The ‘09 CX-9 comes with Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims, all of which are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The only available engine is a 273-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This combination creates a maximum towing capacity of 3500 lb.

Available safety features for the cars include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. As is essential in crossovers, the seating arrangement calls for something a bit creative and includes folding benches whereby the 2nd row splits 60/40 and the 3rd row 50/50. The 2nd-row seat reclines and slides out of the way to maximise cargo space if needed.

A host of optional extras and luxury features are included at various trim levels or offered as extras in many cases. The 2009 Mazda CX-9 is an excellent entry into this section of the market, with good power to weight ratio and featuring Mazdas rare combination of high end drive dynamics with good value.

Six trims are available for the ‘09 Mazda CX-7, though most drivers will be content with the basic model plus a few extra features such as the Bose sound system and Bluetooth. All cars feature a 244-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The engine choice gives the CX-7 plenty of punt away from the lights and at higher speeds, and it’s matching with good quality shocks and breaks keep the zoom zoom ethos central to the vehicles design. Mazda have made compromises with some of their large family vehicles of late, but the excellent value performance of the CX-7 tells a different story.

Variously available safety features across the range include ABS, antiskid system, traction control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Touring and Grand Touring trims feature leather upholstery and heated front seats. Available on all trims are a navigation system with rear-view camera, keyless access with engine start, and a wireless cell phone link.

The combination of utility and sport is an area Mazda are uniquely prepared to deliver in and they don’t compromise on the excellent performance or feature functionality of the 2009 Mazda CX-7.

Uniquely, the ‘09 RX-8 uses a rotary engine. Something rarely found in sports cars nowadays due to its relative production expense, but it seems Mazda have developed a method of building them on the cheap. The engine generates 212-hp from a 1.3-liter engine with a 6-speed automatic in the base configuration ña vast amount of horses for a 1.3 liter.

This clever construction means that the Mazda RX-8 burns a third of the fuel a comparatively powered car (without a rotary engine) would. That has got to be good for the wallet and environment. Also of note is the in-built 300-watt, 9-speaker Bose audio system, making the inside of the car sound almost as good as the outside.

The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is built by a very clever company who know exactly what they are doing when it comes to producing high value sporty cars. The inclusion of a rotary engine, while something of a novelty, is also highly practical and fun to drive, especially when you know that the car it’s moving is perfectly balanced with 50/50 weight distribution in front and behind the engine.

Mazda tried to put Zoom-Zoom into their 6’s. Previous iterations of the car have been sleek and tight in both proportions and handling, but have never been particularly successful for the manufacturer. Poor sales to-date have ultimately resulted in a near total redesign for the 2009 model, which says goodbye to zoom-zoom and hello to spacious luxury and a far softer ride.

Though the basic guts of the 2009 Mazda 6 remain the same; who in their right mind would throw out a perfectly good 2.5-liter V6 engine creating 272 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque? The size and luxury of the American 6 has been drastically upped, along with the suspension length. A far smoother ride and significantly roomier interior result in something which might just compete in 2009.

The 2009 Mazda6 isn’t short of fixtures and fittings either. The manufacturer is traditionally rather conservative with their interior features, but the 6 includes a broad array of useful, and not so useful, safety and entertainment systems.

The ‘09 Mazda 5 doesn’t stop at pure fuel efficiency though. The car is quite a bit smaller than traditional minivans, but still provides 6 very roomy seats by adoption a three row configuration. This also helps to balance the vehicle far more effectively than standard minivan configurations, which allow Mazda to deliver on their second objective: A sporty drive.

All the trims of the Mazda5 feature a 153-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, which provides plenty of punch for the light weight chassis and internals. Some will consider it slightly underpowered, but it’s only a matter of being a few horses short and performs excellently in the lower rev range.

When the power, handling, unique design and price of the 2009 Mazda5 are weighed against the competition it’s difficult to see where it might lose buyers. The internal utilities and entertainment options are perhaps that one area, where, although equipped with Bluetooth and other mod cons, the Mazda falls short of offerings from the GM stable.

