Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-9 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

Both the CX-9 and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-9 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X7 has not been tested, yet.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-9 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 54 percent more Mazda dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-9’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better fuel mileage than the X7 M50i (20 city/26 hwy vs. 16 city/21 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-9 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X7 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better maneuverability, the CX-9’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the X7 w/Rear Steering’s (38.8 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The CX-9’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the X7 xDrive40i’s (38.8 feet vs. 42.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X7 (8.8 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-9 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1000 to 1250 pounds less than the BMW X7.

The CX-9 is 4.2 inches shorter than the X7, making the CX-9 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-9 has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 5.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

The front step up height for the CX-9 is 1.7 inches lower than the X7 (18.3” vs. 20”). The CX-9’s rear step up height is 1.7 inches lower than the X7’s (18.8” vs. 20.5”).

The CX-9’s cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

The CX-9’s cargo area is larger than the X7’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-9’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-9 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-9 and the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-9 outsold the BMW X7 by 13% during 2022.