For me:
The fact that the RX270 is only available in 2WD removes it from my list automatically. If ever, I want an SUV, I ALWAYS CHOOSE 4WD/AWD.

I mean, why would I buy an Ford Explorer in 2WD form.

For SUVs, go 4WD/AWD or go home hahahahaha

Valid point

But personally, when I checked Toyota Alphard sales, majority are the V6 versions. In that case, the 2.4 liter versions only made up ~30% of Toyota Alphard sales in the Philippines.

I guess it depends.

Personally though, I don't care about fuel economy..............because I see car ownership as being a sign of wealth and prosperity. In most of Asia and Africa, this is the case wherein CAR OWNERSHIP = ECONOMIC PROSPERITY.

I mean personally in my case, I would rather get really rich so concerns such as fuel economy and fuel pricing won't ever be problems or issues for me. In that way, I could go straight for a Camry 3.5 V6 instead of a 2.5 liter one. I could go for V8 engines instead of V6. I would consider V12 BITURBO MB AMG cars and W12 Bentley cars instead of the V8 versions (despite what many say that V8 versions have better handling that their 12 cylinder versions).

In short:
I WANT IT ALL

 

The US market is different--global markets have more diesels and smaller engines. I'm not familiar with many of these models, but the Nissan Rouge and Hyundai Santa Fe are not nearly as large as the CX-9. Many include the Kia Sorrento in with that class, but it's over a foot shorter than the CX-9.

 

"outside US"--exactly.

If the CX-9 becomes one pioneer of the US market to completely ditch the V6, I'm not confident that their already small customer base will adapt that quickly. What happens in other global markets is not necessarily relevant to the US market. Just look at the hatchback models around the world.