The 2008 Mazda CX-9 is an entry from Mazda into a dying market, but it is a revitalizing and new take on the minivan, and is well worth taking a second look at. Minivan sales have been declining very steeply over the last few years, and automakers that are looking to corner what remains of that market are realizing two things. To be truly competitive, they need to make a unique crossover vehicle and not just copy their competitors, Ford Freestyle for example, and secondly that they need to be as innovative as possible with our traditional conceptions of what we expect in a van. Mazda has succeeded admirably with the CX-9. This isn't your parent's minivan, and it is actually a great car.

The first thing is that the Mazda CX-9 just doesn't drive like a minivan. It doesn't feel unwieldy or awkward in any way, and flies through corners like a luxury sedan. It is also available in AWD, which is just part of its crossover appeal. Many of the people that used to buy minivans have purchased SUVs instead in the last few years so adding features like the AWD starts to bring that market segment back home to the van.

The vehicle has a V6 engine that gets 273 hp. This gives you plenty of power for getting around, but it is not super efficient at that gas station. 16Mpg in the city is not the best, and with rising gas prices that is a factor that you may have to consider before purchasing this vehicle.

The CX-9 is very roomy in the interior, addressing the needs of traditional minivan customers. A large reason those vehicles became so popular is because people wanted vehicles to take on trips with large amounts of storage, and that could tow as well. The CX-9 has it all. It can tow up to 3500lbs, and when you fold the seats down you have more storage than you might know what to do with. But, you get all this in a package that is so much more attractive, even sexy, than a minivan ever could be. The adjective sexy has in fact probably NEVER been applied to a minivan, but it certainly could be to the CX-9.

When you get right down to it, that might be the largest appeal of the vehicle. There are other vehicles that are more powerful, with larger engines and better AWD capability that make them a much stronger vehicle. There are vehicles that can tow much more, and store much more inside of them as well. If power is what you really need, buy an SUV. If room and towing capacity is what you need, buy a traditional minivan. If however, you want a vehicle that has lots of room, and enough power for your everyday needs, but is still unique and attractive, then the Mazda CX-9 can be a great pick for you. We live in a world where so many vehicles look so similar that the standard consumer can't even tell them apart anymore, and finding any vehicle that has a little bit of exterior personality is a really great thing, and the 2008 Mazda CX-9 certainly has that.