Car Mazda CX-9 Review

The Mazda CX-9 is a midsize crossover utility vehicle. It combines the cargo capacity of an SUV with the fuel economy, ride quality, and handling of a car. It's a swift and stylish alternative to a mid-size SUV or a minivan.

The 2010 Mazda CX-9 gets some significant updates, including minor styling revisions: Exterior updates include the corporate five-pointed grille, side mirrors redesigned to be larger and more aerodynamic, taillights that feature a texture inspired by the Nagare concept car, an additional chrome trim piece above the license plate that echoes the chrome trim floating in the front grille, and two new wheel designs. The CX-9 was introduced as a 2007 model, so these changes represent mid-cycle updates to a proven product.

Inside, Mazda aimed for a more upscale look for the 2010 CX-9 by adding piano black insets on the steering wheel and radio display and chrome trim to the door handles, door trim, instrument panel and many controls. A double-lid center console design is also new, as is a 4.3-inch display screen on models without the larger navigation screen.

The Mazda CX-9 is a great people hauler. It can carry seven six-foot passengers, thanks to a third-row seat designed with adults in mind. It's easy for a 5-foot, 6-inch woman to climb into the CX-9 because there's no need to climb up into it. Yet the seating position is high enough that the driver looks over at, not up to, drivers in big SUVs. We found the cabin surroundings handsome.

The CX-9 is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, providing a nice option for those who worry about snowy travel in hilly areas. Properly equipped, the CX-9 is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds.

What sets the CX-9 apart are its sporty looks and the road manners to back them up. The CX-9 responds quickly to driver input, feeling surprisingly enthusiastic about travel on a serpentine two-lane. Performance is provided by a 3.7-liter V6 engine delivering 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This refined, 24-valve power plant was designed by Ford and is built in Ohio before being shipped to Japan where the CX-9 is assembled. It works with an impressive six-speed, Japanese-made automatic transmission that can be shifted manually if the driver is interested in some frisky motoring.

Electronic stability control, which helps the driver maintain control on slippery surfaces, comes standard on all models, along with roll stability control, and air curtains, which provide head protection in a side-impact crash. The CX-9 has received the U.S. government's highest possible ratings (five stars) in frontal and side impact crashes, and four-star ratings for rollover resistance. All Mazda vehicles come with a roadside assistance program, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the United States and Canada.

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Mazda 3 Review

The Mazda3 changed the way people thought about compact cars when it was launched as a 2004 model. This is a premium automobile, exciting to drive, styled adventurously, and fully equipped with luxury features. There's nothing austere, basic or cheap about it.

For 2007, Mazda has upgraded the appearance of its s-model sedan and s-model five-door hatchback with a body-color grille, a redesigned front bumper with square foglights, and a new look for both the 16- and 17-inch, cast-aluminum wheels. Detail changes also improve interior appearance, and leather is now optional for all s-models, both sedan and five-door hatchback. An auxiliary audio input with 12-volt power outlet is now standard for all models, making them iPod-friendly.

Upgrades for 2007 also include some changes to improve the driving personality of the Mazda3. Reinforcements to the body shell improve overall chassis rigidity. The front dampers of the MacPherson strut suspension have been retuned to quicken steering response and reduce understeer, while the dampers of the multi-link rear suspension also have been retuned to match. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist are standard equipment for all s-models and optional for the i-model sedan. Traction control and stability control are now available for both the s-model sedan and five-door. All models are front-wheel drive.

The Mazdaspeed3 joins the model lineup for 2007. A true high-performance car featuring a 263-hp, turbocharged, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, the Mazdaspeed3 joins a group of extreme sports sedans that includes the Honda Civic Type S, Mitsubishi Evo MK IX, and Subaru Impreza WRX.

The Mazda3 is built in Japan, yet beneath the skin you'll find evidence of engineering from around the world. Volvo developed the body. Ford contributed the suspension design and sophisticated electronics. And Mazda engineered the four-cylinder engines and then tuned the complete car at its test track in Japan.

As a result, the Mazda3 has the personality of a true world car. It's space-efficient and exciting to drive like a European car. It's practical and economical like a Japanese car. And it's available with a surprising list of comfort and luxury features just like an American car.

The sedan and hatchback versions look quite different. The sedan has the traditional appearance of a four-door, five-passenger car. The five-door hatchback is like the high-fashion station wagons from European manufacturers, offering the practicality of the five-door configuration with an emphasis on a premium driving experience, which means plenty of luxury features plus plenty of driving enjoyment.

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