All-wheel drive or not
As with many crossovers in this segment, the CX-7 can be equipped with all-wheel drive or basic front-wheel drive. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of AWD, despite the small fuel penalty that grip at all four corners inflicts. My tester was of the AWD variety, which meant that in addition to its superior traction, it also benefited from an increase in power.
A normally aspirated, 2.5-litre I4 supplies 161 horsepower to the front wheels of the base CX-7. Move up to the AWD configuration and a direct-injection, turbocharged 2.3-litre DOHC four-banger swirls up 244 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque @ 2,500 rpm.
This is the same powerful mill that gave credibility to the Mazdaspeed6 not so long ago. Without going into detail on how it does it, let’s just agree that it is an enjoyable engine to harness. Thanks to turbocharging, the small but powerful mill imbues the CX-7 with plenty of torque-induced performance.
Not only is this engine surprisingly stout and ready to push ahead with nothing more than a breath on the accelerator, it does so without imparting undue harshness. Overall, the turbo’d mill is smooth, quiet and refined. Apart from some minimal initial turbo lag, power is delivered on a well-proportioned, linear basis that’s not always the case with small boosted engines.
Whether opting for AWD or FWD, the CX-7 will arrive with an automatic transmission. In the case of my AWD tester, the autobox was a 6-speed affair, which included a manual mode that I found quite helpful in generating engine braking on long descents.
Uphill, the transmission quickly found the appropriate gear to keep the CX-7 moving without it becoming bogged down or losing momentum. The transmission’s willingness to slot the best cog without belabouring the process adds to enjoyment on the road, which is where Mazda’s crossover is equally adept at managing bumps.
Smooth ride and nimble cornering
Some AWD crossovers tend to deliver a hard ride in favour of agility and handling prowess. Mazda has struck a realistic balance between the two adversaries; both dynamics – ride and handling – are sure to satisfy the typical crossover driver.
Brake performance is well balanced and easy to apportion, and serves as the final dynamic in making the CX-7 a highly pleasurable vehicle to operate.
As with many crossovers in this segment, the CX-7 can be equipped with all-wheel drive or basic front-wheel drive. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of AWD, despite the small fuel penalty that grip at all four corners inflicts. My tester was of the AWD variety, which meant that in addition to its superior traction, it also benefited from an increase in power.
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| This turbocharged 2.3-litre DOHC four-banger swirls up 244 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque @ 2,500 rpm. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
A normally aspirated, 2.5-litre I4 supplies 161 horsepower to the front wheels of the base CX-7. Move up to the AWD configuration and a direct-injection, turbocharged 2.3-litre DOHC four-banger swirls up 244 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque @ 2,500 rpm.
This is the same powerful mill that gave credibility to the Mazdaspeed6 not so long ago. Without going into detail on how it does it, let’s just agree that it is an enjoyable engine to harness. Thanks to turbocharging, the small but powerful mill imbues the CX-7 with plenty of torque-induced performance.
Not only is this engine surprisingly stout and ready to push ahead with nothing more than a breath on the accelerator, it does so without imparting undue harshness. Overall, the turbo’d mill is smooth, quiet and refined. Apart from some minimal initial turbo lag, power is delivered on a well-proportioned, linear basis that’s not always the case with small boosted engines.
Whether opting for AWD or FWD, the CX-7 will arrive with an automatic transmission. In the case of my AWD tester, the autobox was a 6-speed affair, which included a manual mode that I found quite helpful in generating engine braking on long descents.
Uphill, the transmission quickly found the appropriate gear to keep the CX-7 moving without it becoming bogged down or losing momentum. The transmission’s willingness to slot the best cog without belabouring the process adds to enjoyment on the road, which is where Mazda’s crossover is equally adept at managing bumps.
Smooth ride and nimble cornering
Some AWD crossovers tend to deliver a hard ride in favour of agility and handling prowess. Mazda has struck a realistic balance between the two adversaries; both dynamics – ride and handling – are sure to satisfy the typical crossover driver.
Brake performance is well balanced and easy to apportion, and serves as the final dynamic in making the CX-7 a highly pleasurable vehicle to operate.
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| Brake performance is well balanced and easy to apportion, and serves as the final dynamic in making the CX-7 a highly pleasurable vehicle to operate. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |