unemployedpimp

again im posting pictures i found:D this could be the mazda 9
http://thehollywoodextra.com/mazda/mazda.html

m477

No, the Mazda9 will be a Millenia replacement, in other words a sedan.

unemployedpimp

then this will be the next TRIBUTE? the mazda suv

chinx

maybe mazda's full-size crossover suv, being that everyone is making 'em these days... the caption says it's based on the 6

definitely not a replacement for millenia

Jerome81

I hope the US version, if indeed it is built, is built at a Mazda factory (Flat Rock or Japan), and NOT the Kansas City plant where the Tribute/Escape are currently made. Being built at the Ford plant has hurt the overall quality of what is a darn good pair of small SUV's.

I like it. Much more along the lines of what Mazda is about than the very SUV looking Tribute.

KayakDaddy

I agree that whatever it is should be as pure Mazda as possible. A co-worker of mine has had such a bad experiance with his Tribute, that he'll never buy another Mazda. It is such a piece of crap, something new breaks almost weekly. He can't even get it declared as a lemon because the same problem has to occur three times. Unfortunatley, it's something new every time.

As far as the picture is concerned, it's probably a competitor to cars like the Nissan Murano which is based on the Altima. The Murano is a pretty sweet ride by the way, 245 hp and a CVT - that's pretty nice. It's also the best styled SUV on the road today. If I had to drop my own money on a SUV, it would probably be a Murano. Too bad I hate SUV's.:D

max_stirling

Well supposedly the current Tribute is based off of either the 626 or Mazda6 platform. That car definately looks more like a Tribute replacement than a larger crossover.

I'm not sure what Mazda plans to do in regards to the crossover market. One answer is the Mazda6 wagon and another is the Mazda3 5 door. Both are sporty and stylist, but with no pretense of SUV influence. I don't know if this is good or bad in terms of sales.

I'm not sure if Americans (women) can give up the secure feeling of a large, solid vehicle and the commanding view of the high seating position.

Personally, I really don't like SUV, but I can appreciate their preacticality since my wife owns one (MB ML430), but I currently had to buy own, the Murano/FX45/FX35 would be on my short list.

Mazda had said many times that it cannot be everything to everyone. This is why they will be dropping their B series truck line. This could mean room for a larger Explorer based SUV or a larger Mazda9 based crossover.

Personally, I would prefer a Mazda9 based crossover. Mazda is about sport and fun to drive. Anything Explorer based will have some off road element and I don't think it fits Mazda's image too well.

BTW, the next gen MPV will be based off of the Mazda6 platform as well.