2022 Mazda CX-9 Touring Plus

The CX-9 is Mazda's three-row family SUV, the one you cross-shop with the Highlander and Pilot when you want something that drives more like a car. It's genuinely fun to drive for a big SUV, with quick steering and a chassis that stays composed on winding roads. The ride is on the firm side, which is the trade-off for that sharp handling, but it stays comfortable on long trips. The cabin is a cut above the class, with high-quality materials and a clean, driver-focused layout that feels more premium than the price suggests. The Touring Plus adds a power liftgate, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a larger 10.25-inch display over the Touring trim. Its 2.5L I4 makes 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic to all-wheel drive, and it returns 23 mpg combined.