Ford Flex, Mazda CX-9 Earn Consumer Reports' Accolades

In a test that included 17 mid-size SUVs, Consumer Reports placed the new Ford Flex in fourth place and the upgraded Mazda CX-9 in fifth. On the other hand, the redesigned Honda Pilot fell to 11th place, surpassed by the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Hyundai Veracruz, Buick Enclave, and Ford Taurus X that nudged it out of the top 10.

Consumer Reports praised the Flex's quiet and luxurious interior, flexible interior layout, SYNC electronics package, and considerable rear seat room. They also liked the fact that the Flex was lower to the ground and more like a station wagon than the other SUVs and crossovers in the test.

The magazine found lots to like about the Mazda CX-9, noting its agility, quietness, steering, transmission, interior flexibility, and blind spot detection system as strong points. They found that in just one model year, the CX-9 had "improved considerably" and considered it among the sportiest SUVs they've ever driven.

The November issue of Consumer Reports, which includes this test, is on newsstands now.--Colin Mathews

2009 Ford Flex SEEnlarge PhotoIn a test that included 17 mid-size SUVs, Consumer Reports placed the new Ford Flex in fourth place and the upgraded Mazda CX-9 in fifth. On the other hand, the redesigned Honda Pilot fell to 11th place, surpassed by the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Hyundai Veracruz, Buick Enclave, and Ford Taurus X that nudged it out of the top 10. Consumer Reports praised the Flex's quiet and luxurious interior, flexible interior layout, SYNC electronics package, and considerable rear seat room. They also liked the fact that the Flex was lower to the ground and more like a station wagon than the other SUVs and crossovers in the test. The magazine found lots to like about the Mazda CX-9, noting its agility, quietness, steering, transmission, interior flexibility, and blind spot detection system as strong points. They found that in just one model year, the CX-9 had "improved considerably" and considered it among the sportiest SUVs they've ever driven. The November issue of Consumer Reports, which includes this test, is on newsstands now.--Colin Mathews 2009 Mazda CX-9 SportEnlarge Photo