Mazda CX-9
Overall: Pick
PICK: Backing up some of the cool cars Mazda displayed at the Detroit show in January, Mazda proves that it is one hot company with the CX-9 crossover. It has three rows of seats and, like the Saturn PreVue, has an aerodynamic design and real curves in the sheet metal. One drawback: Third-row passengers will be resting their heads against the rear windshield. It's cramped back there. Still, Mazda's CX-7 and CX-9 are starting to blaze a path for future SUV styling. -- David Welch
PICK: Welch is in agreement with me on this car too. Mazda is turning out better looking vehicles than its corporate parent, Ford, and this SUV is no exception. The lines are excellent for a vehicle with three rows of seats. The egress and ingress points of the car are exceptionally good. This is as good a substitute for a minivan as I've seen. -- David Kiley