The all-new 2017 Mazda CX-9 has been revealed at the LA Motor Show boasting a new engine, three seating rows and both 2WD and AWD configurations.

AT ONE STAGE Mazda suggested the new CX-9 would rival the Toyota Prado, but that must surely have been a misinterpretation of the fact the new CX-9 would be a genuine seven-seat SUV. But whether it can match up to benchmark of seven-seaters, the Land Rover Discovery remains to be seen.

Despite releasing a press kit, details are still relatively light and this news piece is intended to touch on the key elements we gleaned from the release this morning.

It’s no mistake there CX-9 has been revealed in America, because Mazda says it was designed with the US in mind and expects to sell around 80% of its global sales in that country. Sales in the US begin in spring 2016.

Designed to meet the needs of the modern family, the model offers a comfortable and well-thought-out cabin space, i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features and the i-ACTIV AWD all-wheel-drive system first released on the CX-5. The new CX-9 is also the first Mazda to get the brand’s new 2.5-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine which produces 169kW and 420Nm of torque.

“Introducing the All-New Mazda CX-9 into the midsize SUV segment will strengthen our new-generation line-up, and we expect a big boost and sustained growth in North America,” said Masamichi Kogai, Representative Director, President and CEO of Mazda.

“Moving forward, Mazda will continue working to advance our entire product line-up, raise the appeal of the Mazda brand and build a strong emotional bond with customers.”

Some key changes. At 5065mm long, CX-9 is 30mm shorter than its predecessor, but its wheelbase has been stretched 55mm, benefiting passenger leg room as well as entry to and exit from the rear. The CX-9 carries shorter overhangs on both ends 59mm shorter up front and 25mm shorter in the rear—with its A-pillars pushed back 100mm, lengthening its bonnet and “adding a sense of strength through proportions”.

In order to give the CX-9 a more premium feel, Mazda fitted around 15kg of sound deadening mats into the body. Poor road noise insulation is something Mazda’s been criticised of before, but this insulation program should ensure the CX-9 has one of the quietest cabins in its class.

In all, the new CX-9 lost around 190kg in weight saving for front-wheel drive variant and approximately 130kg when equipped with predictive i-ACTIV AWD. The weight savings via lightweight, high-strength steel allowed Mazda engineers to increase window thickness to 4.8mm and rethink active noise-cancelling technologies. Indeed at 100km/h, interior noise levels have been reduced by 12 percent from the previous model and road noise levels have been reduced by 2.0 dB.

Being a seven seater, the most common problem is access to the third-row. Mazda says its made access to back easier, indeed, it says it’s so easy “even a child could do it with a single, simple lever”. There are two LATCH/ISOFIX mounting points in the second row, with the right-side of the 60:40 split-fold seat having been designed to make it possible to accommodate a child seat staying in place while still allowing passengers third-row access.

We’ll have more information closer to the official launch of the vehicle next year.