2010 Mazda CX-9: Best Crossover Vehicle in Its Class

Move over German crossover vehicles, you've got a competitor in town: the 2010 Mazda CX-9. While the brand may not evoke thoughts of luxury and ingenuity, jump into one of these masterpieces for a test drive and you'll reconsider. From the sporty and sleek redesigned exterior to the upgraded interior materials from their flagship 2007 model to the smooth ride and tight steering, this car has got it all. It will transition from a functional family car to a sexy night on the town without missing a beat.

The Exterior
Based on Mazda's press release on the 2010 CX-9, the model promises a bolder and more sophisticated design--indeed it has delivered. Since its silhouette looks strong and sturdy while maintaining a sleek flow throughout the body, it can easily be mistaken for a luxury brand name car. The side windows also are wide and wrap all around, enhancing the sleek flow, and also allowing for a clear view from inside the car, diminishing blind spots while creating a feel of airiness.

The Interior and the Drive
With the use of upgraded materials and subtle stitching for the leather seats, chrome accents, and smaller print on their dials, the interior feels rich and beautiful. Just like its exterior, it has a sleek flow. The second and third row has an economical pull and release feature that will allow the seats to flatten against the floor when you're carrying cargo. According to Edmunds.com, with the second and third row folded flat, the car allows for up to 101 cubic feet of cargo space which allows for a weekend of transporting materials for home improvement.The second row sliding feature also allows for more leg room in the third row, enhancing the comfort level for long rides. Even as a third row passenger, with the seemingly taller ceiling, he or she will not feel claustrophobic.

According to Mazda's 2010 press release on the CX-9, as a passenger, you'll enjoy a quiet ride since the CX-9 model is also equipped with:

-Acoustical foam filler applied to internal cavities to block noise transmission from underbody into cabin areas.

-Highly rigid damping sheet applied to large expanses of the floor pan to eliminate resonance and to block road noise.

While the passengers are comfortable and relaxed, the driver gets all the fun in maneuvering through town in this 273-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine. There is power and zip to this crossover, so no matter who you're driving or to where you're driving, it is always a fun ride.

Safety Features
In the 2010 model, Mazda engineers enhanced their safety features worthy of receiving the highest rating of five stars from the U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition, there are numerous anti-rollover features. To increase safety, Mazda also includes a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system in all their CX-9's. This system alerts the driver with a blinking of a light on the side mirror when there is a car in their blind spot. When the driver is ready to change lanes and clicks the signal lever, the system will beep if there is a car in the blind spot. For the price of this car, this is an addition that other luxury cars may not have.

This crossover really has it all. With an MSRP starting at $29,135, you can't get better than the CX-9.

Sources:

www.edmunds.com
www.mazdausamedia.com