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Mazda CX-9 Wins Blue Ribbon at Texas Truck Rodeo

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2016 Mazda CX-9

Texas is pretty universally known as a hotbed for trucks and SUVs, which is why automakers all watch nervously for the results from the annual Texas Truck Rodeo, a two-day event run by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) where vehicles in 17 competitive categories are put through their paces over and over again.

So, imagine Mazda’s delight as the Texas Auto Writers Association has awarded the top prize in the full-size CUV segment to the all-new 2016 Mazda CX-9, with Nic Phillips, TAWA president, saying “Mazda’s all-new CX-9 earned class-leading marks from our judges particularly in exterior styling, premium interior finishes, the performance of the new SKYACTIV-G 2.5T powertrain and overall personal appeal in the highly competitive full-size CUV category.” Phillips went on to add that the CX-9’s appeal nearly carried it to another award, as Mazda’s largest offering was the runner-up for the overall CUV of Texas award.

This award comes shortly after the announcement that the CX-9 made it onto the shortlist of nominees for the 2017 World Car of the Year, which would make it the second year in a row for the Mazda brand, as the 2016 Mazda MX-5 won the World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year awards last year.

This award is another step on a strong start for the redesigned CX-9, which was the last of the Mazda vehicles in the US to get the modern lineup’s SKYACTIV and KODO—Soul of Motion redesign.