By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National April 29, 2009Vehicle Overview
The CX-7 five-seat crossover offers a non-turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the first time in the 2010 model, providing a higher-mileage option for those who don't crave the turbocharged engine's 244 horsepower. Priced between the Tribute and the large CX-9 crossover in the Mazda lineup, the CX-7 was designed to deliver the utility of a small SUV and the driving experience of a passenger car. Its competitors include the Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano in one regard, but the CX-7's sporty nature and wagon-like shape also liken it to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Infiniti EX35.
New for 2009
The CX-7's exterior and interior restyling brings it in line with Mazda's new design direction, the hallmark of which is the smile-shaped grille. Mazda says the CX-7's body has been enhanced to increase rigidity and lower wind and other noise. The suspension has been slightly retuned.
Exterior
At 184 inches long and 73.7 inches wide, the CX-7 is comparable to other midsize crossovers, though it's relatively narrow and more likely than most to be called a wagon.
- Redesigned nose, rear bumper and front fog lamp bezels (Grand Touring)
- Standard 17-inch and optional 18- or new 19-inch alloy wheels
- Standard power mirrors (heated on Grand Touring)
- Automatic on/off headlights
- Optional fog lamps
- Optional moonroof
- Optional xenon headlamps (Grand Touring)
Interior
The CX-7 seats up to five. As before, the dashboard features double-decker construction, but with a new, larger information display at the base of the windshield.
Folding rear seats provide a nearly flat load floor when down, and the seatbacks and rear cargo compartment are coated in plastic. With the rear seats up, cargo volume is 29.9 cubic feet, and with the seats down cargo volume expands to 58.6 cubic feet. Overall, the CX-7's cargo room is tighter than most crossovers in its class. At 101.7 cubic feet, passenger space is comparable to its competitors.
- Cloth and leather upholstery redesigned
- Redesigned telescoping sport steering wheel with audio and cruise-control switches
- New blue-ring gauges
- Softer armrests and center console (Grand Touring)
- Standard keyless entry
- Heated front seats (Touring and Grand Touring)
- Optional power moonroof
- Optional nine-speaker Bose audio system
- Optional navigation unit with rearview camera
Under the Hood
The new normally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes only on the SV and Sport trim levels, with a five-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Now optional, the turbocharged 2.3-liter carries over from the previous model year.
- Standard 161-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 161 pounds-feet of torque
- Optional 244-hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 258 pounds-feet of torque
- Standard five-speed automatic; six-speed auto with turbo engine
- 21/28 mpg (estimated) with four-cylinder
- All-wheel drive available with turbo engine
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
- Standard antilock braking system with brake assist
- Standard electronic stability and traction control
- Blind spot warning system a new option
- Optional backup camera
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Mike Hanley | Cars.com National | February 12, 2010 |
| Cars.com Staff | Cars.com National | April 29, 2009 |
Affiliate Reviews
| Sherrice Gilsbach | Mother Proof | June 11, 2010 |
| G. Chambers Williams III | Star-Telegram.com | January 28, 2010 |
| Tom Strongman | KansasCity.com | December 11, 2009 |
| Warren Brown | washingtonpost.com | September 6, 2009 |
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