Compare the2023 Genesis GV80VS 2023 Mazda CX-9

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the GV80 and CX-9 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The CX-9’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the GV80 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Genesis GV80 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-9 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The GV80 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The CX-9 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GV80’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-9 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the GV80 and the CX-9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Mazda CX-9:

	GV80	CX-9
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.1%	26%
Neck Stress	157 lbs.	309 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	51 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	263	337
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	40%
Neck Compression	65 lbs.	165 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Mazda CX-9:

	GV80	CX-9
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	88
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	208
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	458 lbs.	582 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-9’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-9. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-9 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The GV80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-9’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Genesis will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-9.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 15th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 12th.

Engine

The GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 more horsepower (300 vs. 250) than the CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 125 more horsepower (375 vs. 250) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 320) than the CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Genesis GV80 is faster than the Mazda CX-9:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	CX-9
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	5.3 sec	7.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16 sec	13.8 sec	20.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7 sec	6.1 sec	8.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.4 sec	3.1 sec	3.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.5 sec	4.1 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	13.9 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	101 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	140 MPH	149 MPH	132 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GV80’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The GV80 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-9 (21.1 vs. 19.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Genesis GV80, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-9.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-9:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	CX-9
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	12.8 inches

The GV80’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-9 are solid, not vented.

The GV80 stops much shorter than the CX-9:

	GV80	CX-9
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the CX-9 (265/40R22 vs. 255/60R18).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-9 Touring’s standard 60 series tires. The GV80’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CX-9 Touring. The GV80’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature.

Suspension and Handling

The GV80 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-9’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GV80 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GV80 is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-9.

The GV80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the CX-9’s (54.7% to 45.3%). This gives the GV80 more stable handling and braking.

The GV80 PRESTIGE handles at .86 G’s, while the CX-9 Signature pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 PRESTIGE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-9 Touring (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The GV80 is 4.7 inches shorter than the CX-9, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GV80 Prestige uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-9 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The GV80 has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-9 (140 vs. 135.1).

The GV80 has .9 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row legroom and .1 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-9.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV80’s middle and third row seats recline. The CX-9’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The GV80’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-9.

	GV80	CX-9
Second Seat Folded	84 cubic feet	71.2 cubic feet

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-9 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GV80. The CX-9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-9’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The GV80 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-9 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the GV80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-9. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GV80’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the GV80 and the CX-9 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GV80 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-9 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the GV80 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the CX-9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GV80’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-9’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

When the GV80 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-9’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GV80’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-9 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GV80 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The CX-9 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The GV80 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature.

The GV80 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the CX-9.

The GV80 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GV80’s optional Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The GV80 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GV80 will retain 47.61% to 48.08% of its original price after five years, while the CX-9 only retains 42.92% to 44.59%.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 second among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The CX-9 isn’t in the top three.

The GV80 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2021. The CX-9 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

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