Motor Trend names Mazda CX-9 2008 SUV of the Year

Isn't the Mazda CX 9 and Ford Edge the same SUV?

The word is "aren't" not isn't.

no they are not. I have a CX-9, they are different in size and the Mazda has the Asain(?) transmission. It has also been tuned to handle more like a Mazda than a Ford and is a little stiffer as well.It's about a foot longer too. The interior design is much nicer on the Mazda too. Overall, for the price, it is a great vehicle.

Actually for 08 the CX-9 has a new 3.7L V6..the Edge, MKX, and 2009 Flex still use the 3.5L V6

yah, how nice of them to change the engine 4 months after I get mine. That's BS on the part of the manufacturer and makes my CX-9 less desirable on trade in.

It happens to every car. Usually not so quickly, but there is always an update during a model cycle. They introduced the updated S4 Cabriolet less than two years after I got mine.

The CX-9 is a very nice vehicle inside and out. The added power of the 3.7 is just icing on the cake. The decision of MT was unanimous. Even with the 3.5 it probably would have won.

The Mazda6 and 5 are showing thier age. But the MX-5, RX-7, CX-7, CX-9, Mazda3 are all at the top of their game. Mazda exterior design is on a roll, watch for the copycats to come out of the woodwork. I have shopped around a great many vehicles, and Mazda does really offer a well rounded package that has considerably more value (to me) than anything offered by Toyota or Honda. I am on my second Mazda vehicle and the quality/reliability has been exceptional. Regardless of whether you want to buy import or domestic, Mazda should be on your list, after all, 33% of the profits go to Ford. That should make domestic fans warm and fuzzy. Just my two cents. Mazda has me hooked.

Agreed, I have had a similar experience owning a Mazda3 and now a Mazdaspeed3.

I think you meant RX-8...

I predict the 2008 CTS will be Motor Trends Car of the Year

Same here, and deservedly so...

Come on CTS-V!

Gurantee you it will be the 08 Accord because in a head to head it beat last years winner the Camry. Plus car of the year usually goes to consumer brands.

and Cadillac is NOT a consumer brand?

If not, please tell us what it is?

Inquiring minds want to know...

The Accord has won a ton of those, and I'm sure it will be in C/D's 10 Best this year (as usual), but I think the CTS is a stronger candidate for Motor Trend's COTY.

Great job by both Mazda and MT...

This vehicle not only looks great, but drives very well indeed.

Love the work Mazda's been doing this decade.

great alternative to other high end luxury SUVS.

when will the RX7 be revived?

I'm thinking - not any time soon, as the market for 2-seat sport cars is simply not strong enough to justify it.

And Mazda proved that utilizing the RX platform for a sport sedan is a far better idea with the RX-8.

Not to start rumors, but you might want to entertain the idea if a 3-seater for the next iteration of the RX-Series... a la McLaren F1.

Edge and CX-9 are mostly the same platform but different transmissions, 4WD, and engines.
They are also structurally different;
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety scores the Edge “good”.
The CX-9 scores “marginal”.

Very nice looking SUV, Now if they could offer a diesel in it, that way they could compete against the Q7 3.0 TDi and GL320 CDi

I'll give Mazda credit. The CX-9 is a nice vehicle for the price, especially a putting bigger engine in for '08, smart move.

It's a very nice SUV, but I don't understand the comparisons to luxury SUVs. It's not "high-end;" it's just better than everyone else in this price bracket. Its closest luxury competitor is probably the Acura MDX.

The MDX is a techno tour de force the CX-9 cannot compare. MDX has option heated rear seats, self leveling xenon headlights,traffic navigation, LED rare tailamps ,adjustable ride comfort suspension, SH-AWD and a raw 300 HP. When the CX-9 comes close to matching any of these features then you can compare it to the best SUV for the money. Why you didn't mention the RX 350 also the MDX is more expensive after all?