Mazda's crossover - worth the wait?I've always viewed Mazda as the underdog of the big-3 Japanese auto manufacturers, but that in no way reflects my perception of their product quality. I have always come away with the sense that Mazda spends just
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
a little more time "getting it right," unlike some manufacturers who rush to market with half-baked vehicles just to be first out of the gate. Mazda's tardiness in joining the highly competitive crossover-SUV segment appears to support this supposition.
The built-in-Japan
CX-7 is a spacious five seat mid-size car-based SUV that rides on a revised
Mazda6 architecture and is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. Chassis revisions include the application of a front suspension setup from the MPV minivan and a rear suspension arrangement from the
Mazda5. In Canada, the CX-7 is split between two trim levels: the more basic GS, starting at $31,995 and the well-appointed GT, starting at $35,195. Both units are powered by a turbocharged, 2.3 litre DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder powerplant. This is the same high-spirited unit that injects life into the MazdaSpeed6. Despite
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
its reliance on four pistons rather than the more popular six, this high revving mill spins-out a brisk 244 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm and 258 foot-pounds of torque at only 2,500 rpm, the result of which is capable of propelling the 1,782 kg CX-7 with commendable vigor.
Albeit the 4-banger achieves V6 power ratings it doesn't come to life until the tachometer climbs out of the basement, at which point power hits fast and hard. However the burst of turbocharged energy can unintentionally generate more thrust than desired if one doesn't roll gently into the throttle when accelerating. Under full acceleration the revs climb quickly to redline as the CX-7 pulls enthusiastically to the next shift point whereupon momentum is momentarily lost until the cog is switched and the mill finds its legs; look for 0-96 kph (0-60 mph) times in the mid seven-second range. Output from the force-fed powerplant is managed by a sophisticated 6-speed, Sport Mode automatic transmission with overdrive. My tester was equipped with Mazda's Active Torque-Split all-wheel-drive system, biasing the vehicle more toward SUV status than car status in the crossover continuum.
Despite its continuum placement, Mazda claims the aggressively styled CX-7 has the "soul of a sports car." Much of that soul can be seen in its steeply raked windscreen, sleek lines and diminishing side glass. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of the CX-7's outward appearance. In my oft
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell) |
under-valued opinion, larger side glass would enhance its aesthetics while improving rearward visibility, which is marginalized by the small side windows and large roof pillars comprising the wall of the cargo bay. Moving inside the CX-7 beholds a whole different world. Mazda designers have created one of the most visually pleasing environments to be had in a low-to-mid priced crossover. The two-tone theme and interesting use of materials in my tester, including satin-finished aluminum, was far more "upscale" than I had expected in this segment. I was particularly fond of the gauge cluster and centre-stack arrangement. The primary gauges were unobstructed and easy to read, especially at night due to their sharply contrasting red-on-blue graphics. The centre-stack placed HVAC and audio controls close at hand. How refreshing it was to find large dials in place of small buttons for the administration of heat and air conditioning settings. This type of simplicity is simply splendid.
