Mazda’s CX-9 makes driving extra enjoyable – thanks in large part to a key piece of technology. CX-9’s optional Blind Spot Monitoring system. It’s truly a keen feature. Whenever this crossover SUV is traveling at least 20 mph, the system activates an additional set of ‘watchful eyes’. If a vehicle is in the blind spot on the passenger side, an orange colored icon illuminates in the passenger side mirror. If a vehicle enters the blind spot on the driver’s side, an illuminated icon appears in the driver’s side mirror. If the turn signal is engaged and a vehicle is in the blind spot, there is an audible sound as well as the lighted icon in the side mirror. The three-row, seven-passenger CX-9 uses a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 273 horsepower and 270 pounds-feet of torque. Mating to the engine is a six-speed sport-shift automatic transmission. Grand Touring All-Wheel-Drive CX-9 provides a slew of standard fare items, including a trip computer (new as standard equipment on all CX-9 models for 2009), heated/power front passenger seat, rain sensing wipers, fog lamps and LED tail-lamps, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. Mile per gallon estimates for the AWD version are 15 city and 21 highway. The MSRP of the Grand Touring AWD CX-9 is $35,205.