Is Mazda’s CX-9 too clever by half?

Combine that with a still faltering economy and especially rugged days in the auto industry, and you understand why automakers are almost consumed with continually reinventing or at least freshening their vehicles.

That must be the case with the Mazda CX-9. The automaker proudly — and rightly — crows that the crossover was an “instant success” when it hit the market in 2007. The Automotive Lease Guide just named the crossover third in its class, and past kudos have included Motor Trend awarding the vehicle a “Best Buy” designation.

There’s no question there are plenty of positives with the CX-9. Though many midsize SUVs have boxy, some say utilitarian, looks, this crossover has a sophisticated, muscular design. The smooth front end and steeply raked windshield are reminiscent of Mazda’s sports cars. Adding to the sports look are the sleek back and chrome dual exhausts.

This year’s models also include bolder five-point grilles, front combination lamps and fog lamps, sleeker side mirrors and rear combination lamps that include a new red lens at the bottom, which adds to the vehicles’ overall sophistication.

There’s clearly a reason that anectodotally at least many mistake it for a Lexus or Infiniti at first glance.

Those who ride in the car may well keep that impression, too. The crossover’s 273-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 engine is nimble and powerful. Mazda credits advanced features — including a high 10.3-to-1 compression ratio that maximizes efficiency and power output while the throttle is electronically controlled for instantaneous response — with the power. An Aisin-supplied six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission with manual mode keeps fuel mileage at a reasonable 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway.

But like a plastic surgery addict that should have stopped one or two procedures earlier, the CX-9 may be just a bit too sophisticated for many drivers.

It’s true that the inside is still very plush, with the feel of top-quality materials on the seats — the ones in the model I drove had leather trim — and other modern nods including piano-black inset on the steering wheel and cool blue illumination. Safety and high-tech features including navigation and audio abound.

Yet, that’s the problem.

In designing the car, it’s clear the auto-loving engineers had a field day with all of the bells and whistles they put in this seven-passenger vehicle. What that means for the driver, though, is constantly looking through the owners’ manual to determine why the steering wheel immobilizer won’t unlock and why the intruder alert horns continually sound.

Some will say — again rightly — that these are minor problems that drivers will overcome as they become more familiar with the vehicle.

That could certainly be true. But we all know people who have bought cars and had to shut down or not use many of the too-sophisticated features even though they ultimately paid for them.

With a suggested retail price starting at just below $30,000, the Mazda CX-9 offers a lot for the money. The caveat to those buying it is just to be sure that you want everything you’re getting.