Carrying seven people means two up front, three in the second row and two in the third row.

We found a 6-foot, 4-inch driver could be comfortable in the driver's seat, then move back to the second row and still find enough legroom; that's with the adjustable second-row seat in the middle position. The second row is split 60/40, and either side moves fore and aft almost five inches. That allows a nice amount of flexibility in carrying people and cargo of different sizes.

Then, without moving the second-row seat, we climbed into the third row and found adequate head and legroom for that same 6-foot, 4-inch driver there, too. To get to the third row, grab the handle built into the top of the second-row seat and pull. That releases the seat and slides it forward. The opening is smallish, in part because the wheel arch intrudes. But with a wiggle and a twist an adult can reach the third row without a severe loss of dignity.

Buyers have a choice of black or beige upholstery, and the latter made the interior seem brighter and roomier. The look is upscale, and nothing about it says boring family transportation.

Up front, all the basic driving controls are simple and easy to use.

A small storage bin between the front seats and relatively thin storage compartments on the front doors provide some cubby storage.

Mazda says there is 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row upright. There's not much more than the trunk of a mid-size sedan, and to use it all would require piling luggage up to the roof, blocking the rearward view. Nevertheless 17.2 cubic feet gives the CX-9 a significant advantage over the Toyota Highlander, which has 10.3 cubic feet behind its third row and 2.5 inches less legroom in the third row. To carry more stuff and fewer people, the Mazda's third row (a 50/50 split) can be lowered by pulling a strap. Gravity does the work. With both sides down the result is 48.4 cubic feet of space. Getting the seat back up requires pulling the same strap, which we found easy to do.

The second row can also be folded down easily. However, it doesn't create a completely flat cargo area. There is a slight uphill slant.

The tailgate when open does not have a 6-foot, 4-inch clearance, we discovered, and there is nothing like a good rap on the forehead to brighten the day.