2016-2021 Mazda CX-9 Towing Capacity (Helpful Guide and Tips)
When you buy newer cars, you get to take advantage of all the technological upgrades that have come into existence over the years. You can drive faster, have more conveniences, and sit in comfort for hours on end. You can even tow better.
Like Honda and Toyota, Mazda also likes to keep its car series to one towing capacity weight limit. For Mazda CX-9 and for those years, you are looking at being able to tow 3500 pounds if you are the only person in the car.
To learn more about the towing capacities in Mazda CX-9 vehicles, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about. There may be no difference in the towing capacity, but the curb weights do change depending on the year and trim of the vehicle.
Mazda CX-9 Towing Capacity 101
Can You Tow With a Mazda CX-9?
As you already know, the Mazda CX-9 can tow different types of trailers. Like Toyota and Honda, as long as you stay under the maximum tow capacity, you should have no trouble. Some people even say that you do not need special tow mirrors to get the job done.
This flexibility allows you to handle just about any towing need you may have. From horse trailers to toy hauling to fishing boats, you should be able to get where you are going with little hassle.
The key will be to make sure you have the tow package already installed. It is not certain, but some models over these years may not have the factory installed tow package. That can cost you around $1000 more or less if you add it at the dealer or a trusted mechanic.
Before you buy, double-check to see if your prospective CX-9 has the tow package installed. It may not say it in the paperwork so look under the hood.
How Much Does a Mazda CX-9 Tow?
We checked the different years and trims, and the number will be the same for all of them. Mazda only allows up to 3500 pounds as its towing capacity. This may be boring, but you know what to expect when looking at different Mazda CX-9 models.
It is interesting as one website we looked at did not recommend that you pull a camper behind this vehicle. Yet, they would allow a pop-up camper, a fishing boat trailer, a trailer for your water or snow vehicles, and so on.
There really is no difference in what type of trailer you pull. The key is to subtract 150 pounds from your towing weight for every person that rides along as a passenger. Then some people say that the CX-9 has the power to tow up to 5000 pounds.
That fact is not meant to permit for you to go beyond the towing capacity. It just gives you confidence that you have the power handy to handle a trailer and people weighing up to 3500 pounds.
Can a Mazda CX-9 Tow a Boat?
This is not going to be a problem either. Whether you have a fishing boat or a speed boat, your CX-9 should have the power to tow that toy to the water and help you launch it. The angled ramp should not be an issue either.
The key is the 3500-pound towing capacity. Add all the weight you will be adding to your vehicle and then subtract the total from the 3500-pound limit. If your figures reach the negative side of math, you need to lighten the load or use a different vehicle.
You can even haul different U-Haul trailers, although some people say that the 6 by 12-foot option is too large. You would have to be the judge of that, as your only problem would be with weight and how many items you put inside of the enclosed trailer.
Can a Mazda CX-9 Tow a Camper?
Some people do not recommend it, but if you are using a pop-up or a teardrop, or even a brand of trailer that makes lightweight campers, you should be okay. As long as the total weight being hauled is under 3500 pounds, the car can handle it.
If the weight is fine, you may have trouble with the mirrors, and you would have to add in some towing mirrors to make sure you can see what is happening behind you. But you will need to decide for yourself what size of camper you are able to pull behind your CX-9.
As we stated earlier, check to make sure the towing package is already installed and in top shape. You will need those coolers if you want to get where you are going without any delays. Also, make sure you have the right hitch, receiver, and ball attached, as the wrong ones can delay your trip as well.
2011-2012 Mazda CX-9 Towing Capacity
This will depend on the trim you get. The 2012 sporting model will tow about 3500 pounds, but the 4-door Touring trim is rated at only 2000 pounds. For 2011 all we could find was that those models could tow up to 3500 pounds.
Double-check your owner’s manual to make sure the exact weight your model can tow. If the 2011s are the same as the 2012s, you may have a model that cannot pull that much weight.
Then, before you load the trailer onto the hitch, go over your figures. If you have 4 people in the car, your total will drop by 600 pounds. The 3500 or even 2000 pound limit is for overall weight, not just trailer weight.
A lot of people forget that fact and make miscalculations. When they do, they end up having trouble somewhere down the road. Also, make sure to double-check your addition and subtraction as easy mistakes can be made in simple math.
