1st Place:
Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD
The premium blend of performance, utility, and value.

2nd Place:
Acura MDX
The driving enthusiast's CUV, stalled only by a stiff price tag and a snug third row.

3rd Place:
GMC Acadia SLT AWD
The biggest and roomiest...and the heaviest and the slowest.



FWIW, their impressions pretty much echo mine. http://forums.thecarlounge.net...69330

 

You have test-driven all three vehicles, then? How did that end up happening?

 

I'm happy to see the CX-9 come out on top. And I might be in the minority here but I think, proportionally, it looks better than the CX-7.

Mazda has done well with both vehicles.

 

I'm strongly considering getting the CX-9 for my wife later this year when the lease runs out on the Pathhfinder. She gets a new vehicle @ 2 - 3 yrs and with our little one (and possibly another in the making) we want a new suv/crossover for her often. It looks damn nice on the road and standing still. I've already gotten great pricing on a loaded out pearl and may pull the trigger even sooner. As a huge car buff I must say this vehicle looks, feels, performs much higher than it's price tag!

 

SOrry, I coped and pasted from VWVortex. JWaters posted this, I believe he is also a member here and is looking at a SUV to buy

 

Nice job on the CX-9 for Mazda, took a look last week. However I didn't find it anymore roomier than my MPV. It's third-row is actually useful for adults.

 

I would just go with the MDX. Mazda reliability is spotty,
especially on a large vehicle like this. One of my co-workers
recently bought a CX-7 and it's a big headache for him.

 

I would also pic the MDX but i can't beleive the Mazda came 1st place.. To me it looks much better than the Cx-7 and all for under 30k i think.. THe MDX is priced way over 40k but as they say you get what you pay for right..

 

Not all Mazdas imo, my Mazda has been trouble free these past seven years.

 

So Ford first, Buick last? :-)

 

Not exactly, but you're not far off. The CX-9 is a joint Ford-Mazda design, shared with the Ford Edge and a new, up-coming Lincoln SUV. I can't comment directly on the CX-9, but I have reviewed the CX-7 and overall was not terribly impressed with it.....I much preferred the earlier Mazda Tribute/ Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner.

The GMC Acadia, as you note, is a multi-use GM platform that is shared with the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook....rumors are that Saab may also get a version, but that is not confirmed that I know of. I have not reviewed either of the three, but on the surface, I like the look of the Enclave's interior. GM, though, is noted for cheap interior materials.....sometimes disguised to try and LOOK expensive. Doesn't fool me.


I have several CL member requests for a review of the new 2007 MDX (I did the 2006 last year) and it is next on my list...possibly this weekend. I will post my own write-up of it.

 

Mine, too. We have an '02 MPV & put 68K on it in 5 years. Only thing that went was one of the coils (1 coil per cyl.) and 1 TSB for brake clunk, that's it. Regular fluid changes (@ Merlin, not dealer). My wife likes the MDX & RX, but I thought the new Mazda's do look pretty good.

We'll see what happens in the next year or so; what these new Mazda's are all about

 

Mazdas, in general, have average to better-than-average repair records, somewhat lower today than years ago, before Ford took over. The Miata's reliability, among U.S-market Mazdas, is clearly the best (one of Consumer Reports' top 10), but the Miata is pure Mazda and has NO Ford influence.

 

I have had a few friends here with the CX-7 and no problems. They really wanted the V6 RAV4, but Toyota decided not to sell it here, just the 4 cyl and pricing differences here are huge compared to the U.S.

 

Maybe because of the V6's octane requirements? You yourself know what gas is like in Mexico.