This is the first time the CX-9 will be seen outside North America and Australia is currently the only right-hand-drive market confirmed to receive the new model.

Mazda will display both a production CX-9 from North America and a cutaway model to give showgoers a good look at the interior.

With three rows of seats and a 186 kW V6 engine as standard, it joins the Tribute and CX-7 in Mazda's off-road range.

Mazda Australia says the decision to produce a right-hand-drive version just for Australia underlines the country's importance to Mazda globally.

It is designed to blend Mazda's "Soul of a Sportscar" driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality, paying just as much attention to driving enjoyment as to family practicality.

The interior can be adjusted to suit all needs, with a wide range of driver's seat and steering column adjustment, a 60-40 split second row with approximately 125 mm of fore-and-aft slide travel and a reclining backrest, plus a 50-50-split for the third row.

Designed to carry seven people as well as their luggage, the CX-9 provides more than 480 litres of cargo capacity even with the third row seat in place, eclipsing the boot capacity of many large sedans.

Powering the CX-9 is a new 3.5-litre V6 featuring four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing, driving through a standard six-speed automatic transmission.