The Mazda CX-9 is a swift and stylish alternative to a mid-size SUV or a minivan.It's called a crossover vehicle, meaning it combines the cargo capacity of an SUV with the fuel economy, ride quality, and handling of a car.

The CX-9 can carry seven six-footers, thanks to a third-row seat designed with adults in mind.The surroundings are handsome.We found it's easy for a 5-foot, 6-inch woman to climb into the CX-9.Yet the seating position is high enough that the driver looks over at, not up to, drivers in big SUVs.The CX-9 is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, providing a nice option for those who worry about snowy travel in hilly areas.Properly equipped, the CX-9 is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds.

What sets the CX-9 apart are its sporty looks and the road manners to back them up.The CX-9 responds quickly to driver input, feeling surprisingly enthusiastic about travel on a serpentine two-lane.Performance is provided by a 3.7-liter V6 engine delivering 273 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.This refined, 24-valve power plant was designed by Ford and is built in Ohio before being shipped to Japan where the CX-9 is assembled.It works with an impressive six-speed, Japanese-made automatic transmission that can be shifted manually if the driver is interested in some frisky motoring.

Safety has not been forgotten, either; in fact, kudos to Mazda for equipping even the least-expensive CX-9 model with electronic stability control (which help the driver maintain control on slippery surfaces), roll stability control, and air curtains, which provide head protection in a side-impact crash.The CX-9 has received the U.S.government's highest possible ratings (five stars) in frontal and side impact crashes, and four-star ratings for rollover resistance.

The Mazda CX-9 was introduced as a 2007 model.For 2009, the Blind Spot Monitoring system, which alerts the driver to vehicles lurking in those hard-to-see, over-the-shoulder locations, comes standard on CX-9 Grand Touring models.

All Mazda vehicles come with a roadside assistance program, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, throughout the United States and Canada.All 2009 models come with a trip computer and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free cell phone operation.