It's hard to make a crossover different from all the other crossovers without making it something other than just another crossover.

Mazda does a better job than most with the CX-9, its largest, most family-friendly crossover. It is just slightly less practical than some of its rivals, having just a bit less room for cargo than most of them have. But it works hard to make up for that by being as fun to drive as a rig like this can be without becoming something that isn't well-suited to being a family-friendly rig.

What It Is

The CX-9 is Mazda's largest crossover. It seats up to seven passengers (with the option to seat six) in three rows of seats, which can be either bench (second row) seats or captain's chairs, depending upon how many you'd like to come along for the ride.

All trims come standard with AWD and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Prices start at $35,630 for the Sport trim and run to $47,560 for the top-of-the-line Signature, which comes standard with quilted leather seats and real wood inserts.

What's New

AWD — previously optional — is now standard.

What's Good

Costs several thousand less than rivals (including the Honda Pilot, which comes standard with front-wheel drive).

Miata-like personality — with practicality.

Strong standard engine.

What's Not So Good

Less total cargo space than rivals.

Modest (3,500 pounds max) towing capacity.

Premium fuel required to get the maximum advertised horsepower.

Under The Hood

The standard engine in every CX-9 is a 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

An interesting thing about this engine is that it advertises variable output — 227 or 250 horsepower — dependent upon the fuel you use. If you use regular unleaded, the engine delivers the lower number; with premium, you get the higher number.

In effect, it's a way for Mazda to give CX-9 owners two engines in one.

If you want more power, you can opt to spend a little more for premium gas; if you don't need the extra power, you can save money by using regular.

A six-speed automatic is standard.

On The Road

Not everyone can indulge a Miata — though lots of us would like to.

Kids and everyday realities sometimes put the kibosh on that kind of fun, at least for now. In the meanwhile, why not something for the kids and family that's made by the same company that makes Miatas?

You might be pleasantly surprised.

The CX-9's engine, like the Miata's, is a revvy and peppy thing that seems to enjoy being throttled up to the higher ranges of the RPM band, while the six-speed automatic has just the right number of gears for snappy, well-spaced shifts.

But it is chiefly the suspension tuning that gives the CX-9 a quality Mazda styles Jinba Ittai, a term that translates as "rider and horse as one."

You feel this when you're on the throttle rather than the brakes in a decreasing radius turn.

Ride quality, meanwhile, is enhanced by a longer-than-most wheelbase (115.3 inches), especially relative to its overall length (199.4 inches).

There is also nearly 9 inches (8.8 inches) of ground clearance, very helpful in the snow, especially with standard AWD.

At The Curb

Mazda has managed to imbue the CX with Miata-ness without appreciably diminishing this rig's practical bona fides.

There is a bit less space for cargo behind the third row (14.3 cubic feet) and overall, with the second and third rows folded (71.2 cubic feet), but it's not that much less than you'd get in others in the class such as the Honda Pilot (16.5 and 83.9 cubic feet, respectively) or the Kia Telluride-Hyundai Palisade twins (21 cubic feet and 87 cubic feet).

The CX-9's biggest weakness is arguably its modest (3,500 pounds maximum) towing capacity. Several of its rivals — including the Kia-Hyundai twins — come standard with a 5,000-pound max tow rating, which gives them the capability to pull substantially more than the Mazda is rated to handle.

The Rest

There's a Carbon Edition — if you'd like the ultimate (as far as CX-9s go) in Jinba Ittai. It features a unique "polymetal" gray paint scheme outside with red leather-covered seats and trim inside.

This one also has a windshield de-icer system that uses electricity to thaw the glass faster than blowing hot air on it can.

The Bottom Line

There are times in life when your needs overrule your wants.

But there are also times when you can get some of what you want along with what you need.

View the Mazda CX-9 this week.

Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

View the Mazda CX-9 this week.