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.

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Under the Hood
Tribute buyers get the choice of two engines, both of which have been upgraded. A manual transmission is standard on the base model, and other models come with a standard six-speed automatic trans ...

Head Restraints
Head restraints are intended to help protect you and the passengers from neck injury. WARNING: Always drive with the head restraints installed when seats are being used and make sure they are pr ...

Installing Child-Restraint Systems
Accident statistics reveal that a child is safer in the rear seat. The front passenger's seat is clearly the worst choice for any child under 12, and with rear-facing childrestraint systems it is ...