2008 Mazda CX-9 Trims and Specs

The front-wheel-drive 2008 Mazda CX-9 Sport is a longer brother to the CX-7. A crossover with a sporty look and sport-tuned independent and multilink rear suspension, the 2008 CX-9 Sport gets a more refined engine this year. The 3.7-liter, 24-valve, DOHC V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission with sport shift deliver 270 hp and 273 ft-lbs of torque. A rear spoiler and dual exhaust hint at the sport pretensions of this family car. Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, the CX-9 Sport earns five-star safety ratings thanks to standard 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control with rollover protection, and dual front-side and side head impact airbags for all three rows. An auto-dimming rearview mirror can be added, along with a new rearview camera.

Both second and third rows split-fold flat, and the second row slides back and forth to adjust for legs or cargo. Its sliders are flush, making access to the third row less dangerous. The cargo area features tie-downs and expands from 17 to 100 cubic feet. A roof rack, cargo net, and cargo cover cost extra. Intermittent front and rear wipers are standard. Other equipment that comes with the 2008 CX-9 Sport includes power windows, locks, and mirrors, remote entry, wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls for the CD player, and three-zone climate control, so all passengers can ride in comfort. An external temperature display and privacy glass are other nice conveniences, and leather trim adorns the wheel, shifter, and consoles. Options include a sunroof, 8-way power driver's seat, remote start, satellite radio, a 6-CD changer with MP3 playback, and a DVD player.

This relatively new crossover SUV, which won Motor Trend's SUV of the Year award, gets 10 more horsepower in its powertrain for 2008. A 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine delivers 270 hp and 273 ft-lbs of torque, paired with a 6-speed shiftable automatic. Riding on a rear multilink suspension, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 Sport AWD features Active Torque split, which switches into rear-wheel drive when it senses slippery road conditions. A mechanical center differential and limited-slip center and rear differential are included with the AWD. 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, and traction and stability control with rollover protection earn a five-star safety rating (four stars for rollover). Other safety features include dual front-side airbags, side head bags for all three rows, a tire monitor, and electronic brakeforce distribution. New for 2008 is an optional rearview camera. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is also available.

Seating seven, the CX-9's spacious interior includes nearly 40 inches of second-row legroom and a larger third row that fits two adults. Both rows fold flat, and there is a new power-fold feature for the third row. The second row slides back and forth and also reclines. Expanding from 17 to 100 cubic feet, the cargo area comes with tie-downs, and a net and hard cover can be added. A roof rack is available as an add-on. Cupholders and climate control extend to all rows in the 2008 CX-9 Sport AWD.

Standard equipment includes power windows, locks, and mirrors, remote entry, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls for the CD player, an MP3 jack, intermittent front and rear wipers, and a temperature and compass display. Leather trim accents the interior. Extras bundled in packages include a sunroof, DVD player, 6-CD changer, satellite radio, a security system, and an 8-way power driver's seat.

Borrowing its multilink rear suspension from the Mazda6, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 Touring is a sporty, fun crossover that's also practical in terms of space. Its rear spoiler, dual exhaust, 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, and 3.7-liter, 270-hp DOHC V6 that hits 0-60 in 7.7 seconds are clues to its sporty nature. Its three rows of seats that easily split-fold flat (including a now-standard power-fold for the third row) and cargo area that expands from 17 to 100 cubic feet are clues to its family-oriented interior. Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, the front-wheel-drive 2008 CX-9 Touring also gets high safety marks, thanks to standard 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction and stability control, rollover protection, a tire monitor, and dual front-side and side head airbags for all three rows. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and rearview camera are optional.

The cargo area comes with tie-downs, and a net and hard cover are optional. A roof rack is also available, along with a towing package. The CX-9 Touring can tow 2,000 pounds normally and 3,000 with the package. Adding onto the base Sport, the Touring gives you an 8-way power driver's seat and 4-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and Bluetooth. This is in addition to wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a CD player with MP3 jack, tri-zone climate control, full power features, temperature and compass display, remote entry, and leather accents. There are plenty of options to add conveniences, such as a DVD player, navigation system, satellite radio, a 6-CD player, remote start, and a security system. A sunroof is also available. The 2008 CX-9 Touring adds a bit of luxury to Mazda's functional-yet-fun utility crossover.