2014 Mazda CX-9 Towing Capacity
You are probably not going to like this answer as all models for that year are only rated to haul 3500 pounds. All the advice and warnings mentioned earlier apply to all the models of this year’s Mazda’s CX-9s.
The key to towing is to make sure you have the confidence and the skill to tow a trailer. It is not as easy as it looks, and it does take some practice in backing up and cornering.
The car may handle the weight load, but it is up to the driver to take the tow car and trailer. It is easy to become over-confident, and that is when you will make your mistakes.
When you are towing, take your time as the car will not respond the same as when it is not towing a trailer. The trailer can sway on you when you swerve too sharply to avoid an object on the road. Braking takes longer as well so make sure you give yourself plenty of time and room to slow down.
2016 Mazda CX-9 Towing Capacity
The news is the same here as it is with all other Mazda CX-9s. No matter the trim, you will be able to pull a maximum of 3500 pounds. The keyword is maximum as there may be a trim that will not haul that much weight.
Do not be fooled by the power when you are towing a lighter trailer and toy behind you. You may think you can haul more weight, but in reality, the power won’t let you go beyond the tow rating.
Even if there is enough power to haul 5000 pounds, there are other parts involved that may not handle the extra 1500 pounds. If not, you will have some expensive repair bills to worry about.
Mazda CX-9 Tow Ball Weight
There is some discussion on this topic, and the word tow ball may refer to tongue weight. Even if it doesn’t, you are looking at a maximum of approx. 220 pounds or 100 kg. Some people say you can go higher than that to 260+ pounds or 130 kg.
The same people use the 10% rule while Australian authorities use a 5% rule. Some people say that the latter figure is too low and you will have some problems on the road. The 10% rule is that the tow ball rate should be 10% of the overall trailer weight.
If you do not have a lot of experience in towing and trailer weight requirements, it is best to talk to those who do. They can explain it better in more detail and let you see for yourself why the 10% rule is important.
It may be a rough guide, but it is a goo done when you do not have the experience in towing as you should.
Mazda CX-9 Tow Hitch
This will not be a difficult part to find if you do not already have one in your car. There are different designs that attach to your frame in different places, and they give you a good secure hold.
The key to finding the right tow hitch is to make sure the receiver pend will be large enough to handle the trailer ball. The prices will range between $90 and $150 or more, so you can get a top-quality hitch at an affordable price.
Also, the different companies have specially designed tow hitches for every year Mazda has made the CX-9. You do not have to settle for anything less. It should not be a problem finding one that will fit your car correctly and be safe to use.
Mazda CX-9 Diesel Towing Capacity
In 2019, Mazda did launch a diesel version of the CX-9, but the ratings are a bit disappointing to some experts. Even though the diesel engines are better and more powerful than the gas engine, Mazda did not change anything about the towing capacity.
The 2019 is said to be able to tow up to 3500 pounds only. This is the total for all Mazda CX-9 that have trailer brakes on their trailers. If you don’t use trailer brakes, then the towing capacity goes way down.
This brings up an interesting situation as we have looked at one of the Mazda owner’s manuals, and they say something a bit different. Without trailer brakes, you should only be able to tow 1600 pounds approx. Yet, with trailer brakes, you can tow up to 5,500 pounds. This is for both the 2WD & the 4WD.
Keep in mind that the difference may be country-specific and not for American owners.
Mazda CX-9 Tow Package
There is no real mention of a tow package for this vehicle. There is a lot of talk about the upgraded technological features that protect your engine, but no specific tow package is on sale that we could find.
The only mentioning of a tow package involves the hitch, the receiver, and the ball, and it runs around $500 at one location. At some locations you can just get the hitch for about $150. But no one is mentioning a separate tow package.
We also checked the Mazda owner’s manual for the CX-9, and there was no mention of one there either. Your best bet would be to talk to a Mazda dealer or a qualified mechanic that knows Mazda cars.
Some Final Words
Mazda has taken the safe route when it comes to towing. It stops at a reasonable rate for weight while making sure the CX-9 has the power to handle more weight than you are allowed to tow.
No matter which year or trim model you buy, the tow capacities are almost all the same. Some models may have a lower capacity, but that is because those models are made for passengers, not towing.
