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Among the newest crop of family-size crossovers, the Mazda CX-9 stands out as one of the best, even though it’s not a vehicle that gets a lot of publicity and ends up on a large number of consumers’ shopping lists.

This seven-passenger midsize model has received a number of accolades, including one of the top awards – 2008 North American Truck of the Year at the Detroit auto show.

The 2009 CX-9 plays in a crowded field that also includes such import-brand stalwarts as the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.

But this year the competitors also include a new seven-passenger crossover from Ford, the Flex, as well as Chevrolet’s new eight-passenger Traverse, which is one of a family of four large crossovers in the same General Motors family. Mazda also sells the smaller CX-7, a five-passenger crossover.

Among all this competition, however, the CX-9 can hold its ground. This is a vehicle that combines large measures of style and performance into a package that not only has great curb appeal, but also is quite fun to drive.

A utility vehicle that’s fun to drive? Yes, indeed, and you don’t have to buy a premium brand such as the Porsche Cayenne or BMW X5 to get such an animal.

Having said that, however, the ’09 CX-9 we tested came with a total sticker of $40,135 (including freight and options), which clearly pushes it toward the prices of some of those premium models.

Ours was the top-of-the-line, all-wheel-drive Grand Touring model, whose base price is $35,205 (plus $670 freight). With front-wheel drive, this version begins at $33,805.

But the base Sport model begins at $29,820, and the range of pricing for this vehicle is in line with its main competitors – all of which are pushing into the premium segment with their uplevel models.

The middle trim level of the CX-9 is the Touring model, with a base price of $31,715, and all-wheel drive is available on all three levels. With the Sport, the all-wheel-drive version starts at $31,200, and the Touring with all-wheel drive is $33,115.

Despite the price differential among the three trim levels, the good news is that all models come with the same 3.7-liter V-6 engine, which cranks out an impressive 273 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque.

That gives the CX-9 quite sporty performance, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy isn’t quite as good as you’ll find on some of the CX-9’s competitors, however. Our all-wheel-drive model was EPA rated at 15 mpg city/21 highway, and the front-drive versions are 16/22.

In comparison, the Chevy Traverse gets 17 city/24 highway with two-wheel drive, and 16/23 with all-wheel drive.

And among the seven-passenger models that are midsize or larger, only the Highlander offers a more-economical four-cylinder engine, which was added to the lineup for 2009 after having been discontinued just a year earlier. The four-cylinder was brought back in response to this year’s higher gas prices, but since they have dropped so dramatically this fall, fuel costs aren’t quite as instrumental in the sales process as they were in the middle of July.

If prices spike back up again – or I should say when they spike again – Mazda might have to consider dropping a four-cylinder into the CX-9. The automaker has a nice one available – the same 2.5-liter that’s offered in the Mazda 6 sedan, upon whose architecture the CX-9 is loosely based. In the sedan, that engine is rated at 21 city/30 highway, although with the extra weight of the CX-9, it would be that high in the crossover.

The CX-9’s underpinnings also are in common with those of the Ford Edge, a five-passenger crossover that isn’t available with the third row of seating that comes in the Mazda.

Besides its great looks and performance, the CX-9 has been maximized for safety as well. It earned the top rating of five stars in front- and side-impact crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as the top rating of “Good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for front and side crashes.

Safety features include electronic stability control with traction control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, front seat-mounted side air bags, and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows.

Mazda says the CX-9 is aimed at “young couples and modern families,” but also is “ideal” for older empty-nesters who “pursue an active lifestyle.” To many of us older empty nesters, “active lifestyle” means taking trips to the Fort Worth Zoo or Six Flags with the grandkids, who have plenty of space in the back of the CX-9.

For 2009, some changes to the CX-9 include the addition of a standard trip computer on all models, Bluetooth phone capability for the Sport model, Sirius satellite radio added to the packages that bring such other extras as a moon roof, Bose audio upgrade or rear-seat entertainment system (to help keep the kids quiet en route to those fun destinations).

Also added were heated seats and heated outside mirrors to the Sport power seat package, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink universal garage opener to the standard equipment on the Grand Touring model.

Mazda’s Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive system is intended mostly for on-road operation, especially in snow. But it does not come with low-range gearing for serious off-road driving. The snow feature isn’t a big draw here in Texas, but the system is valuable on wet pavement or even some of those fun, curvy Hill Country roads to provide better traction.

One cool safety feature is the blind spot monitoring system, which also is available on the redesigned 2009 Mazda 6 sedan. It flashes a signal in the outside mirror on either side when it detects a vehicle approaching in the adjacent lane in the mirror’s blind spot.

The CX-9 has a 113.2-inch wheelbase, which allows for a roomy interior with easy access to the third row. The middle row bench seats three people, and has a 60/40 split, and can be moved forward or rearward five inches to accommodate longer legs in either the middle or the rear.

With room for two, the rear seat has a 50/50 split-fold feature to increase cargo space. Behind that seat there is 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Both rows of back seats fold flat to allow for cargo placement all the way to the front seats.

During a Thanksgiving week visit by the grand-twins, the third-row seat came in handy in our tester. One easy pull is all it takes to bring the middle seatback forward to allow for access to the third row.

The automaker says the CX-9’s front end “is unmistakably Mazda, with its elegantly sculpted sporty five-point grille and wide, bold bumper.” It does have some styling cues in common with the sporty new 6 sedan.

The interior is typical of Mazda products, with great attention to detail and lots of creature comforts. All models include air conditioning, power windows/mirrors/door locks with remote keyless entry, trip computer, cruise control, six air bags, and black or beige interior colors.

Our tester came with a the moon roof package ($1,960), which also brought the Bose stereo and satellite radio; and the GT assist package ($2,300). The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at 210-250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

2009 Mazda CX-9 crossover

The package: Midsize, seven-passenger, five-door, V-6 powered, front- or all-wheel-drive, crossover utility vehicle.

Highlights: New two years ago, this is Mazda’s family size crossover, with room for seven, great looks and sporty performance.

Negatives: No four-cylinder engine offered for better fuel economy.

Engine: 3.7-liter V-6.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 273 HP/270 foot-pounds.

Length: 199.8 inches.

Curb weight: 4,335-4,550 pounds.

Cargo volume: 17.2 cubic feet (behind rear seat).

Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds.

Electronic stability control: Standard, with anti-roll feature.

Side air bags: Seat-mounted front side; side-curtain for both rows, standard.

Fuel capacity/type: 20.1 gallons/unleaded regular.

EPA fuel economy: 16 mpg city/22 highway (2WD); 15 city/21 highway (AWD).

Base price range: $29,820-$35,205 plus $670 freight.

Price as tested: $40,135, including freight and options (Grand Touring, AWD).

On the Road rating: 8.7 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.