We don't think anybody could have imagined a vehicle like the CX-7 twenty years ago. An SUV that's short on utility, has a low towing capacity, and is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine seemed like something we'd see as a concept on an auto show floor, but would never see on a dealership floor. And yet, here it is.
And when a CX-7 arrived on our doorstop for an extended period of time, a waiting list quickly developed; by curiosity, maybe, but quite a few staffers fancy this Mazda not for its cargo space, but for its looks and for the performance potential of its powertrain.
The good stuff
Styling was at the top of the list of testers' strong points; after all, part of new-car purchase is based on emotion, and Mazda knew that when it penned the CX-7. Many design elements make it stand out of the SUV crowd, such as the rakish windshield and the rising beltline over the rear wheels. The CX-7 looks like it can run circles around the Tribute.
The same thing applies to the cockpit. Unique-looking beige leather seats with a black strip stretching down from top to bottom lend a touch of class, while the general atmosphere is upscale and well-finished.
The 244-hp, 2.3-litre turbo engine also drew praise for the acceleration numbers it provides the CX-7 with. The 6-speed automatic is hard at work, keeping the 4-cylinder in its stride, although some found that it shifted quite a lot; most weren't used to a transmission with as many gears, however.
And although we stated it not being a priority, the Mazda's cargo hold is actually quite useful. Tester notes included mention of the release handles on the rear wheel wells that fold down the rear seatbacks, handy when you're loading something in and can't drop it to walk over to the rear doors. But with its light-coloured interior, one person was afraid of getting the cargo area dirty.
The not-so-good stuff
Engine noise was a negative comment that, unsurprisingly, ended up in several evaluation sheets. Not that the 2.3-litre is overly cacophonic, but the raspy, unexciting noise that the engine belts out was underwhelming for some.
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| Styling was at the top of the list of testers' strong points. |
And when a CX-7 arrived on our doorstop for an extended period of time, a waiting list quickly developed; by curiosity, maybe, but quite a few staffers fancy this Mazda not for its cargo space, but for its looks and for the performance potential of its powertrain.
The good stuff
Styling was at the top of the list of testers' strong points; after all, part of new-car purchase is based on emotion, and Mazda knew that when it penned the CX-7. Many design elements make it stand out of the SUV crowd, such as the rakish windshield and the rising beltline over the rear wheels. The CX-7 looks like it can run circles around the Tribute.
The same thing applies to the cockpit. Unique-looking beige leather seats with a black strip stretching down from top to bottom lend a touch of class, while the general atmosphere is upscale and well-finished.
The 244-hp, 2.3-litre turbo engine also drew praise for the acceleration numbers it provides the CX-7 with. The 6-speed automatic is hard at work, keeping the 4-cylinder in its stride, although some found that it shifted quite a lot; most weren't used to a transmission with as many gears, however.
And although we stated it not being a priority, the Mazda's cargo hold is actually quite useful. Tester notes included mention of the release handles on the rear wheel wells that fold down the rear seatbacks, handy when you're loading something in and can't drop it to walk over to the rear doors. But with its light-coloured interior, one person was afraid of getting the cargo area dirty.
The not-so-good stuff
Engine noise was a negative comment that, unsurprisingly, ended up in several evaluation sheets. Not that the 2.3-litre is overly cacophonic, but the raspy, unexciting noise that the engine belts out was underwhelming for some.
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| The turbo power delivery and triggerhappy transmission make the CX-7 feel like it can't make up its mind. |