4th place: 2009 Mazda CX-7 GT AWD
We admit that we fell in love with the CX-7 when it was launched in the fall of 2006. Today, we still like it a lot, but the honeymoon is over. This change of heart is caused by more competition as well as some little irritants.
Off the bat, our test truck was the slowest of the group, which surprised us a little. Its recorded 0-100 km/h time of 9.7 seconds is a least a second off the pace we were expecting. According to our sound meter, only the Edge was noisier during full-throttle acceleration.
Worse, its fuel economy average during our test was surprisingly high, at 16.5 L/100 km. Now, the CX-7 never was a fuel miser, but it's the most fuel-addicted SUV in our group. We're starting to think that our test vehicle might not have been 100% healthy.
On the other hand, the CX-7 is the most dynamic of the group. Its steering is the best of the bunch, very predictable, although the on-center vagueness means you'll be correcting your trajectory often. The CX-7 also has the best brakes.
If you're a Mazda fan, you all know that facelifts for the CX-7 and the CX-9 are coming our way for the 2010 model year. That won't be a bad thing, since this Mazda is starting to look out of fashion. The interior still looks modern, although quite plasticky compared to the other four rivals here. The dashboard layout is excellent, however.
We applauded the CX-7's cargo space and very low liftover height, and rear-seat passenger space is quite good. The Mazda benefits from an excellent driving position. Unfortunately, fat A-pillars reduce frontward visibility.
We've grown fond of other SUVs since the CX-7's launch, but that doesn't prevent it from remaining an interesting choice. It might not have a prestige badge and seems a little less refined, but the trade-off is a fully-loaded price of just over $40,000, the most affordable of our group.
"Even if it seems old for some of us, I still think it's pretty sharp. Its elegant and unique shape sets it apart, even though its eccentricity naturally makes it age more rapidly." -Luc Gagné.
We admit that we fell in love with the CX-7 when it was launched in the fall of 2006. Today, we still like it a lot, but the honeymoon is over. This change of heart is caused by more competition as well as some little irritants.
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| Very predictable, the steering of the CX-7 is the best of the bunch. |
Off the bat, our test truck was the slowest of the group, which surprised us a little. Its recorded 0-100 km/h time of 9.7 seconds is a least a second off the pace we were expecting. According to our sound meter, only the Edge was noisier during full-throttle acceleration.
Worse, its fuel economy average during our test was surprisingly high, at 16.5 L/100 km. Now, the CX-7 never was a fuel miser, but it's the most fuel-addicted SUV in our group. We're starting to think that our test vehicle might not have been 100% healthy.
On the other hand, the CX-7 is the most dynamic of the group. Its steering is the best of the bunch, very predictable, although the on-center vagueness means you'll be correcting your trajectory often. The CX-7 also has the best brakes.
If you're a Mazda fan, you all know that facelifts for the CX-7 and the CX-9 are coming our way for the 2010 model year. That won't be a bad thing, since this Mazda is starting to look out of fashion. The interior still looks modern, although quite plasticky compared to the other four rivals here. The dashboard layout is excellent, however.
We applauded the CX-7's cargo space and very low liftover height, and rear-seat passenger space is quite good. The Mazda benefits from an excellent driving position. Unfortunately, fat A-pillars reduce frontward visibility.
We've grown fond of other SUVs since the CX-7's launch, but that doesn't prevent it from remaining an interesting choice. It might not have a prestige badge and seems a little less refined, but the trade-off is a fully-loaded price of just over $40,000, the most affordable of our group.
"Even if it seems old for some of us, I still think it's pretty sharp. Its elegant and unique shape sets it apart, even though its eccentricity naturally makes it age more rapidly." -Luc Gagné.
 |
| We applauded the CX-7's cargo space and very low liftover height. |