2007 Mazda CX-7

2007 Mazda CX-7
By Frank Markus

Mazda's suggested test route for the all-new CX-7 crossover started with a long freeway slog, during which the MacPherson-strut front and multilink rear suspension smothered freeway chop with a suppleness that served to reinforce my doubts about the chassis's alleged athleticism. The chaperone riding shotgun fired up the nine-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system, and it sounded darned near good enough to warrant the $1585 package price, even without the moonroof.

Soon our route left the super-slab and headed for the hills, where I predicted I'd be disappointed by this "sports-car crossover." But the little sport/utility scooted around corners flatly with no tire squeal and with linear and communicative steering. Hmph. Even the four-wheel vented disc brakes delivered smooth, strong stops via a firm pedal.

Other things we like include the electronic all-wheel-drive system ($1700) shared with the praiseworthy Mazdaspeed6. A wet clutch on the rear (open) differential directs up to 50 percent of the torque to the rear axle on demand. Mazda's choice of a 2.3-liter, 244-horse four-cylinder turbo also will distinguish the CX-7 from competitors. Based on the Mazdaspeed6's 274-horsepower engine, the CX-7's turbo features a smaller inlet. This limits torque somewhat to protect Mazda's six-speed automatic.

The turbo four is well matched to its manually shiftable tranny. Closely spaced gears keep the turbo on the boil (99 percent of peak torque is available from 2000 to 5000 rpm). Firm shifts accentuate the CX-7's sporty flair, but some part-throttle downshifts felt abrupt, possibly because the turbo boost spools up a split second after the shift, resulting in an unwelcome jerk. We clocked a 0-to-60-mph time of 7.8 seconds, ahead of the similarly sized and equipped 8.1-second Nissan Murano and well ahead of the similarly priced but smaller 8.9-second Honda CR-V automatic. Only the Saturn Vue Redline (7.4 seconds) and likely the new RAV4 V-6 will outrun the CX-7 for similar money.

Rear-seat passengers have plenty of headroom, but to achieve it the rear seat cushion is lower than optimal, putting adult knees in the air and hampering visibility for kids who've just outgrown their booster seats. Cargo space also is slightly cropped, but 60/40 seatbacks fold flat at the flick of a lever to provide 70 inches of nearly flat floor. Flip the carpeted rear floor panel over to carry messy loads on a washable plastic surface. And whatever won't fit in back can be towed in a 2000-pound-capacity trailer.

CX-7s come in three flavors: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring, distinguished only by standard equipment, not badges. Sport models start at $24,310, with six airbags and stability control. Another $1750 buys heated leather seats with power for the driver, and for $26,860 the Grand Touring gets HID headlamps, fogs, and fancier trim. The pricing lines up with the V-6 cute 'utes, while the size and spec rivals midline models like the Toyota Highlander.