So what magic has the MazdaSpeed 3 got that other cars in its class are failing so dismally to capture? The bad news for other manufacturers is that there’s no magic feature or configuration to make a GTI or Speed 3 killer. It’s all about engineering excellence and business savvy, two things which Mazda has in spades.

The ‘09 Mazda Speed 3 uses the same 2.3 liter four-cylinder engine from the regular Mazda3, but in the Speed3 this motor puts out 263 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s only available with a six-speed manual transmission, but why would you want to stifle a neat little engine like this with an automatic?

Most importantly, the 2009 MazdaSpeed3 drives like a dream. Handling is almost prescient and features just enough feedback to make the ride feel utterly transparent to the driver. Of course, it’ll win no luxury interior awards, but 2009 is looking like another bumper year for this sporty little hatch-back.

The first thing any new buyer will notice about the A3 is its slightly modernised looks, chrome grill styling replaces the body-color finish of previous years and the 4 and 5 door versions both have slightly altered aerodynamics.

The Mazda comes with two trim rungs, one features a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The second receives a more powerful 2.3-liter four-cylinder which will put out 156 hp when factory fresh. Both engines come with a five-speed manual transmission and standard and offer automatic as an optional configuration.

The real standout for the A3, however, is its exceptional handling dynamics. Mazda have worked really hard to imbue the otherwise budget car with extraordinarily sporty handling. Fortunately that has only improved in the latest version, making the 2009 Mazda A3 a likely face at this year’s various automotive awards ceremonies.

The most visible, but probably least impressive, of the changes to the Titan is a newly designed front end. Ruthlessly modern, with chrome and bullish styling making no apologies for the trucks massive stature, but it’s called the Titan so that was probably never high on the agenda.

What we can be sure was high on the original feature list however, is the no-compromise V8 engine. Nissans VK56DE Endurance 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine produces 317 hp at 5,200 rpm and 385 lb-ft of torque for the Titan. Not an inconsiderable amount of power for a deceptively light chassis, and let’s just say that dampening the sound created by the rough and ready engine also hasn’t been a priority for Nissan.

Ignoring the obvious economic and environmental question marks hanging over large SUV’s this year, the only major blight to the 2009 Nissan Titans character is its lack of internal finish quality and features. Even compared to Dodge’s rough and ready offerings, the Titan falls short on value when it comes to included extras.

The ‘09 Frontier’s guts remain unchanged for 2009, Nissan simply sat on their hands and watched as fuel prices and green tax breaks made the Frontier a far more attractive vehicle without them having to lift a wrench to its basic mechanisms. This isn’t a bad thing, as the Frontier has always been a decent drive.

Nissan has made various cosmetic changes though: The Frontiers grille, headlights and wheels have all been altered in some way. There are also new trims offered which will help to keep this years Frontier relevant even as driving costs and conditions change dramatically over the course of the year.

Overall, the 2009 Nissan Frontier has always been a decent choice for the driver who needs budget but effective off-road capability. It’s fortunate for the company that economic changes have made the Frontiers position far more profitable than previous years ñ but this will weight against them in their sale of large SUV’s.

The new Armada uses a 5.6-liter DOHC V8 which delivers 317 hp with 385 ft-lbs of torque at just 3,400 RPM. This gives it an excellent towing capacity of up to 9,000 pounds. The standard 5-speed automatic transmission comes with a tow/haul mode, which is a handy feature. Unfortunately, all that power results in a frankly atrocious 12 mpg city, 18 mpg highway fuel economy.

The Armada borrows much of its basic design from Nissans Titan Pickup, which isn’t a bad thing at all. It means that the chassis is tough but relatively light weight and also guarantees the Armada a decent amount of cabin space for its class.

Unfortunately those problems that we hinted at in the first paragraph remain. Poor ride quality, more like a large truck than most competing full size SUV’s. Unresponsive handling which hasnít been improved an iota since the 2008 version and a generally poor interior quality to fixtures and fittings. Still, even with all these problems the 2009 Nissan Armada puts in a decent appearance and is forgivingly priced compared to higher quality competition.

