Best 2009 crossover/SUV ($35,000-$65,000)

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Mazda CX-9

John LeBlanc

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

BEST: Mazda CX-9

Customers in the highly-competitive, mid-priced utility-vehicle market are a tough crowd.

Hey, they "only" want minivan-passenger room, a measure of off-roading and towing capabilities, and car-like on-road manners.

The least compromising choice is the seven-passenger Mazda CX-9 crossover.

Its first two rows are roomy for five on long road trips. With the final row folded, the CX-9 can handle loads of stuff for a family of four or five. And it can tow 1,588 kg of sailboat, popup camper or Sea-Doo.

The CX-9's lone powerplant, a 3.7 L V6 engine with 273 hp and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, is merely competitive on numbers, but shines for its smoothness. As does the six-speed automatic it's attached to.

As per Mazda's sporty brand pretensions, the CX-9 takes a curve better than any of its non-luxury crossover rivals.

Unlike a Honda Pilot, say, the Mazda's steering is clear, definitive and linear. And the CX-9's ride is well controlled, without the floatiness of a Ford Flex or Chevrolet Traverse.

Front-wheel-drive '09 CX-9 GS models start at $37,995. Which as a bit pricy compared to mainstream offerings. But none can offer the Mazda's combination of stylish good looks, rich and classy-looking interior trimmings, and athletic road manners.

In fact, loaded (all-wheel-drive, leather, DVD and nav systems) CX-9 GTs are just under $56,000 – thousands less than a comparably equipped Q7, which this Mazda strongly competes against.

NEXT BEST: Toyota Sequoia

Like the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup its based on, either a 276 hp 4.7 L or an optional 5.7 L 381 hp V8 are available under the Sequoia's hood. Properly equipped, Toyota's biggest SUV can tow more than twice that of most mid-sized crossovers, up to 3,990 kg, and comes as either a seven- or eight-passenger model..

You could have gotten a plain-Jane 2009 Toyota Sequoia for s little as $44,675. But push the pricing boundaries of this category, and a loaded Sequoia Platinum still makes the cut at $59,900. With its second-row heated captain's seats, and 14-speaker DVD entertainment system, the Sequoia is like a movie theatre within an SUV.

ALSO CONSIDER:

Land Rover LR2 ($44,900): Mini-Range Rover looks and off-roading abilities.

Infiniti FX50 ($52,300): Bang-for-the-buck; flat cornering; you only need to seat five.

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