Mazda CX-9

Craving some zoom-zoom in your kid carrier? Mazda’s got just the ticket. The CX-9 provides a healthy dose of driving pleasure while seating seven in a tastefully styled cabin. The 3.7-liter V-6 delivers plenty of passing power, the six-speed automatic offers manual gear selection, and steering response is sharp and communicative. Fuel economy is a bit disappointing compared to more modern rivals, but we think it’s a small price to pay for a family hauler that behaves like a sporty hatchback.