Hi Everyone

I'm considering purchasing a CX-9. But I have one concern with the car (well, a second concern besides the touchscreen lockout at speed)....

You see I'm 6'8" and mostly leg. I have always had trouble finding cars that fit me.

I've now driven a dozen different possible vehicles in the hunt for something comfortable for me. Pretty much everything else that I've driven is either boring, or isn't up to my standards, or has reliability concerns, or the infotainment sucks, or I can't afford it with the trim level/features I desire. This is why the CX-9 is among the top candidates for me.

But here's my issue with the CX-9: the huge center console. My big leg is constantly up against it and I've never had to live with that in a car before. Frustratingly, the CX-9's center console is not angled, it's entirely parallel to my leg for a large section and leaves me with no ability to shift my leg on long trips. I'm worried that this is going to be a problem on road trips. It's the kind of thing that's hard to predict without driving that amount of time.

I previously owned a Mazda and I couldn't keep it for the long haul, because the driving position wasn't comfortable enough on long drives. I'm worried about a repeat of that.

But I think I have the solution...

I've studied the center console and I think that if I remove plastic cover on the driver side of the console, I’m betting I would gain another 1 to 2 inches of leg space. I'm pretty sure the console is that big for styling reasons and not for engineering reasons.

I would cover the exposed guts of the console with some black fabric so that it's not exposed and looking stupid. I am fine with the compromise in interior appearance. And I can replace the panel at trade-in time.

So to be clear, I'm not asking about the feasibility of this, because I know I can take that panel off. But I need to know whether or not it would be worth it (before buying the car). And that means finding out if there's anything under the cover that would prevent me from gaining those valuable few inches.

Has anyone been inside the console of the 2016+ CX-9? Even better... got some pics of what it's like in there?

I did find the article below, which at least shows me how I would get started accessing the left panel. But they didn't need to remove the left cover for their project, so you can't see what's on the left side of the console.

https://www.mazdas247.com/forum/inde...bly.123875823/

Thanks
-Chris

 

Honestly if you have not yet, Go look at and test drive a MINI!
I am not joking, the leg and head room is much greater then a MAZDA

Other wise yes you can have custom seat platform made to increase the legroom, but the console is a whole lotta customizing to reduce its size. $$$$

 

Aren't you funny

To be clear, I'm not talking about making a platform and there's no $$ involved. I would simply remove the cover panel from the center console.

 

MacPro,

I'm way shorter than you but also find the center console a bit wider than other vehicles in the same segment. Doesn't cause a problem as with you though, so it's fine by me. Just a thought however... even if you remove the plastic cladding on your side, won't you only gain a few millimeters of legroom given that the dimensions of the console stretches all the way down to the floor? What I'm saying is that the cover does not bulge outwards so removing it may not result in the leg space gains you're looking for.

Quoting Callisto however, a customized bracket might be the best way to go. In my mind, the seat itself won't be modified too much but instead, have a metal frame added that will move the seat back. All other seat functions intact. It will likely raise the seat a little bit but if your head is at least an inch or two from the ceiling, it might work.

 

I was NOT. Obviously you have not even considered a MINI. Trust me go sit in one!
The word "MINI" does not mean that the interior is "mini". In fact with the seat in the rear most position I am willing to bet even at 6'8" you would fit comfortably?
I am 6"1" and I feel like a little kid when I put the seat all the way back in my 02 MCS.

 

Why would someone shopping a large SUV look at a Mini? They would not because they aren't in the same class.

Please stop taking the thread off track.

 

UM well first welcome to the forum.
We have a lot of members with great information to help you.

My comments in this thread directly relate to your dilemma regarding fitment in the drivers seat and what may be a better option to consider? I also even suggested what you could do to the seat rails. I have personally done this to a few vehicles I have owned. . As you have not purchase a LARGE SUV my response has to do with a LARGE SUV The MINICOUNTRYMAN.
So as I stated originally if you have not looked at one and sat in one it may be something your size might want to try!
Otherwise wait until you get around 60+ years or older and the spine through normal ageing reduces your height then maybe a MAZDA will fit you nicely with no modifications? .

06-mini-countryman-review.html

 

Can a body shop move the seat rails back? They need to have original strength in case of a hard rear end crash. There's gott'a be a way for basketball players to get comfy in a car.

 

Relocating a spacer plate or seat rail extension at the bottom of the seat frame rails is completely safe .As long as the harness is still fully adjustable. I am not sure if I would get a body shop to do this kind of modification? This kind of project is better served to seek out a fabrication shop for cars. Like one that builds frame up race cars or custom roll bars and cages. But it is not cheap because it does generally require shaping and welding of materiel. When I had my MAZDA seats out I looked and for me it would be about a 2 day job.

 

I read from another forum that an equally good resource for this type of modification are companies who retrofit / fabricate vehicles for disability, wheelchair access, handicap, etc.