Mazda’s motivation behind the new 2010 CX-7 is simple: widen the client base. Here’s the deal. The CX-7 compact crossover was launched in 2006 as a 2007 model. Since then, over 8,000 units have been sold across the country. But Mazda is raising the bar – by lowering it.
The automaker is aiming for the bottom-end, to be precise. You see, the all-wheel-drive CX-7 with 244-hp turbo engine occupies the middle of the range in the compact crossover segment, leaving the low-end to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV, which respectively account for 15 and 10% of the market. To compete with its two Japanese rivals, the CX-7 had to be taken down a notch.
And so we now have the 2010 Mazda CX-7 GX, available from $27,995 and as a front-wheel drive model, powered by a new naturally-aspirated, 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder mill generating 161 hp and 161 lb-ft of torque while mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
Note that this segment (SUVs and compact crossovers) is the second largest in Canada, accounting for 15% of the automotive market; the compact sedan segment is number one with 25% of the market.
A more affordable CX-7
So Mazda is taking advantage of this untapped “window” in the low end of the range to offer us a more affordable and fuel efficient CX-7 and breathe new life into a model in the middle of its life cycle. The CX-7 benefits from a facelift mainly affecting the front end, which now more closely resembles the rest of the family with a large, “smiling” grille and the addition of two big lateral air intakes.
The cabin has also been updated, with a higher quality dash board finish, more comfortable armrests, less glaring surfaces and a rejuvenated steering wheel now boasting a greater number of controls (audio, Bluetooth, cruise control). Mazda also decided to update the instrument cluster, but the speedometer’s numbers could still be a little bigger. Praise is due the centre console, which now sports accessible and user-friendly controls. Thank you Mazda for ignoring the damn multipurpose knob that the German manufacturers are so fond of!
The seats aren’t up to par though, as their cushion is way too short. For the long-legged this means you’re virtually sitting directly on your butt cheeks, which is tiring after a while. The smooth leather seats should also be shucked, replaced with perforated leather or simply fabric that isn’t so sticky in hot weather.
The automaker is aiming for the bottom-end, to be precise. You see, the all-wheel-drive CX-7 with 244-hp turbo engine occupies the middle of the range in the compact crossover segment, leaving the low-end to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV, which respectively account for 15 and 10% of the market. To compete with its two Japanese rivals, the CX-7 had to be taken down a notch.
And so we now have the 2010 Mazda CX-7 GX, available from $27,995 and as a front-wheel drive model, powered by a new naturally-aspirated, 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder mill generating 161 hp and 161 lb-ft of torque while mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.
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Note that this segment (SUVs and compact crossovers) is the second largest in Canada, accounting for 15% of the automotive market; the compact sedan segment is number one with 25% of the market.
A more affordable CX-7
So Mazda is taking advantage of this untapped “window” in the low end of the range to offer us a more affordable and fuel efficient CX-7 and breathe new life into a model in the middle of its life cycle. The CX-7 benefits from a facelift mainly affecting the front end, which now more closely resembles the rest of the family with a large, “smiling” grille and the addition of two big lateral air intakes.
The cabin has also been updated, with a higher quality dash board finish, more comfortable armrests, less glaring surfaces and a rejuvenated steering wheel now boasting a greater number of controls (audio, Bluetooth, cruise control). Mazda also decided to update the instrument cluster, but the speedometer’s numbers could still be a little bigger. Praise is due the centre console, which now sports accessible and user-friendly controls. Thank you Mazda for ignoring the damn multipurpose knob that the German manufacturers are so fond of!
The seats aren’t up to par though, as their cushion is way too short. For the long-legged this means you’re virtually sitting directly on your butt cheeks, which is tiring after a while. The smooth leather seats should also be shucked, replaced with perforated leather or simply fabric that isn’t so sticky in hot weather.
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