Mazda CX-9

Mazda's been pushing upmarket of late, and the current-generation CX-9 was one of the earliest examples of this strategy.

Since its launch in 2016, the CX-9 has gone for a premium look and feel both in terms of design and quality, despite its US-market focus. If anything, the cabin design and quality is more in line with what you'd expect from Lexus, especially at the higher end of the range.

This is most apparent compared to rivals like the Toyota Kluger, which are more utilitarian in presentation even in the higher grades, and the CX-9's turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain is a unique selling point where most rivals offer naturally-aspirated V6 petrols and four-cylinder turbo-diesels.

Now in the latter stages of its lifecycle, the Mazda CX-9 is less techy and future-inspired than newer offerings like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, while offering more space and a more upmarket cabin. The new Kluger is similarly-sized and offers a fuel-efficient hybrid option, but is arguably less plush in the cabin and doesn't necessarily make any other ground-breaking developments despite its young age.

Finally, the eight-seat Hyundai Palisade presents as a logical cross shop given its size and upmarket aspirations, but despite its freshness within the Australian marketplace it's nearly due for a mid-life update itself.