exceptionally smooth.

Mazda also includes a three-year trial for connected services, which adds some ownership convenience early on. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the technology can be frustrating, so you should make sure every system works properly before you commit.

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

At 71.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on any example with prior damage or incomplete service records. Focus on body condition, interior wear, and whether the technology and driver-assistance features operate as expected. Because this SUV is often chosen for its premium feel, you should pay close attention to signs that it has been maintained carefully.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Sport and Touring sit below the more luxurious Grand Touring and Signature, while the Carbon Edition adds a distinct look and more equipment. Base versions use 18-inch wheels, and the lower trims miss some of the added safety and convenience features found higher up the range.
• Powertrain: Every version uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Regular fuel delivers 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while premium fuel raises output to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rain-sensing wipers, and other driver-assist tech. 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.
• Infotainment: The CX-9 uses a 10.25-inch static display with Mazda Connect, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, text messaging support, Pandora access, and 9-1-1 automatic emergency notification. It does not have a touchscreen, and the voice recognition system is a weak point.
• Fuel efficiency: The CX-9 is rated at 23 mpg combined, and testing returned 20.1 mpg. The review also describes it as thirsty.

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:

• Base trim: Sport gives you the CX-9’s core strengths, but it misses the richer materials and added convenience features that make the higher trims feel more upscale.
• Sweet-spot trim: Carbon Edition looks like the best value if you want a meaningful step up in style and safety tech without going all the way to the top.
• Premium/top trim: Signature is the most luxurious choice, with premium Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, real aluminum accents, and standard all-wheel drive.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims is positioned as an off-road-focused choice for typical daily driving.

The Carbon Edition is the key safety-package step up, adding driver-attention monitoring, parking sensors, adaptive front lighting, and reverse automatic emergency braking.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 525 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.38% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $22,150.27, 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 $22,737 sits slightly below last year's $24,816.

That price movement suggests the CX-9 has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. A lower current entry price can also support demand from used buyers who want a premium-feeling SUV without paying new-car money. If you keep the vehicle in strong condition and maintain it well, you are better positioned to protect value over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.54/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-9 safe?

It 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, rain-sensing wipers, and other driver-assist features. The 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.

One caveat is that lane-centering assistance is unavailable, and the adaptive cruise system can struggle to maintain distance smoothly at higher speeds.

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:

• 34.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.38% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.54/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 update brings a larger 10.25-inch display and added safety tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,846, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $22,737 average.
• It adds standard all-wheel drive and six trim levels.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2021 if you want the better value and are comfortable shopping carefully for condition and history. If you want standard AWD and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

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