The upside of seven-passenger SUVs with extra cargo space was driven home to me in a major way on a recent trip to Northern California. When my husband, our two friends, and all of our luggage piled into a five-seat SUV, the effect was something akin to the “Beverly Hillbillies” mode of transportation.
Indeed, I volunteered to sit on the roof of the car (let’s keep the make and model confidential for now; really, they’re unimportant) as the Granny character famously did in the classic 1960s TV sitcom. You know your husband and friends love you when they don’t take you up on such an offer despite traveling 100 miles with gear under your feet, a suitcase under each arm, and books, CDs and bottled water stashed in every nook and cranny.
Sorry. I digress.
| 2011 Mazda CX-9 |
| » Engine: 3.7-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve V-6, 273 horsepower |
| » Transmission: 6-speed automatic |
| » MSRP: From $29,135 |
If you are among the families that regularly travel with a posse and gear, you likely understand why a seven-seat SUV is heaven for you.
Read reviews written by critics at Car and Driver, Edmunds and other major auto magazines and you’ll see they give the 2011 Mazda CX-9 top ratings.
The reason boils down to performance. Without exception, guests who were passengers in the Mazda CX-9 during my weeklong test drive couldn’t stop remarking on the smooth — some might say silky — ride.
No matter what you read, though, this SUV looks every bit of its 200-inch length and 76-inch width.
But that doesn’t mean the SUV is unattractive. It’s got the smooth curves, slanted windshield, sharp nose and flared fenders — and let’s not forget the dual exhaust — that give it a muscular look.
Once inside, the look is reminiscent of a luxury sedan with three-zone climate control, speed-sensing automatic door locks, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, Bose high-end stereo.
What’s arguably its best feature, though, is how well the interior space is allocated. There’s plentiful leg and head room and 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with all three rows of seats up. Various seating configurations allow for up to a maximum 100.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
Cramped seating is hilarious in sitcoms. Leave it there. Enjoy space, luxury appointments, and a powerful and responsive ride in the Mazda CX-9.
