IF YOU'RE into car spotting then you'll appreciate the challenge Mazda has thrown down with its updated CX9.

So subtle are the styling changes that only the eagle-eyed will pick them.

    IN A WORD
  • Make: Mazda
  • Model: CX9
  • Price: From $49,990
  • Report: JOHN PARRY

They include a five-point corporate grille, revised front and rear lights and sharper side mirrors and fog-light trim.

The seven-seat, V6-powered CX9 has done pretty well since it was launched in late 2007.

Last year, it finished sixth in the medium SUV class well ahead of its closest rival, the Subaru Tribeca.

In Mazda-speak, the C stands for crossover, the X for sport and the 9 is for class, whatever that means.

Prices are down and a new premium model has been added.

The Classic is down $2000 to $49,990 and the Luxury down $3115 to $56,990 or $60,313 with satellite navigation.. The new Grand Touring is $63,186.

Inside, there is a new steering wheel, revised trim, a double-opening centre console and revised rear airconditioning controls.

The CX9 is heavy, tipping the scales at more than two tonnes, so performance relies as much on high revs as it does on low-speed torque.

Output from the 3.7-litre V6 engine is unchanged at 204kW at 6250rpm and 366Nm of torque at 4250rpm, but engine calibrations and reduced drag have improved fuel economy to a combined 12.2 litres/100km, down from 13.

Acceleration is unchanged, with zero to 100km/h time coming up in 8.5 seconds, assisted by a low first gear in its six-speed automatic transmission, which drives the front wheels full-time and the rear wheels when necessary.

On the road, the CX9 feels as big as it looks and the dimensions show why. At 5074mm long and 1936mm wide, it is one of the largest SUVs in its class, longer and wider than a Territory and a Prado.

The relatively high waistline, large front pillars, high-set centre armrest and console, dark interior, large A pillars and relatively high waistline accentuate the size.

A reversing camera is a plus but the CX9 also needs parking sensors.

Retuning the front suspension damping has refined the already smooth ride.

Standard equipment in the Classic includes front, side and curtain airbags, three-zone climate control, reversing camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, six-stack CD player, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and rain-sensing wipers.

The Luxury adds a sunroof, power front-seats, premium Bose audio, driver's seat tilt, 20-inch wheels and heated side-mirrors.

The Grand Touring adds satellite navigation with Bluetooth, xenon headlights, power tailgate and keyless entry and engine start.