Gulf Daily News (Enlarge photo)

27/06/2008 11:15. IT was the first time that I had heard of what they call a "crossover" and was intrigued by what it could mean. But once behind the wheel of the Mazda CX-9, any doubts that I had were quickly dispelled. Having driven a saloon for several years and "graduated" to an SUV (sports utility vehicle) nearly two years ago, the changeover, albeit only for an extended weekend, was welcome.

The CX-9 is what is officially called a CUV, the name they use for a crossover utility vehicle - a vehicle that looks like an SUV, but is built on a lighter car-type platform.

It had a lot to live up to, coming from a stable of thoroughbreds immortalised by the Mazda 6 of nearly three years ago.

Mazda has succeeded with the look, because it appears like a "smaller" SUV but does not lose the space utilisation... // Gulf Daily News