Mazda Cx 7

From 3arf

I think of the Mazda CX-7 as a “taller” version of the Mazda 3 hatchback with more room.  The CX-7 (and the 7-passenger CX-9) is Mazda’s crossover vehicle that rides like a car, but has the utility of an SUV.  I have been trying to narrow things down between the 3 and the CX-7 based on two things:  One is utility and the other one is gas mileage.  Without a doubt, the Mazda 3 (2.5 hatchback) gets tremendously great gas mileage at 25 miles per gallon in the city, and 29 miles per gallon on the highway, while the CX-7 gets about a couple of miles per gallon less.   If this was the case, then I would rather go for the CX-7 because of visibility issues.  The CX-7 is a great car for those who want to get that SUV like feel on a car’s platform, but does not want to compromise the gas mileage of an SUV.

The Mazda CX-7 comes in four trim levels.  There is the base SV, the Sport, the Touring and the Grand Touring.  Both the SV and Sport models come with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine similar to the smaller Mazda 3 which produces 170 horsepower to the front wheels.  The Grand Touring comes with a heftier turbocharged engine that produces 244 horsepower.  As far as features are concerned, here is the run-down:  The base SV comes with your normal cloth seats, power windows and door locks, manually-adjusted front seats, and air conditioning.  The Sport trim comes with Bluetooth and a sunroof.  When you step up to the Touring/Grand Touring model, you would get leather seats (optional on the Touring, standard on the Grand Touring), a Blind Spot Monitoring system, and an upgraded BOSE sound system; and, of course, the more powerful turbocharged engine.

Here is a fun fact that some people probably already knew about:  Although the CX-7 is heavier than the RX-8 in terms of curb weight, the 244 horsepower turbo-charged engine is more powerful than the RX-8’s rotary engine that produces 232 horsepower with the manual transmission; the automatic transmission’s engine only produces a measly 212 horsepower.  So, what is a guy to do?  Go for the more powerful engine if you are into speed and fun for a crossover.  If you are looking for some utility from a Mazda 3 but needs some more power, CX-7 is the way to go.  You may be sitting up a bit higher on the CX-7, but you will be getting a lot of power in the Grand Touring model and you do not have to worry about not being able to drive a manual like you would in a MazdaSpeed 3 or an RX-8.

Do I have my doubts and certainties about the CX-7?  Not really; the CX-7 feels really sporty for a crossover, and the styling is not that subtle.  Cargo room for computer equipment, music gear, and a couple of golf bags is more than average.  The Toyota RAV4 may have a bit more room, but as far as the Honda CR-V goes?  Meh…not really my style (even though I have been a Honda guy for three years).  One slight flaw that I have on the CX-7 goes to technology; sure, the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring models have Bluetooth standard, but an AUX-in jack for iPod integration?  Come on, Mazda…step up to the plate a bit.  Also, the Bluetooth does not let you download your phone book contacts into the phone; you have to call up your contacts the “old-fashioned” way (push the button and say “Dial/Call [put phone number here].”

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://3arf.org/en/index.php?title=Mazda_Cx_7&oldid=11304"