Just one week prior to our time in the CX-9, the all-new Hyundai Veracruz fell under our care. Hyundai aimed at meeting or beating Lexus in terms of interior noise, a feat it succeeded in achieving. Mazda has not set the same goal, and it shows (or sounds, as the case may be). From wind noise to tire and road noise, the CX-9 is far from the quietest offering in the growing large crossover segment. Part of our dissatisfaction was due to the concrete highways we suffer with in Southern California, but even on smooth pavement we found ourselves raising the decibels for normal conversation. On the plus side, the engine sounds reasonably refined even at full revs, and squeaks and rattles were almost non-existent.