Built from the ground up to be an extremely competitively priced all-rounder for outdoor pursuits and off-road driving, the Xterra seems to have its work cut out in meeting both seemingly opposing requirements. Fortunately, Nissan possesses a certain ability to build well beyond the means of many competing manufacturers when it comes to producing decent budget vehicles.

The Xterra is equipped with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine which produces 261 horsepower. Quite a bit more than its former version; and certain to quieten the complaints about underpowered drive trains that plagued the 2008 version.

Nissan has managed to pack everything but the kitchen sink into the Xterra, even a cubby hole for a first aid kit has been thought of, a feature which reveals Nissans careful analysis of their target market.

Overall, the 2009 Nissan Xterra is much improved over earlier versions of the vehicle. Issues with handing and drive trains have been dealt with without much fuss from Nissan. They call the new Xterra an evolution, but a lot of people will see it as a revolution.

Nissan claims the Murano was the first crossover SUV; a statement which is tricky to validate, but does demonstrate the Muranos relative age in the market. All that experience has taught Nissan some lessons which other manufacturers haven’t cottoned on to yet.

All the materials in the Murano are absolutely top quality. While Nissans budget cars might cut every corner safely available to them, the Murano is built for longevity and rugged performance. It’s useful then that the base Murano features a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 265 hp and 248 pound-feet of torque – More than enough to move this large crossover SUV with some purpose.

Equally high quality parts give the 2009 Nissan Murano tough suspension and responsive handling; features which can sometimes lack in crossovers. When these features are combined with the high quality interiors, packed with neat utilities and entertainment options it’s becomes clear that the Murano really is the complete package. This kind of quality doesn’t come cheap, but it’s worth every penny.

The 2009 revision list for the Rogue is short and to the point. Nissan has recognised their poorly timed introduction to the market and have obviously pulled back a lot of the Rogues budget to focus on manufacturing far more economical vehicles. Still, there are some changes worth noting.

The Rogue features a tweaked engine, putting out 170 horsepower from a 2.5 liter configuration with a continuously variable transmission. It comes in either front wheel drive, or four wheel drive with a general rating of 22 miles per gallon city and 27 miles per gallon highway. That’s a significant improvement over the 2008 models fuel economy.

The inside of the 2009 Nissan Rogue is well finished, with plenty of luxury fixtures and fittings to keep the family entertained and the driver well informed. New buyers will inevitably be working hard to make the right purchasing choice, and for that reason I can’t recommend the Rogue above the majority of the competition, but it’s a decent CVT, and if you like the features on offer then it’s a safe purchase.

2009 sees a few small, and not so small, changes for the Z. Available in both coupe and roadster configurations, Nissan has focused primarily on bringing the looks up to scratch by deploying substantially tweaked bodywork. The new design is thinner, curvier, and generally more contemporary than its 2007 version, which was starting to look a bit classical.

Under the bonnet is a 3.5-liter V6 engine, rated at 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque with a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic transmission optional. Astonishingly, the new engine is reportedly 80% new ñ meaning that Nissan redesigned almost every part for better performance and fuel economy. This results in 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Inside, the Z is as well turned out as ever; this is no track car, and Nissan haven’t scrimped on the luxury fixtures and fittings which admittedly increase weight, but result in a very pleasant drive. The 2009 Nissan Z is a well conceived and worthwhile update to an extremely popular and successful series.

The Maxima is entirely restyled for ‘09, and the Nissan designers haven’t done a half bad job, either. The new lines and measurements make the Maxima generally smaller, but it looks every bit as imposing as it ever did.

Fortunately Nissan hasn’t repeated their usual mistake of matching the car with a poor quality engine. Every part of the Maximas engine is perfect for the car; the 3.5-liter V-6 has been upgraded to 290 hp, up from 255 hp last year. A continuously variable automatic transmission is the only available option, but it’s a surprisingly responsive system.

A pretty decent package overall, then. The 2009 Nissan Maxima successfully combines power, style and luxury in equal measures and the car manufacturer has finally found an engine suitable for the car they are putting it into. Even the breaks are of a surprisingly decent quality, making the Maxima one of the best value cars in the Nissan range.

