Zoom Zoom Indeed – A week with the Mazda CX-9

I’m not a superficial woman.
You’re likely to bump into me with my hair in a ponytail, no makeup on and sneakers casually on my feet in places like the mall, at the grocery store and in the school yard.
But just because I’m not a fussy girl, doesn’t mean I don’t like a fancy ride.
There’s something about a pretty car that I really, really like.
And from the moment I laid eyes on the white Mazda CX-9 I was smitten.
The shape and size of the vehicle are instantly appealing. Not too big, Not too small.  The right amount of curves and not too boxy.
I was snapping away photos of the SUV long before I got in to drive it.

Four days in, I’d come to a real surety that this kind of vehicle would meet most of my needs as a busy mom of two.
Here’s what I liked best:
1. Third row fold down into the floor seating and second row fold down seating mean I have the truck I sometimes need on the odd trip to Ikea but the seat room for when I get the carpooling call for soccer practice.

2. It drives like a car but you feel higher up like a truck so you have the perspective and vision without the extra drag on the gas.
3. It’s smooth. Really smooth. Even when the road isn’t. 
4. Things are where I can reach them.One example? The power window buttons are angled on the door in a spot my hand naturally goes to, instead of horizontally.  It sounds silly but the littlest things can make such a difference. I didn’t realize how uncomfortable the conventional spot was until I had something better.
5. It’s not a hard car to keep looking good. Even with the seats folded down I didn’t get the rollaway grocery situation I’ve had in other cars. There’s a great compartment up front that kept my purse tucked away neatly and even the cup holders were more secure meaning I was less likely to end up with coffee on my lap. 

Some things to consider:
* There’s less of a focus on entertaining the kids in the backseat than some of the other cars I’ve tested but if that’s not a key element or one of your must haves you probably won’t even notice.

* I’d worry a bit about third row leg room if I had a family size that dictated we’d need to use that row often. My kids sat back there comfortably but if you’re from a family of long-leggers, it could be an issue.

The nitty-gritty:
What I drove: 2012 Mazda CX-9 GT in Chrystal White Pearl
Suggested retail starts at$45,745
Mileage: City 12.8 L/100km; Highway 9.0L/100km
Engine: 3.7L V6
Standard Equipment and Key Features include: 20″ alloy wheels, dynamic and rollover stability control, traction system control, ABS with EBD, towing package, curtain and side airbags, alarm system, Bluetooth hands free phone system, steering wheel mounted controls, telescopic/tilt steering, 8 way adj. power driver’s seat, rain sensing wipers, xenon headlights, fog lights, blind spot monitoring, driver’s seat memory and Sirius Satellite radio.