Our long-term CX-7 has come and gone. Some of us are sad to see it go, while some are indifferent to its departure. It's not that this Mazda isn't a worthy SUV (excuse me, crossover), but as it turns out, some of our testers walked away unimpressed by one thing, and that's the powertrain.
Actually, in this second portion of the CX-7's extended stay with us, the conflicting evaluation forms resulted in a broader range of testers.
Yeahs
No doubt, the CX-7's interior fit and finish deserved unanimous praise, including the smooth leather seats and dashboard design. The 9-speaker stereo (part of the $1,000 Luxury Package) also got a thumbs up from a tester and her family.
"Great handling", noted one person, as the Mazda happily demonstrates the company's sport-oriented driving trademark. "Almost handles like a sports car, but has the stiff ride of a sports car," grumbled another.
Nopes
Alas, the CX-7's 2.3-litre turbo is what impressed testers the least. While it's powerful enough to get the Mazda moving along swiftly, comments flowed about the engine's sound; it moans rather than growls. One tester clearly stated that he didn't like the engine's turbo lag, and he owns a turbocharged GTI.
The $3,150 navigation system worked well for most people, but inevitably, one driver pointed out that his portable unit bought at an electronics store is more convenient to use and cost only a few hundred dollars. And although the CX-7's nav system does include a backup camera, it is rather expensive, even for a built-in system.
Fuel consumption decreased compared to our first long-term report, averaging 12.5 L/100 km. We calculated one tester's numbers at over 15 L/100 km, but we're aware of her Danica Patrick driving style, so we aren't too concerned about her fuel usage.
Actually, in this second portion of the CX-7's extended stay with us, the conflicting evaluation forms resulted in a broader range of testers.
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| The vehicle's driving dynamics and style scored high marks with everybody. |
Yeahs
No doubt, the CX-7's interior fit and finish deserved unanimous praise, including the smooth leather seats and dashboard design. The 9-speaker stereo (part of the $1,000 Luxury Package) also got a thumbs up from a tester and her family.
"Great handling", noted one person, as the Mazda happily demonstrates the company's sport-oriented driving trademark. "Almost handles like a sports car, but has the stiff ride of a sports car," grumbled another.
Nopes
Alas, the CX-7's 2.3-litre turbo is what impressed testers the least. While it's powerful enough to get the Mazda moving along swiftly, comments flowed about the engine's sound; it moans rather than growls. One tester clearly stated that he didn't like the engine's turbo lag, and he owns a turbocharged GTI.
The $3,150 navigation system worked well for most people, but inevitably, one driver pointed out that his portable unit bought at an electronics store is more convenient to use and cost only a few hundred dollars. And although the CX-7's nav system does include a backup camera, it is rather expensive, even for a built-in system.
Fuel consumption decreased compared to our first long-term report, averaging 12.5 L/100 km. We calculated one tester's numbers at over 15 L/100 km, but we're aware of her Danica Patrick driving style, so we aren't too concerned about her fuel usage.
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| Fuel consumption decreased compared to our first long-term report, averaging 12.5 L/100 km. |