The crossover SUV is now firmly established as a genre of modern automobile. By combining the spaciousness of a large SUV with more pleasant, sedan-like handling and decent fuel economy that does not give budget conscious drivers an apoplexy, the crossover has become firmly entrenched in the car market. The Mazda CX9 fits squarely into this category, perhaps even epitomizing it. The CX9 is powered by a 3.7 liter V6 engine which produces a rated 273 horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque. Front wheel drive is standard and all wheel drive is an available option for all trim levels. All models have a six speed automatic transmission.

The Mazda CX9 comes in three trim levels, Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. The basic Sport trim features 18'' alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a multifunction tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with built-in audio and cruise control, keyless entry, Bluetooth, anti-lock brakes, automatic stability control and side airbags. Upgrading to the Touring trim gets you heated leather seats and an additional center armrest. The Grand Touring features 20'' alloy wheels, xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, electroluminescent gauges, blue LED indirect lighting and keyless ignition/entry. Options include Bose stereo, nav system, a backup camera, towing package, sunroof, power rear hatch, blind-spot warning system and rear DVD entertainment system.

The CX9 in all trims seats 7 adults, although the third row of seats does have somewhat limited headroom. With the second and third row of seats folded, the vehicle can hold a whopping 101 cubic feet of cargo.

The CX9 is a pleasant handling vehicle. The steering provides surprisingly sporty responses, while the four point suspension ensures a car-like ride under most circumstances, albeit it is a bit stiff.

The intangible quality of styling is well executed in the CX9. Despite the car's large, full SUV-like size, its lines still manage to project a sleek and athletic feel to the viewer.

If you are interested in the CX9 or other vehicles from Mazda, Burlington Mazda in Burlington, Ontario is a great place to start. They can be found on the web at http://www.burlingtonmazda.com/, or you can join their Facebook Fan Page (Burlington Mazda), and Twitter account (@burlingtonmazda).