Road Test of the Month, by Rich V

What would you do on a droopy afternoon in late March when you had nothing else to do, especially considering that Mazda had e- mailed you a certificate for a $25 gift card if you test drove a new Mazda before April 2nd? Why you'd go test drive a new Mazda, just as Lilas and I did, wouldn't you? Sure you would, and you'd drive the new Mazda CX-9 too... oh yes you would... don't argue with me or you'll ruin the story! This story begins when I needed some pieces- parts for Baby, Lilas and I stopped by Park Mazda of Wooster to visit with George, my Miata parts supplier, and as long as we were there to test drive the new CX-9 and collect my $25 gift card from Mazda.

The CX-9 is styled a lot like the CX-7 so the look is muscular/ swoopy, but at about 110% the size of the CX-7 this puppy is big.

Mazda no longer builds the MPV (van) so consider this three row seating, 7 passenger, crossover the replacement for the old MPV. Not that the rear most seats are ready for a cross country sit by your 6'

10" buddy, but for short trips with the third couple or for your kids they're just fine. Getting into those rear seats isn't bad either since the second row of seats glide forward out of the way of persons entering the third row. Put the all of the seats down and you've got an almost perfectly flat storage area for all those bags of mulch you buy every spring. Shoot, with 100.7 cu. ft. of open space you'll be able to haul home half of the Home Depot store in there.

But it was the front seats that we used, and they were most comfortable. Our test car had the cloth interior, leather is standard on the two upper crust versions of the CX-9 with most of the other amenities that you could possibly want either standard or available on all three versions. The CX-9 is available as the Sport, Touring or Grand Touring, with higher levels of standard goodies, and prices, as you climb the options list. You'll find bluetooth capability available, all CX-9s are Sirius Radio ready and have storage cubbies, bins and soda bottle/juice box holders galore. There is a decently sized center console but the glove box is a bit smallish. It is of course possible to order power everything, so you'll not lack for creature comforts in a CX-9. My one complaint was that my right elbow constantly bumped the high padded lid of the center console, though more careful adjustment of the seat height may have alleviated that problem. Being seated in the middle row seats, with their reclining seat backs and fore and aft travel, should not elicit complaints from anyone. In all there are eight option packages available and too many individual options to count, you can even set this crossover up to tow 3500 lbs.

If you'll recall the CX-7 is powered by a turbocharged 2.3 liter four cylinder engine, and it has plenty of power, but the larger and heavier (4546 lb with AWD - almost 2 Miatas!) CX-9 gets a larger and smoother running 3.5 liter 263 H.P. V-6 to move it's larger bulk around. And move it around in good fashion it does too, I never felt that there was a lack of power, there's enough zoom here.

The six speed automatic wiggle-stick transmission has much to do with the peppy feeling of the CX-9, there's always the right gear for the car to be in. That six speed transmission is also responsible for the respectable 18/24 EPA gas mileage rating that the CX-9 is capable of getting.

Driving this big car was actually fun and even though it "drives big", the handling was tight and controlled with little front end dive when braking. The brakes themselves felt strong and able to haul this big guy down to a stop easily. All wheel drive can be had with any of the three versions and Roll Stability Control, Dynamic Stability Control, ABS, Air Bags, Side Air Curtains, Traction Control and other safety features are standard on all three levels.

There's a lot to like in this crossover; power, amenities, safety, comfort and of course it drives like a Mazda. Our tester was painted our favorite hue; Galaxy Gray Mica but yours can be painted Brilliant Black Clearcoat, Stormy Blue Mica, Liquid Platinum Metallic, Black Cherry Mica, Sparkling Black Mica, Crystal White Pearl Mica or Copper Red Mica. Interiors, leather or cloth, are available in either Sand or Black.

If you're in the market for a largish crossover vehicle you'd be remiss to not test drive the CX-9, this is a very nice vehicle that can be optioned as well as any vehicle on the market today.

Thanks to Mazda, Lilas and I spent quality time together, enjoyed driving someone else's toy and got paid $25 for the privilege too.

Thank you Mazda.