MAZDA CX-9

The Mazda CX-9 shares some of its DNA with the CX-7, Ford Edge, and Mercury MKX. (All derive from a Mazda6 sedan chassis.) These are not, however, the same. The CX-9 is the only one with three rows of seats. It measures 200 inches long and offers a level of fit, finish, and desirability I didn't find in the Ford Edge. In particular, the CX-7 is not a two-row CX-9. Both Mazda and the Edge/MKX use Ford's new and well-respected Duratec 35 V6, a 3.5-liter powerplant with 263 hp. Built in Lima, Ohio, the engines are shipped to Mazda's Japan factory, which may seem like carrying coals to Newcastle—but the engine is

that good (and cargo space on returning ships is that affordable). The Duratec engine works best in cars weighing around 3,500 pounds. On a 4,300-pounder like the CX-9, it's not going to win any stoplight derbies, even with its six-speed Asin automatic. You'll need about 10 seconds to reach 60 mph, but at lower speeds, the car feels quick; throttle response and pickup is better than with the Ford products. Remember, it's Mazda, not Ford, whose motto is "zoom-zoom." Good Things in PackagesThe Mazda CX-9 comes in three trim levels: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Avoid the entry level Sport CX-9; it lacks the options you want, although it's the only way to get cloth upholstery. Go with the mid-level Touring ($31,730 including freight) or Grand Touring ($33,275). With these, Bluetooth comes standard, and you can order the Touring Assistance Package ($2,500) with a very good Denso navigation system and assistive items such as a backup camera and power rear liftgate, though there are no OnStar-like emergency assistance features, which the package name might suggest. That's a better deal than buying the navigation system alone ($2,100). Every model, even the Sport, lets you add a moonroof and Bose Centerpoint audio system with six-disc CD changer and 10 speakers ($1,760). "Centerpoint" means there's a front speaker that emulates a dialog-channel speaker on home theater systems. (But the optical drive does not play DVD audio discs, which would be another way to get center-channel sounds.) Or you can order a Bose audio/rear entertainment system with a DVD player, a 9-inch LCD, Centerpoint Audio, 11 speakers, a six-disc changer, and a 115-volt outlet ($2,560), so the backseat crowd can bring along a Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox (not an Xbox 360, which sucks down more power than most emerging nations). Mazda and Bose product managers touted the ability of the back-seat DVD system to play 5.1 surround sound movies through the CX-9's speaker package. They're nuts to think you'll use it that way: While the movie sound is awesome, 5.1 just that means there will be five discrete channels of first-class audio plus the subwoofer annoying the front-seat passengers who can't see and may not want to hear what's playing in back. How many times can you listen to "Pirates of the Caribbean"? Fortunately, wireless headphones are included. Also, a line-in jack for music players is located in the center console, but you can't add an Apple iPod adapter.