A crossover that's just about perfect

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2007 | by James R. Healey

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. -- A snowstorm wrecked a chance to see the canyon but -- lemons into lemonade -- the snow was a good test for the all-wheel drive on the preproduction Mazda CX-9 test vehicle. It's a mid- to full-size crossover SUV just beginning to arrive at dealerships. And the AWD worked just dandy.

Normally in front-drive mode, it uses computer logic and a variety of sensors to anticipate your need for AWD. The system begins shifting power to the rear wheels a moment before necessary, without waiting for the front wheels to spin. That technology is getting common. For instance, Jeep uses it on some models. Honda's Pilot uses it. And General Motors has it on its newest crossover SUVs, GMC Acadia (Test Drive, Dec. 22) and the similar Saturn Relay, which are slightly...