By the time you read this, Mazda's new CX-9 midsize SUV will be hitting showrooms. The Japanese automaker hopes this late model-year-2007 introduction will appeal to growing families who seek a combination of versatile passenger and cargo room and fun-to-drive character. Does CX-9 have what it takes to survive in an increasingly crowded segment?

Crossover Wars

It seems as if you can't turn around without seeing another advertisement for a "crossover." Manufacturers brandish that word like a sword in an effort to appeal to shoppers who want a utility vehicle but are turned off by station wagons, minivans, and traditional SUVs. There continues to be a relentless onslaught of new crossover-type products on the North American market.

For model-year 2006, Consumer Guide identified 25 models as midsize SUVs. That total jumped to 32 for 2007, including two new entries from Mazda--the CX-9 and smaller CX-7. Further, several existing models were redesigned or received significant powertrain and feature updates. All this was done in spite of an overall SUV market that, according to Automotive News sales data, shrank about 10 percent, or 250,000 units in calendar-year 2006.

CX-9 is Mazda's first seven-passenger SUV.

Traditional SUVs derive their basic designs from compact pickup trucks, using body-on-frame construction. Though body-on-frame SUVs typically offer superior off-road and towing capability, they also ride and handle, well, like trucks. Crossovers such as the CX-9 fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. These vehicles use car-type unibody construction. They ride more like sedans, but at the same time aren't as capable of towing or off-roading.

Since most buyers will never use a trailer hitch or leave paved roads, crossovers make sense for people who desire a vehicle that will give them the look and increased cargo capacity of an SUV.

Segment Busting

Many crossovers on the market today fall squarely into the midsize SUV category. They typically seat five passengers. Some models offer a small, folding 3rd-row bench seat that increases capacity to seven, though in most cases that seat is a token gesture suited only for small children.

As the midsize SUV field is becoming increasingly crowded, automakers need ways to distinguish their products from those of the competition. Mazda officials hope CX-9 represents a break from typical midsize SUVs by claiming it provides comfortable travel for seven adults while offering some of the driving fun of its sporty MX-5 convertible and 6 midsize sedan.

CX-9 is among the largest vehicles in the segment, with a 113.2-inch wheelbase. Most five-seat crossovers have wheelbases of less than 110 inches. Even many seven-passenger models are a fair amount shorter than CX-9. Honda's Pilot has a 106.3-inch wheelbase, and Toyota's Highlander rides a wheelbase of 106.9 inches. The only car-type midsize SUVs that are larger than CX-9 are General Motors' new-for-2007 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. As you can see, the idea of large crossovers is a fairly new one among automakers.

Officials hope CX-9 will appeal to people with established families. They say CX-9 buyers are active and social and want a vehicle with the capability of carrying lots of people and cargo. At the same time, the drivers want something that makes them feel connected to the road.

What Makes CX-9 Tick
Mazda is Ford's Japanese affiliate, and as such, there is some underskin design sharing that goes on between the two brands. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan midsize sedans borrow their basic designs from the Mazda 6. For CX-9, Ford lent Mazda the platform of its new Edge midsize SUV.

Also shared with Edge is CX-9's engine, a Ford-developed 3.5-liter V6, which has 263 horsepower. Mazda says the vehicle can use regular-grade fuel without any power loss. EPA estimated fuel economy is 18 city/24 highway for front-drive models and 16 city/22 highway for AWD versions.

Both Edge and CX-9 have a six-speed automatic transmission, but they come from different suppliers. The Ford's transmission is a design shared with General Motors, but CX-9's comes from Japanese-supplier Aisin. The Mazda includes a manual shift gate, which is something Ford doesn't offer.

CX-9 has a maximum cargo capacity of 100.7 cubic feet with the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats folded.

CX-9 comes in three trim levels: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Each is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD system is Mazda's Active Torque Split that made its debut in the high-performance MazdaSpeed6 sedan. It's also used on Mazda's five-seat CX-7 SUV. In normal driving conditions, the system directs all power to the vehicle's front wheels. If there's a loss of traction, the system can divert up to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels. Active Torque Split does not include low-range gearing.

Antilock four-wheel disc brakes are standard on all CX-9s, as are traction control and an antiskid system. Also standard are front side airbags and curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows. The curtain airbags also contain sensors that will deploy them in the event of a rollover crash. CX-9's front headrests are designed to reduce neck injuries should the vehicle be rear-ended.

Alongside these safety features is equipment Mazda says makes CX-9 more fun to drive than a typical crossover SUV. Standard is speed-sensitive power steering designed to provide more road feel as speed increases. The suspension includes front and rear anti-roll bars designed to provide better stability while cornering. Sport and Touring models have standard 18-inch tires, and Grand Tourings come with 20s.

All CX-9s seat seven. The 3rd-row seat is a 50/50 split bench that folds flat into the cargo floor. Unlike the Ford Edge, CX-9 doesn't offer power folding for the 3rd row. The 2nd-row also is a folding bench, but it splits 60/40. In addition to its folding capability, the 2nd row also reclines and slides to allow easier access to the 3rd row or create more leg room for passengers. Total cargo capacity with the 2nd- and 3rd-row seats folded is 100.7 cubic feet, and that's among the largest in the midsize-SUV class. CX-9's key rivals, the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander have maximum cargo capacities of 87.6 and 80.6 cubic feet, respectively.

Air conditioning, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, and cruise control--all expected features--are standard on all CX-9s. Also standard is three-zone automatic climate control. Sport models have cloth seats. Moving up to the Touring model nets leather upholstery with heated, power-adjustable front seats. Grand Tourings add 20-inch wheels, keyless access and starting, wireless cell phone link, and fog lights.

Most major options are available in packages. For all models, Mazda bundles a Bose-brand audio system with either a rear DVD entertainment system or power sunroof. Note that the sunroof and DVD system can't be ordered together. Touring and Grand Touring models are available with additional packages that include items such as a navigation system with rearview camera and remote engine start.

Front-drive CX-9 Sport models start at $29,035, and the AWD Grand Touring has a $33,875 base price, not including $595 destination. A fully loaded example will run just a shade above $40,000.

These prices are in-line with most midsize SUV rivals. The idea of a somewhat large, seven-passenger crossover is fairly new. It remains to be seen if the market is ready for this type of vehicle. It may be just the thing for people who desire something that can transport a full complement of people but don't want the added bulk of going with a full-size SUV.

Wheelbase	Overall length	Overall width	Overall height	Curb weight	Cargo volume
113.2 in.	199.6 in.	76.2 in.	68.1 in.	4546 lb.	100.7 cu. ft.

Fuel capacity	Seating capacity	Front head room	Front leg room	Rear head room	Rear leg room
20.1 gal.	7.0	39.6 in.	40.9 in.	38.8 in.	39.8 in.