Mazda CX-9 2007 review

Even though the Mazda Tribute — a version of the Ford Escape compact SUV — has been on sale for years, SUVs don't come to mind when I think of Mazda. Instead, I see Miatas and RX-7s — sporty cars.

That said, Mazda took the right approach with the new seven-seat CX-9 crossover by giving it a sporty look that both reaffirms Mazda's brand image and is likely to appeal to more buyers than conventional SUVs do. Add a roomy interior, refined engine and transmission, and carlike handling, and the CX-9 is an attractive entry that seems more than able to hold its own against other full-size crossovers like the new Saturn Outlook.

See also:

Manual Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Shift Pattern The vehicle is equipped with either a 5- speed or 6-speed manual transmission. The shift pattern for each is shown above. Depress the clutch pedal all the way d ...

Installing a Child-Restraint System
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can easily be converted into the automatic locking mode, which must be done to hold the child-restraint system. Some child-restraint systems also employ specially ...

A Powertrain for Sporty Performance with Great Fuel Economy
The Zoom-Zoom driving experience that Mazda strives for has two key attributes: 1) a sense of linear acceleration and deceleration that responds crisply to how far the accelerator pedal is depressed ...