Although it's a longer version of the CX-7, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 Touring AWD sits on its own Mazda6 multilink rear suspension and features three rows of seats for seven passengers. The Active Torque split AWD comes with a limited-slip center and rear differential and automatically distributes torque to the rear wheels when it senses front-wheel slippage. A 3.7-liter, 270-hp, 24-valve DOHC V6 gets 273 ft-lbs of torque and is paired with a 6-speed shiftable automatic. 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires are standard, with an option for 20-inch chrome wheels. Safety features include 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, a tire monitor, traction and stability control, rollover protection, and dual front-side and side head airbags for all three rows. A rearview camera is a new option this year, joining an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

At nearly 200 inches long, the interior of the 2008 CX-9 Touring AWD is spacious, and the second row reclines and slides back and forth to accommodate longer legs. Both rows split-fold flat (a power-fold third row is new this year) to expand the 17-cubic-foot trunk to 100 cubic feet (47 with the second row up). An optional roof rack adds more storage, and an optional tow package lets the CX-9 haul up to 3,000 pounds. Cupholders and climate control are standard for all rows. The Touring trim adds leather seats, an 8-way power driver's seat and 4-way passenger seat, Bluetooth, and heated front seats to existing equipment. This includes wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a CD player with MP3 jack, intermittent front and rear wipers, temperature and compass display, remote entry, and leather interior trim. Satellite radio, a DVD player, and a 6-CD changer are available entertainment options, along with a navigation system, remote start, a sunroof, and an alarm. A cargo net and hard cover are also available.

As the top-line trim in this new full-size crossover, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring offers a lot of premium features. This front-wheel-drive crossover seats seven in three rows, with both rear rows split-folding flat. The second row reclines and slides back and forth on flush sliders that won't cause tripping. With all seats down, the 2008 CX-9 Grand Touring holds 100 cubic feet. The cargo area features tie-downs, and a net and cover are optional extras. A trailer hitch is included, but a tow package and roof rails cost extra. A 273-hp, 3.7-liter, DOHC V6 and 6-speed shiftable automatic sit under the hood.

Traction and stability control, ABS brakes, a tire monitor, rollover protection, and dual front-side and side head airbags for all rows are standard. The Grand Touring adds rain-sensing wipers, xenon HID headlamps, automatic headlights, foglights, and mirrors with turn signals. A rearview camera is a new option this year, along with an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A new blind-spot warning system is available only on the Grand Touring.

A rear spoiler and dual exhaust match the sport-tuned suspension in the 2008 CX-9 Grand Touring, which also has 20-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires. In addition to the front 8-way and 4-way power seats, leather upholstery, heated seats, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, tri-zone climate control, remote entry, Bluetooth, and full power features, the Grand Touring features a security system, driver's memory settings, heated mirrors, and wood and alloy accents in conjunction with the leather trim on the doors, dash, shifter, and console. Options include a power liftgate, DVD player, navigation system, satellite radio, remote start, a sunroof, and a garage opener.

Although it's got a sport-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, extra chrome trim, and dual exhaust pipes, the 2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD handles expertly in tough road situations, thanks to Active Torque AWD. This system can automatically revert to front- or rear-wheel drive for better traction when necessary. 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires and limited-slip center and rear differentials also help. Power comes from a 3.7-liter, 273-hp DOHC V6 and 6-speed shiftable automatic, which can tow up to 3,000 pounds with the optional tow package. But the 2008 CX-9 Grand Touring AWD is still a smart family crossover with high safety ratings. Its standard traction and stability control with rollover protection, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, dual front-side and three rows of side head airbags, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights with xenon HID lamps, foglights, and mirrors with turn signals all help it earn high marks from the Insurance Institute. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and new backup camera are optional.

Three-driver memory settings for the 8-way power driver's seat join the list of standard features, along with a security system, wood and alloy trim, and heated mirrors. Full power features include remote entry and a 4-way passenger seat. Wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, intermittent front and rear wipers, tri-zone climate controls, reclining second-row seats that slide back and forth, and a temperature and compass display are other nice conveniences. An MP3 jack is standard, as are two cupholders per row. The crossover seats seven, and with both rear rows split-folded flat, the cargo area holds 100 cubic feet (17 with all seats up). A roof rack is optional, as are a hard cargo cover and a cargo net. The smooth ride, car-like handing, and interior space are highlights, but the CX-9's 15/21 mpg estimates are disappointing. Options include a DVD player, satellite radio, 6-CD changer, sunroof, a power liftgate, remote start, and a navigation system.