by Gabrielle DeSantis

Choosing a trim level for your new vehicle can be a bit stressful. Can you live without that extra big screen? How important is AWD to you? Questions like this are important to answer, as most people can’t afford to buy a new car every year, but for the Mazda CX-9, the answer is actually pretty straightforward.

Which Mazda CX-9 trim does Edmunds recommend?

When it came to the Mazda CX-9, Edmunds didn’t hesitate with giving a recommendation. Even though there are four trim levels, the Touring is what the review site fell in love with.

According to Edmunds, “If you’re looking for the best combination of value and equipment, the CX-9 Touring is easy to recommend. Choose between front-wheel and all-wheel drive, a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs, and the maximum number of paint and interior color combinations. Leather seats are standard, along with triple-zone automatic climate control and the Mazda CX-9’s new infotainment system. An option package adds premium sound, second-row window shades, and wireless device charging.”

The Touring trim is one step above the base Sport trim and starts at $39,457. This is about $5,000 more than the Sporting trim. That’s not overly expensive, but it is out of the budget for many families. 

It’s easy to see why Edmunds likes the Touring trim. What do other critics think, however?

Car and Driver agrees with Edmunds

Car and Driver agrees with Edmunds completely that the Mazda CX-9 Touring trim is the best value for the money. The review site went on to point out that the Touring trim adds two additional USB ports in the third row, a Bose audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, front and rear parking sensors, and fog lamps.

Car and Driver was very impressed with the turbocharged four-cylinder V6 engine in the Mazda CX-9 and stated that the driving was smooth, comfortable, and it drove like a much smaller vehicle. The reviewer was excited by the updates to the exterior that make it look cooler than ever.

What Car and Driver found disappointing was that the AWD dropped the already low gas mileage from 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.  

What do the specs look like on the 2021 Mazda CX-9?

The Sport trim of the Mazda CX-9 may not be the most recommended model, but it does offer a lot of features for $35,675. AWD may not be standard, but you can get it as an option. 

Heated side mirrors are perfect for wintry mornings when frost decides to settle on your vehicle. Heated front seats are also a blessing for regions hit by freezing temperatures, although it might be a little too much for warmer climates.

Rain-sensing windshield wipers also make life a little simpler as you don’t have to figure out which setting the wipers should be on because the CX-9 does it for you. The Sport trim comes standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment system display, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

There are a few features that come standard no matter which trim you get. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go operation, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist are some much sought-after safety features. 

The Carbon Edition, which is new for the Mazda CX-9, ups the game with red leather seats, 20-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel as well as heated rear seats, and a wireless device charging pad. Additional safety features include driver attention warning and rear automatic braking. The Carbon Edition starts at $44,570.

The Grand Touring trim, which is the highest trim available for the CX-9, offers a hands-free liftgate, integrated navigation system, head-up display, traffic sign recognition system, and surround-view camera system. It starts at $48,375.

RELATED: Get a 2021 Mazda CX-9, Don’t Waste Your Money on a Luxury SUV

The post 2021 Mazda CX-9: Consumers and Critics Agree This Trim Is the Best appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Owners of the 2021 Genesis GV80 crossover have complained about vibrations, shuddering, and its ability to veer across lanes of traffic without warning. Now they have filed a class-action lawsuit over these alleged issues. The lawsuit claims the 2021 Genesis GV80 suffers from a litany of issues that may be causing these listed problems.

They include issues with the driveshaft, axle, and steering problems. It makes a point of saying that buyers paid $70,000 or more than $900 a month to lease their GV80. By pointing out the price it says the GV80 should not be prone to these issues, but we would argue that at any price new vehicles should not exhibit these problems. 

The lawsuit alleges Hyundai rushed the 2021 GV80 into production due to slumping sales

The lawsuit continues that Hyundai allegedly knew about these issues all along according to CarComplaints. It points to the manufacturer stopping the distribution of the diesel-powered 2021 GV80s due to vibrations emanating from the diesel engine. But the lawsuit points out that Hyundai never addressed the instability issues they have encountered. It alleges Hyundai rushed the GV80 into production due to slumping sales.

A Maryland plaintiff is described as leasing a new 2021 Genesis GV80 this past February. She paid more than $900 a month through a lease. Right after purchasing the crossover she and her husband traveled 1,100 miles to Florida. 

The Genesis GV80 “began to dangerously shake, shudder, vibrate, and pull to the left.”

Within a few hours into the trip, the 2021 GV80 “began to dangerously shake, shudder, vibrate, and pull to the left. This caused a continuous struggle to keep the SUV from veering off the road.” They were driving at 40 mph when the Genesis began exhibiting the problems. 

Once in Florida, they took the 2021 GV80 to a dealer. The dealer provided a loaner vehicle while they inspected the crossover. They told the Plaintiff there was something wrong with the GV80. 

But the vehicle got tied up at the dealer because Hyundai was attempting to replace an axle. The remedial work was not completed before the plaintiff and her husband needed to leave Florida so they had to catch a plane back to Maryland without the Hyundai.

The plaintiff was told “the problem had been solved and the car ran great”

Once the dealer completed the work they told the plaintiff “the problem had been solved and the car ran great.” Hyundai paid for the transport of the GV80 from Florida back to the Maryland owners. The first time the plaintiff drove the Hyundai she says it shook, vibrated, and pulled to the left as before. This would happen as the vehicle reached 45 mph. 

The plaintiff took the crossover to her local Maryland dealer. They told her it needed its driveshaft replaced. After the replacement, the vehicle was also aligned. 

By May 15, 2021, the GV80 was taken back to the dealer

After getting the GV80 back the plaintiff experienced the same vibration in the steering wheel and headrest, as well as shuddering while she drove it. By May 15, 2021, the Genesis was taken back to the dealer. At that time the plaintiff was told that a tire needed to be replaced. 

As of the June 13 filing, the dealer has not returned the GV80 to the plaintiff. “Combined with the prior service periods, Plaintiff has been without the SUV she leased for over 38 days during her 82 days of the lease period. To date, Plaintiff remains without her 2021 Genesis GV-80 SUV to her great detriment and inconvenience.”

RELATED: Genesis GV80 Recall, Owner Complaints, and Low Predicted Reliability Mar This Luxury SUV

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