Zoom Zoom for seven with Mazda's 2007 CX-9

Zoom Zoom for seven with Mazda's 2007 CX-9

Mazda had a good year in 2006.

It sold more than 80,000 units, a four per cent increase over 2005 while retaining a five per cent market share.

A lot of this has to go with having the right product at the right time for the Canadian market. That started with the original Protege but also the Tribute that was one of the very first compact SUVs offered in North America. These were followed by the Mazda3 that rewrote the book on compact sedans/hatchbacks and the rest is history.

Anticipating buying trends is something Mazda is very good at, which is why it now offers three vehicles in the small utility segment for 2007. The reason is simple.

Canadians are expected to buy 200,000 this year and again in 2008. Mazda's three models covering the $25,000-$50,000 spread starting with the Tribute SUV that is seen as its entry-level vehicle. With its emphasis on utility, there are a variety of options that allow a wide range of mixing and matching. In the middle is the CX-7 crossover utility vehicle (CUV) that intentionally has a sporty look with turbo-charged engine to match.

At the top end, Mazda is introducing the 2007 CX-9, its first seven-passenger CUV that is aimed specifically at the North American market. Targets for the CX-9 are the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. But being Mazda, performance and handling are priorities and the benchmark here is the BMW X5. Besides Mazda's signature sporty ride, a high quality interior like that of a Volvo was seen as a must as well as multi-functional seating and cargo capacity.

With a platform based on the Mazda6 sedan, the engine chosen is 3.5-litre, quad cam V6 with 263 hp and 246 lb/ft of torque tied to a six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode. Offered in front-wheel-drive format, all-wheel-drive is offered as a $2,000 option.

Suspension is MacPherson struts with coil springs at the front and a multi-link independent set up, again with coil springs, at the rear. Four-wheel discs with ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution are standard.

This is the first Mazda to be equipped with Roll Stability Control (RCS). It improves on stability control by sensing when a rollover is commencing and corrects it. This will happen before the driver will sense it. It's a major advancement as far as I am concerned.

There are two versions of the CX-9 beginning with the GS at $39,995. Besides the AWD, a power moonroof at $1,000 is the other main option. Among the equipment in the GS are power windows, locks and (heated) mirrors, rain sensing wipers, three-zone climate control and 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires.

The GT starts at $43,995 and features bright, 20-inch alloys, Xenon headlights and loads of leather with wood trim. There's also driver's seat memory and soothing blue indirect lighting.

The GT also has three optional packages starting with the Luxury grouping at $1,000 or $1,495 with the power rear liftgate coming later in the year. Luxury includes a premium Bose sound system with 10 speakers and a six-disc in-dash changer. The $3,235 Navi package includes a navigation system as well as a rear-view backup TV camera and Bluetooth cellular integration, the first time it has been offered on a Mazda vehicle. The last is the $2,480 Rear Entertainment System with headphones along with 11 speakers (one imbedded in the headliner) and 5.1 surround system. There is also a handy 115-volt outlet at the rear for gamers and the cupholder is shaped for video game controllers.

What probably will prove the outstanding selling feature of the CX-9, besides its handling and punchy engine, is the seating.

The 60-40 split second row for three has five inches of fore-and-aft slide travel and a reclining backrest. Accessing the third row requires no contortions because there is nearly 26 inches of space between the folded second-row seat and the C-pillar.

Even with the third row 50/50 split seats occupied, the CX-9 provides 17.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Both second- and third-row seats fold flat to allow additional storage all the way up to the back of the front seats and there is also a storage cubby under the cargo floor at the rear.

To release the second row seat in order to enter the third row, it takes one simple hand motion to unlatch the seat and move it forward. Likewise, a strap attached behind the third row seat's backrest serves as both a release for folding the seat and a means of pulling it back erect again.

What Mazda has done is combine the soul of a sportscar with seating for seven that you can drive across the country and arrive relaxed and happy at the other end.

Think of it as three rows of zoom, zoom zoom.

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