Despite being built in Japan at Mazda's Ujina #1 plant in Hiroshima Prefecture, the CX-9 was never offered in the Japanese domestic market.

For the model of 2010, the Mazda CX-9 received a minor facelift and consisting of a new front fascia and new tail lights.

For the model year of 2013, the CX-9 received a refresh that included a new grille, new bumper, new headlights, new tail lights, and restyled front vents to align it with Mazda's "Kodo Design" philosophy.

[3] At the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, Mazda revealed the second generation CX-9, nine years after the previous version launched.

[4] The second generation Mazda CX-9 uses a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder Skyactiv (Grades vary) gasoline engine, producing 227 hp (230 PS; 169 kW) on 87 AKI octane fuel (91 RON) and 250 hp (253 PS; 186 kW) on premium fuel and 420 N⋅m (43 kg⋅m; 310 lb⋅ft) of torque.

These include the Blind Spot Monitoring, Radar Cruise Control with a Stop/Start function, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Control, and Autonomous Emergency Braking (low & high speed).