Base Price: $30,490
Price as Tested: $40,135
Why We Drove It: The Mazda CX-9 ranked second among all midsize multi-activity vehicles in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL).


The Mazda CX-9 is a mid-size crossover utility vehicle with three rows of seats and seven-passenger capacity. It is not, as many people assume, a longer version of the compact Mazda CX-7 CUV. Though the two models share styling themes, the larger CX-9 is constructed upon a different platform, uses a different powertrain, and has a larger interior. Mazda prides itself on building vehicles that are fun to drive, so the CX-9 s suspension, steering, brakes, and powertrain are designed to produce a smile on the driver s face. Though the CX-9 shares its basic underpinnings with the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX (Ford, until recently, owned a controlling interest in Mazda) its sheetmetal, interior, engine, and other parts are exclusive to the Mazda. The CX-9 debuted for the 2007 model year, received a more powerful engine for 2008, and gets minor enhancements for 2009.


Here is what changed on the 2009 Mazda CX-9:
. Standard trip computer on all models
. Sport model gets standard Bluetooth connectivity
. Grand Touring model gets standard auto-dimming rearview mirror with a Homelink universal transmitter
. AWD models come standard with trailer tow preparation
. Sirius satellite radio with a free 6-month subscription now included with Moonroof, Bose Audio, and Rear Seat Entertainment option packages
. Heated seats and outside mirrors are part of the Sport Power Seat option package
. New color: Liquid Silver (as seen in photos)


The 2009 Mazda CX-9 is available in three trim levels with front-wheel or all-wheel drive: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Choosing the Touring model adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, 8-way power driver s seat with lumbar support, 4-way power front passenger s seat, heated side mirrors, auto-off headlights, unique door panel trim, a nicer headliner, and a second-row armrest with cupholders. Touring trim is also the path to the optional navigation system, power rear hatch, and Mazda s Advanced Keyless Entry and Start smart card.


Select the CX-9 Grand Touring in exchange for the keyless entry and start smart card plus 20-inch wheels with a polished finish (seen in the photos), bright-finish exterior trim, fog lights, Xenon headlights with manual leveling, side marker lights embedded into the side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, memory settings for the driver s seat, silver and wood-pattern interior accents, electroluminescent gauges with blue interior accent lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink garage door opener, and an anti-theft perimeter alarm. The Grand Touring is also exclusively equipped with Mazda s blind spot monitoring system as standard equipment.


Options are typically bundled into packages or sold as accessories through the Mazda dealer. All three versions of the Mazda CX-9 can be equipped with a power moonroof, remote engine starting, a Bose Centerpoint audio system, a rear seat DVD entertainment system, Sirius satellite radio, and extra-cost Pearl White paint. Sport models can be equipped with heated side mirrors, heated front seats, and a power driver s seat. The Touring can be fitted with Mazda s Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System. Touring and Grand Touring models are available with a navigation system, rearview camera, Bluetooth streaming audio, and a power rear hatch.


Mechanically, the Mazda CX-9 is equipped with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine making 273 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 270 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4250 rpm running on regular unleaded fuel. Power is put to the ground through the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. Mazda, along with BMW, is unique in the industry for providing manually-shifted transmissions where the driver taps the selector up to engage a downshift, and down to engage an upshift. When prepped for towing, the CX-9 can tug a trailer weighing up to 3,500 pounds.


Mazda includes several safety features as standard equipment. The CX-9 is equipped with dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensors protecting all three rows of seats. Additionally, every CX-9 includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and brake assist, traction control, and stability control with rollover sensing.


J.D. Power and Associates says the Mazda CX-9 competes against other midsize multi-activity vehicles, a long list containing many choices. A selection of models equipped with three rows of seats like the CX-9 includes the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Saturn Outlook, Subaru Tribeca, and Toyota Highlander.