Mazda did a nice job of redefining its brand as an affordable blend of sporty looks with spirited handling (think Zoom Zoom). The genesis dates back to 1989, when the iconic Mazda MX-5 Miata entered the fray (debuting at the Chicago Auto Show). The eye-catching two-door not only re-energized the affordable roadster segment, but served as a halo vehicle for the Japanese automaker, once better known for its foray into lightweight, potent, but fuel-inefficient rotary engines.
Fast forward to 2011 and just about every Mazda vehicle taps into snappy good looks wrapped around responsive handling.
The mid-size Mazda CX-7 debuted in the 2007 model year, joining a growing number of mid-size crossover utilities appealing to consumers desiring interior room of a sport utility, but without heavy-duty underpinnings. It's based on a car, not a bulkier truck platform. Most rivals including the Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe and GMC Terrain offer two rows of seating. A few including the Toyota Highlander ($27,540 starting price) offer a third row, but with mid-size dimensions, the last row's comfort level is questionable. Mazda's CX-7 is an exclusive five seater. For a third row, buyers need to graduate to the CX-9 crossover. Changes for CX-7 from 2010 to 2011 are minimal.
A few competitors like Ford's Edge ($27,220 starting price) offer six-cylinder engines, but more and more mid-size crossovers are committing exclusively to four cylinders to meet stricter federal fuel economy standards.
Don't expect lowered performance expectations with four cylinders. Since its debut, the CX-7 has offered a turbocharged, 2.3-liter, 16-valve job delivering an ample 244 horses with power for passing on the highway. Turbo charged engines are one way to generate V-6 numbers with the weight of a four banger. Unlike many other turbos, the CX-7's is designed to utilize regular unleaded.
Four trim levels (SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring) return in 2011. All are front-wheel drive while Touring and Grand Touring add a Chicago-friendly an all-wheel drive option with active torque split automatically delivering up to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels when needed. Air conditioning, cruise control compact disc player, MP3 capabilities along with power doors, windows and locks come standard. Satellite radio comes standard in Grand Touring and naturally aspirated Touring models.
The base engine for 2011 is a 2.5-liter, 16-valve naturally-aspirated four cylinder delivering 161 horses (on board since 2010), standard in SV, Sport, and for 2011, Touring. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, Mazda's CX-7 forgoes a five-speed manual. Our tester included the turbo four married to a six-speed automatic. This transmission offers a 'manual shift mode' allowing manual movement of forward gears without a foot clutch by gently nudging the floor-mounted shifter.
The CX-7 prioritizes performance over fuel economy with naturally-aspirated engines generating 20 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway with front drive. The turbo four with all-wheel-drive delivers 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Estimates are below what many competitors bring to the table.
The four trim levels each offer a varying degree of equipment; only two option packages are available. A Sport Trim Convenience Package ($1,750) adds heated front seats, moon roof, power driver seat, automatic climate control and multi-information display with rearview camera. A Touring Technology Package ($2,185) comes in turbo Touring editions adding a moon roof automatic climate control, in-dash six-unit CD player, multi information screen and Satellite Radio with six-month subscription. Several stand alone options are available in all trims including a second-row overhead DVD entertainment system ($1,200), remote engine start ($350) and rear spoiler ($400).
Mazda supplied one of the most opulent trims for a testing; a top-line Grand Touring all wheel drive turbo with a $33,340 starting price. The only option was a $125 rear bumper guard bringing the bottom line to $34,260 including a $795 destination charge. Mazda's starting price for a front-drive base SV trim with standard automatic transmission is $21,990, substantially below Edge and Highlander.
As with the recently tested subcompact Mazda 2, the front end, with cat's eye headlights, circular Mazda middle logo and large lower air vent create a smiling, happy expression. It has character. A high side belt line and narrowing cargo-area windows create an aggressive stance. The slightly raised hood narrows to towards the front along the arched fender's contours. It's aerodynamic, not chunky. The windshield's 66-degree slant is more at home in sports cars, not crossovers. The manually-operated hatchback, with standard rear wiper, opens high enough for headroom clearance for those six-feet four- inches and shorter. A temporary spare tire situates under the cargo-area's flat floor. Grand Touring adds standard fog lights and dual exhausts. Tire sizes get larger (17, 18 and 19 inch) the farther one travels up the trim levels.
The CX-7's 73.7-inch width is narrower than Ford Edge and Toyota Highlander, so two adults fit with optimum comfort in row two, although three could get friendly together for short jaunts. Leather seating surfaces are standard in Grand Touring and Touring, cloth surfaces everywhere else. Once buttons on the tops of each end of the 60/40 split seat backs are pressed, backs fold forward onto the cushions. A fold-down armrest houses two cup holders. Each side door includes single holders. Head and leg room in back is average at best with a bit more noggin clearance for front riders.
The instrument panel (black in Grand Touring, grey elsewhere) includes three, independent circular analog gauges with brushed aluminum trim. At night, the instrument panel and center stack illuminate with hot red backlighting. For added eye appeal, electric blue outlines encircle each gauge with bright white needles. Five circular vents are interspersed across the dashboard. Atop the center stack are two digital message windows positioned below a long lip-like structure extending from one end to the other. One provides temperature and fan speed direction with red illumination while the left window displays outside temperature and doubles as a rear-view, backup camera feed (standard in Grand Touring and naturally-aspirated Touring).
Large, easy-to-grab ventilation controls along the bottom-middle of the center stack include dials for the single zone temperature and fan speed and buttons for fan direction. The non-partitioned glove box opens up as one large container. Portable electronics have a power source via a cigarette-style port near the floor-mounted automatic transmission shifter. Keyless ignition is standard solely in Grand Touring.
Averaged-sized side view mirrors include secondary built-in blinkers. Grand Touring comes standard with a blind-spot monitoring system whereby amber icons illuminate inside the sideview mirrors when vehicles travel along side. If drivers flip the turn signal stalk in preparation for a lane change (with a vehicle lurking in the blind spot), a beeping chime sounds, warning of possible danger. Standard safety features across the board include anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, stability control, side curtain airbags and front row side-impact airbags.
Handling remains tight while responsive, so a slight steering wheel nudge motivates the vehicles. A gentle touch of the brakes starts slowing down this rather heavy 3,787-pound vehicle. The powertrain warranty coverage is for five years or 60,000 miles. Mazda assembles the CX-7 in Japan.
2011 Mazda CX-7Price as Tested: $33,465
Engine: 2.3-liter, four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 244
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches
Length: 184.3 inches
Fuel Economy: 17 city/21 hwy.
Curb weight: 3,787 pounds
Built: Japan
Destination Charge: $795