2008 Mazda CX-9

Review

What is it about crossover vehicles that's so appealing? I had to ask this

question out loud to myself as I climbed into the driver's seat of the new 2008 Mazda CX-9. I did so more out of respect for the automaker than disdain. I must admit that my philosophy has always been “less is more.” I don't quite get why we need cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans and now a combination of all three in the crossover segment. Can such a creation really be all things to all people? Well, in the case of the CX-9, it comes pretty darn close.

This highly regarded specimen won the Motor Trend Sport/Utility Award for 2008, and I was curious to understand why. My first clue was appearance – yes you can judge this book by its cover! It's a knockout. I received several compliments from friends and passersby who said they loved the look of this car. Really and truly, it is one of those rare finds that stands out from the crowd. It's definitely not like a typical boxy SUV, too big to be a car (although it gets its start from the Mazda 6 platform), way too robust and sexy to be a minivan, and yet it has characteristics of all three. Starting with the bold front grille and shrewd looking angular headlamps, the CX-9 looks like a no-nonsense “I'm here to make a statement” leader of the pack. Allow your eyes to follow that severely slanted extra large front windshield,

and you know that no wind will stand in its way. Here is where Mazda excels at promoting speed and sporty appearance through its stylish and functional aerodynamic design. This theme continues along the side panels with long doors and windows that give a sleek and uncluttered line to the body. The standard 18-inch aluminum wheels on the Sport and Touring models look very appropriate, but what about those gorgeous 20-inch alloys on the GT? Like a bodybuilder on steroids, these muscles add that something extra to an already attractive package. And what a nice butt – tight, tailored and simple, with two large chrome tailpipes – yeah baby! This is one vehicle I would take the time to wash and wax myself, rather than sending through the automatic car wash.

Have I got your attention? Well, let's move on inside and get acquainted with the CX-9's other attributes. After all, it's not just a pretty face. This crossover is deceptively large, with seating for seven. It doesn't look all that big from the outside, but because of the extra long wheelbase (113.2 inches) there is substantial legroom in all three rows. Head room is

ample, too, except in the third row, due to the slanting roof line. Adults of all sizes will find the first two rows of seating to be sufficient and extremely comfortable for long trips. Like most SUVs and crossovers, the two seats in the third row are perfectly fine for children, but not so great for grownups, except on short jaunts. Getting into the third row is fairly easy by virtue of the forward moving second row seats. There is, however, a bit of an obstacle in the form of a large wheel well to climb over. I noticed this more acutely when I was wearing a skirt.

With all the seats in their upright position, the remaining cargo room is scant, with more height (30.9 inches) than length (19.0 inches), making it difficult to stow many groceries or other open bags. With the third row and second row down, however, the cargo volume goes from 17.2 cu ft to a vast 100.7 cu ft. There are many configurations for hauling whatever you might have picked up at IKEA or Home Depot. The middle row splits 60/40, while the third row splits 50/50. And if you picked up more than you could possibly fit inside the vehicle,

don't despair, as the towing capacity is good for most light hauls at 3,500 lbs.

Sitting in the driver's seat I felt like Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise ... except that I'm not bald, I don't have an English accent, and I'm not a man. But I got the distinct sense that Mazda fashioned the front cabin after the cockpit of a space shuttle. The center console is large (there is nothing petite about this vehicle) to the point where it encapsulates the driver and passenger in their own little pods. Some people would like this attribute, but I was distanced from my co-pilot husband, which made red light smooches a bit of an awkward exercise. I kept wanting to say, “Make it so, Number One,” and head off into an unknown galaxy at warp speed.

The speed part is not an issue in the CX-9. A normally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 engine gives plenty of push with 273 horsepower and lots of low range torque (270 @ 4,250 rpm). With a marketing mantra of “Zoom Zoom,” I don't think any Mazda executive would let one of its “M” badged vehicles go into production without making sure the power component was up to par, and this one comes via the

Japanese brand's relationship with Ford. Superb handling is mixed in with the speed for some of the best car-like qualities Mazda offers, all making this vehicle such an anomaly. It seats seven, like a minivan, but it corners relatively flat like a sport sedan. It has the stance and substance of an SUV, but it nimbly and deftly steers into tight spots and swallows the pavement with effortless power. And, the CX-9 does it all quietly; there is virtually no external road or engine noise to announce its presence.

An Aisin six-speed transmission automatically shifts gears with fluidity. Choose the manual mode, and you'll discover a unique trait. Opposite to the way you may instinctively change gears, in the CX-9 you downshift with a forward push of the gearshift and upshift with a pull back. As counterintuitive as this may feel at first, it is the preferred method on many race cars.

I managed to collect the family for an outing one night to test out the comfort and convenience features that the top of the line GT has to offer. The model I drove was equipped with the optional rear-seat entertainment system that features a nine-inch LCD screen and surround sound with 11 speakers. The 1 ½ hour trip was peaceful, as my two girls were content to watch a movie instead of amusing themselves by annoying each other. Unfortunately, when you opt for this feature you give up the moonroof. I decided to use the navigation system to

get us to our destination, and it never led me astray. The supple leather seats were luxurious and supportive. At night the blue-lit instrument display looks sophisticated and is easy on the eyes. The only thing lacking in the interior are more soft-touch materials instead of hard plastic.

With all of its good looks, the CX-9 does have its flaws. For one, visibility to the rear is not so great. You can only get a rearview camera with the navigation package on the GT, and this helps except when there is a torrential downpour. When the water droplets linger and fog builds up, the camera lens doesn't add much benefit. The other downside to a vehicle this size is ... well, its size. When you see those parking spots that say “small car only,” don't be foolish and try to squeeze this big boy into one. It's long and it's wide. Also, those long rear doors are like giant wings that will do damage to anything or anyone that happens to be in their path when they open. This is where minivans, with their sliding doors, have the upper hand.

Just the same I was glad to have the opportunity to test drive the CX-9 and I appreciate why it's an award-winning vehicle. Mazda has succeeded in creating something that is bold, refined, sporty and elegant, which is no small feat. Now I'm curious to test drive its little brother, the CX7 – will it be as engaging? Stay tuned ...