The Altima is Nissans volume seller in this market segment, and one of the most popular vehicles overall. I shouldnít be any surprise then that the Altima is a generally robust and decent value vehicle, but it is let down by a few classic Nissan mistakes.

Firstly, the Altima features yet another strangely unsatisfactory Nissan engine. The standard model is equipped with a 2.5-liter, 175-hp engine that achieves 23-mpg city and 31-mpg highway. The 3.5 SL is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. Fine horsepower figures, but the mileage betrays somewhat under achieving engines.

Fortunately the 2009 Nissan Altima offsets this one problem with excellent build quality throughout the bodywork and in its parts usage. Relative luxury is available to car occupants, which high quality fixtures and decent extras included in most trims. Expect the Altima to last a very long time, but don’t expect it to surprise you, not even once.

For starters, the Sentra is somewhat underpowered. The basic trim comes with a 140-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine which, though seemingly suitable, is tuned for maximum fuel efficiency which results in a mediocre driving experience. Upgraded trims donít help the situation substantially.

The engine situation should end any hopes that this is a driverís car, but it does result in an economical, smooth and quiet ride. As it happens, these are increasingly popular design choices amongst Nissans target consumers. These same consumers will be pleased to note a decent internal finish quality, which is somewhat upgraded in the 2009 Sentra.

There are no bells and whistles on the 2009 Nissan Sentra, but if you are looking for a car designed for comfort, fuel economy and a bit of style on a budget; the sentra should be a strong contender for your cash.

The 2009 version features a tweaked engine setup, with a 4.0-liter V-6 roaring away inside, there is plenty of power to put down. Unfortunately, sub optimal suspension and breaking parts result in a drive which feels mediocre on tar-mac.

Slightly sub-par handling aside, the Pathfinder is comfortable on tricky terrain, but not quite so much as the Land Rover Discover, which though admittedly slightly more pricey- is an excellent all rounder. This is the challenge that the Pathfinder faces, but it remains a good value car despite these short comings.

New buyers won’t do much better than the Pathfinder, but that doesn’t mean that there are not better vehicles out there. A subjective look at the market reveals a lot of high quality competition, and in the end the individual must weight up their own requirements. In that respect alone, the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder is well placed to win a few hearts and minds in 2009.

A little known fact is that Nissan wanted to distinguish the Quest from the competition, they did this by making the van sexy, or at least as sexy as a minivan can be. When you set eyes on it, the differences in design are not immediately obvious but they build to create the impression of a far more streamlined and curvaceous vehicle than most minivan drivers are used to.

The Quest remains a family car, though, a fact which is demonstrated by Nissan with clever design rather than marketing. The basic Quest is equipped with a message center with outside temperature display, rear air conditioning, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an AM/FM stereo and CD player with 2nd-row audio controls with two headphone jacks for back seat head bangers.

The 2009 Nissan Quest sets out to do a few things differently. It’s clear that there have been a few compromises with space and configuration to accommodate the sexier look, but not so much that its value as a family car is seriously damaged. If you like the look, you’ll get what you want from the Quest

Nissan build their new Versa in Mexico, already this shows us just one way they are bringing the cars manufacturing cost down without impacting quality. Coupled with Nissans significant buying power, which likely brings down the cost of materials substantially, itís easy to see where Nissan is saving the cash.

Nissan produce the Versa in two trims: A 1.8-S which uses a 1.8-liter, 122-horsepower engine which achieves 26-mpg in the city and 31 highway miles per gallon. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with an optional 4-speed automatic. The 1.8-SL is equipped with a 1.8-liter engine which produces a fraction less power in exchange for an extra 3 miles per highway gallon. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard in this trim.

Overall Nissan are probably one of the car manufacturers most suited to making the claim “Cheapest new car in 2009.” Because of their significant buying power and manufacturing savings, this does not require a significant reduction in overall build quality of the 2009 Nissan Versa ñbut the old axiom is still true; you get what you pay for.