2007 Mazda CX-7 Review

PROS
Passenger and cargo room, Innovative and user-friendly interior, Excellent handling

CONS Harsh ride, Jekyll and Hyde engine

Mazda Makes You Choose
After 35 years of selling vehicles in the United States, Mazda's finally found an identity. Every car in the lineup makes sense, and, more importantly, each is efficient, competitively priced, and fun to drive. That's probably what Mazda means when it splashes "Zoom-Zoom" across every television, radio, print, and internet ad it produces.

In today's economy, "Zoom-Zoom" makes a lot of sense. Give consumers something with character, make it fun to drive, and price it affordably. That's just the thought behind the new CX-7--it's your typical 5-seat crossover SUV with a touch of "Zoom-Zoom."

The CX-7 competes with midsize SUVs like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Freestyle, Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, and Toyota Highlander. It seats five on two front buckets and a split-folding rear-bench seat. Three models are offered: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Each is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, curtain side airbags and a tire-pressure monitor. Sport models come standard with air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, theft-deterrent system, alloy wheels, and rear-privacy glass. Touring adds leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power driver seat, and cargo cover. Grand Touring adds automatic climate control, heated mirrors, auto HID headlights, and fog lights. Options include navigation system, rear-view monitor, keyless entry and starting, power sunroof, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, Sirius satellite radio, and remote starting.

CX-7 prices start at $23,750 for the 2WD Sport and rise to $28,000 for the AWD Grand Touring.

Get up and Go
CX-7's turbocharged engine isn't perfect but it can be entertaining. From a standstill, the engine doesn't pack a lot of punch. After a second or two, power comes on with a rush and is easily a match to competitors' V6 engines. The same can be said in highway passing situations where the engine seems to pause a second while turbo boost builds and is then unleashed in a rush of power.

One area where the CX-7 four can't match V6 competition is in refinement. The engine isn't rough, but it's not exactly sewing-machine smooth either. There's plenty of rumble on cold startups and a fair amount of growling at higher engine speeds. Overall, the engine comes across as sporty rather than refined.

Still, the CX-7's ratings are better than many other midsize SUVs and real-world driving is likely to yield about 20 mpg overall. Because of the turbocharged engine's high-specific output, Mazda requires CX-7 owners to use more-expensive premium-grade fuel.

On the Road Following the lead set by its somewhat unconventional engine choice, Mazda gave the CX-7's ride a decidedly sport-tuned feel. It's not buck-board hard, but it's certainly not for everyone. The firm suspension does a decent job of filtering out minor road imperfections, but larger bumps pound through and can upset passengers. Secondary ride motions are well quelled and the body structure feels very stiff.

The up side of the firm suspension is fantastic roadholding--for an SUV. Body lean is almost non-existent and the tires have exceptional grip. CX-7 is still an SUV, so it doesn't handle like a sports car, but it's certainly one of the best handling SUVs on the market--at any price.

Steering is nicely weighted and very accurate. Unlike some SUVs, you don't have to saw at the wheel on freeway ramps and highway tracking is straight and true. The brakes have ample stopping power in repeated hard stops and the pedal is very easy to modulate.

Behind the Wheel CX-7's interior is a study in contemporary tech, but where competitors compromise functionality for form, the Mazda blends the two. A good example of this can be found in the simple orange-on-black gauges, which are basked with blue light at night. They are easy to read at a glance, but different enough to catch the eye.

The same can be said for the rotary-dial climate controls, which have a modern look and feel but conventional operation. Optional navigation system is easy to program and the display is very clear, even in bright sunlight. Materials have a fresh, no-nonsense appeal, and fit and finish is excellent.

Front seats are very firm, yet for some reason they are also comfortable on long trips. There's ample head and leg room and the seats offer good support on twisty roads. The driving position is more conventional than the sloped windshield would suggest and outward visibility is excellent, aided by the optional rear-view monitor.

Cargo space is typical for midsize SUVs, but Mazda's thrown in some very nice twists. The cargo floor is reversible: One side is carpeted and the other side is skid-resistant plastic. The rear-seat releases are located to the rear of the vehicle, within easy reach from the rear bumper. The center console is lockable and large enough to stash a laptop computer. In all, the CX-7's interior puts the utility back in SUV.

Bottom Line With the elevation of "Zoom-Zoom" from a marketing slogan to a corporate mantra, Mazda's finally found a niche in the United States. The CX-7 isn't just another midsize SUV. It's a midsize SUV that makes buyers choose. The ride's not for everyone. The engine's peaky power output is unique. The interior is ultra-modern. Perhaps that is what makes CX-7 so appealing, and for some that's what makes it so compelling.

Pricing is on par with other midsize SUVs, though the CX-7 lacks a refined V6 engine. Still, for a touch more than $30,000 you can get a fully-loaded SUV that is chock full of character and thoughtful innovation.