People carriers are supposed to be boring.
All they’re meant do is take a bunch of people (family members, coworkers, etc.) from point A to point B in comfort and security. And, that’s a good thing. In one way or another, all vehicles are supposed to do something like that. The difference is many vehicles manage to be entertaining to drive while fulfilling their function.
There’s no expectation for a people carrier to be fun to drive. Still, the 2014 Mazda CX-9 manages to do just that.
Despite its people-centric purpose, the CX-9 is still a Mazda. The central philosophy of every vehicle that automaker sends off its line is that driving is fun. So, every Mazda must be, to some extent, a driver’s car.
That central, unifying idea turned the automaker’s fortunes around. While struggling just a few year’s ago, in the last couple model campaigns, Mazda turned out two Car of the Year candidates in the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6.
While the 2014 CX-9 didn’t make as much of an impact as its smaller sister vehicles, it does aspire to being just as fun to drive. With a 3.7 liter, V6 engine, the CX-9 offers 273 horsepower. That’s not enough to blow the SUV down the road at sports car speeds, but it does the job in and around traffic.
Related: 2014 Mazda 6 – A Car for Everyone
A six-speed automatic transmission runs the adequate power to four wheel independent suspension. The result is a vehicle that carries seven people with enough zip and precise steering to provide that little thrill of driving a tight ride.
Its starting MSRP of $29.985 positions it higher than traditional minivans, but below many mid-range SUVs. Regardless of cost, this is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to maintain a sense of fun in their commute while getting those in his or her care home safely.
