Mazda CX-9 Luxury 2008 review

Double-takes from CX-7 drivers were not uncommon during my time in the biggest member of Mazda's SUV range - the CX-9. The exterior lines might be similar but there are big differences between the five and seven-seat Mazda kid-carriers.

The slimming CX-9 styling hides quite a sizeable machine, which at just over 5m long and nearly 2m wide is no waif.

While Mazda says it has 200mm of ground clearance it looks low-slung and almost sleek, suggesting snow-bunny locales and A-grade dirt are more this SUV's forte than rock-hopping.

From behind the wheel its dimensions become more apparent - slipping into tight car spaces is helped by the presence of a rear-view camera but radar sensors would be a worthwhile addition to the features list.

The drivetrain is smooth and quiet, although it has to shift two tonnes of Mazda, which means it has plenty of work to do.

It's not the sweetest engine from the Mazda stable when working hard, nor is it the most frugal, returning figures in the 16 litres/100km (it's ADR claim is 13 litres/100km), which is about par for the petrol-powered opposition in the class.

But the seven-seater has plenty to like. The features list includes 20 inch wheels, sunroof, front and rear airconditioning and cruise control.

The Luxury edition also gets leather trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switch gear, electrically-adjustable heated front seats and rain-sensing wipers.

The CX-9 also packs a good range of safety gear, including stability control (with roll-over sensing function) and dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags.

The Luxury edition also gets a good-quality Bose sound system with sub-woofer, controlled by the touch screen that also carries the rear camera images, but sun glare from the heavily-raked windscreen can interfere.

The big Mazda is reasonably nimble but the electronics kick in quickly if pushed hard, making sure the two-tonne machine is reined in early, but most drivers won't push it to the same degree.

The passenger accommodation is comfortable, with the middle row of seats able to slide fore and aft to give the third row a little extra leg room.

The third-row seats fold flat into the floor but even with them up there's still some room for cargo, although it won't be enough for a weekend away for seven, but five passengers and their bags will fit.

Ride comfort is on the firm side - the is price for some agility.

The new Mazda is heading into SUV segment that showed the most sales growth last year - up against Ford's Territory, Holden's Captiva, Toyota's Kluger and the new-look Subaru Tribeca - and it deserves to be on the seven-seater medium SUV shopping list.