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The 2008 Mazda CX-9 comes in three trim levels. Each is available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The CX-9 Sport ($29,400) comes with three-zone air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio, power windows, power door locks, remote/keyless entry, cruise control, telescope-tilt steering wheel, variable-speed wipers, rear-window wiper; cloth upholstery, six-way manual adjusting driver's seat, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The CX-9 Touring model ($31,615) adds leather upholstery, power and heated front seats, power heated outside mirrors, and Bluetooth hands-free wireless technology for cell phones. The Touring Assistance Package ($2,717) adds DVD navigation, Smart Card advanced entry and starting system, a rearview camera, and a power liftgate. CX-9 Grand Touring ($33,355) adds more deluxe trim inside and out, turn signals integrated into the side mirrors, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, rain-sensing wipers, memory for the driver's seat, security system with advanced keyless entry Smart Card, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. The Grand Touring Assistance Package ($2,500) adds navigation, a rearview camera, and a power liftgate. A new option exclusively for Grand Touring is Blind Spot Monitoring ($200). Other factory options include all-wheel drive ($1,300); crystal white paint ($200); power driver's seat ($350); and a towing package ($525) for Touring and Grand Touring that boosts trailer capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,500. Buyers can also choose a rear-seat entertainment/Bose audio package ($2,560); or a moonroof/Bose audio package ($1,760); but not both. Additionally, Mazda lists more than a dozen dealer-installed accessories, including Sirius Satellite Radio ($430); 6-CD changer ($500); remote-engine start ($350); and a retractable cargo cover ($205). Safety features that come standard include electronic stability control with roll stability control and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, side air curtains, front-seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and of course the required dual frontal air bags. Air curtains are low-pressure airbags that come down from the ceiling to cover the side windows in all three rows. The idea is to provide head protection in a side-impact crash. Studies and crash tests have shown such head protection can significantly improve the chance of surviving side-impact crashes, which are particularly deadly because there is so little metal to protect the occupants of the vehicle being struck. The air bags mounted in the front seats are designed to provide chest protection in a side-impact crash. Optional all-wheel drive adds a measure of driving safety in slippery conditions.
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