The Mazda CX-9 is a mid-size, crossover SUV that Mazda says is “engineered (with) the soul of a sports car...deftly blending sporty driving spirit with seven-passenger SUV practicality.” Aimed at young couples and families who look for a higher level of performance and handling from a vehicle, the CX-9 shares its platform with the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, but is larger than either of its siblings.

Here is a summary of the changes to the 2008 Mazda CX-9:
• New 3.7-liter V-6 engine with more power
• New blind spot information system optional on top trim level

The 2008 Mazda CX-9 is offered in Sport, Touring and Grand Touring trim, with front- or all-wheel drive. The CX-9 Touring model adds heated outside mirrors, leather upholstery, a heated power 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, a power 4-way adjustable front passenger’s seat, an armrest for the second-row seat, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and slight upgrades to interior trim. The Grand Touring includes 20-inch wheels, fog lights, chrome exterior trim, Xenon headlights, side marker lights in the outside mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, indirect cabin lighting, electroluminescent gauges, silver and woodtone interior trim, keyless entry and ignition, memory for the driver’s settings, and an anti-theft perimeter alarm.

Options are generally bundled in packages. The CX-9 Sport can be outfitted with a power driver’s seat. The CX-9 Touring and Grand Touring can include an Assistance package with a navigation system, a reversing camera, a power tailgate, and keyless entry and ignition (on Touring); and with a Towing package that bumps capacity to 3,500 pounds. The Grand Touring is the only CX-9 offered with the blind spot monitoring system. All three trim levels can be equipped with a power moonroof, a Bose Centerpoint premium audio system, a rear seat DVD entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, and Crystal White Pearl paint.

The 2008 Mazda CX-9 is powered by a standard 3.7-liter V-6 engine. This engine makes 273 horsepower at 6250 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm, running on regular unleaded fuel. A six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode drives the front or all four wheels.

Standard safety features on the 2008 Mazda CX-9 include six airbags: dual front, dual front side-impact, and side curtains with roll-sensing technology for all three rows of seats. Additionally, the CX-9 is equipped with antilock brakes, stability control with rollover sensing technology, and traction control. A reversing camera is optional on Touring and Grand Touring models, and a blind spot monitoring system is optional on Grand Touring.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2008 Mazda CX-9 competes against other mid-size multi-activity vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Edge, GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Veracruz, Saturn Outlook, and Toyota Highlander.

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