Mazda released the first pictures of the new and refreshed CX-9, set for debut at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show. It may also pop by at the upcoming Paris Motor Show to give the public a look at its new KODO face. That seems to be the only thing majorly changed in the large crossover.

But it’s not. According to Mazda, the new CX-9 also comes with enhanced craftsmanship and interior design, and it gets a new infotainment system as well, featuring latest audio, navigation and speech-recognition systems based on the Human Machine Interface (HMI).

The car is also improved in terms of safety, What with all the high-end systems featured in it, such as Forward Obstruction Warning System, Lane Departure Warning System, and High Beam Control System.

But the man highlight of the new CX-9 is the new front-end design. Mazda is gradually changing the look of its entire lineup to ditch the smiley face and adapt the grille and headlights of the KODO design philosophy.

2013 Mazda CX-9 will launch with a MZI 3.7-liter V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.