2021 Mazda CX-9 towing capacity
Max tow rating
3,500lb
- Sport FWD, 2.5L 4cyl.
- Base trim: 3,500 lb.
- Rank 71 of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 2,800 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 3,500 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 2,800 lb
- Margin
- 700 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- II, up to 3,500 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 66% of 4,236 lb
Within the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 14-19 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 3,500 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 2,800 lb
- Hitch class at max
- II, up to 3,500 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Some, up to 2,800 lb |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Some, up to 2,800 lb |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 2,800 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | No |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 3,500 lb: Sport FWD, $34,160.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport FWD | 2.5L 4cyl | FWD | 3,500 lb | 4,236 lb | $34,160 |
| Touring FWD | 2.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | 4,236 lb | $35,950 |
| Sport AWD | 2.5L | AWD | 3,500 lb | 4,409 lb | $36,060 |
| Touring AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | 4,409 lb | $37,850 |
| Carbon Edition FWD | 2.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | 4,236 lb | $41,280 |
| Grand Touring FWD | 2.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | 4,236 lb | $42,140 |
| Carbon Edition AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | 4,409 lb | $43,180 |
| Grand Touring AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | 4,409 lb | $44,040 |
| Signature AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | 4,409 lb | $46,805 |
Max rating by year
Same max rating from 2009 to 2023: 3,500 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Durango | 8,700 lb | SRT 392 AWD | $65,877 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 7,200 lb | SRT 4WD | $70,995 to $71,270 |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,000 lb | L FWD | $35,085 |
| Mazda CX-9 (this car) | 3,500 lb | Sport FWD | $34,160 |
| Volvo XC40 | 3,500 lb | T4 Momentum FWD | $33,700 |
| Lexus UX | 2,000 lb | 200 FWD | $33,000 |
| Audi Q3 | 1,801 lb | 40 TFSI Premium AWD | $34,000 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree