The Mazda CX-9 is Motor Trend’s 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year. A category once reserved for a few off-road specialists, the sport/utility or crossover class now offers a vehicle for practically any driver, from almost any automaker.

Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of Motor Trend, noted that this year’s field, while smaller than last year’s, includes significant new entries, including the best Buick in decades — “not just the best Buick SUV, but the best Buick, period” — and a Hyundai that may have car buyers think twice about Lexus.

In addition to the Mazda CX-9, Motor Trend evaluated:

• Buick Enclave
  

  
  

• Hyundai Veracruz
  

  
  

• Jeep Liberty
  

  
  

• Jeep Patriot
  

  
  

• Land Rover LR2 Nissan Rouge
  

  
  

• Saturn Vue
  

  
  

• Subaru Tribeca
  

  
  

• Toyota Highlander
  

  
  

• Toyota Land Cruiser

  The complete report on the Motor Trend 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year testing and selection will be published in the December issue of Motor Trend. High-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at http://www.motortrend.com/media.