Vehicle Overview
The five-seat CX-7 serves as Mazda’s entry in the popular compact crossover segment. Available with a choice of four-cylinders including a turbocharged engine, the CX-7 competes with the Ford Edge, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Equinox.
New for 2012
There are no significant changes for the 2012 model year.
Exterior
The CX-7 is comparable in size to other midsize crossovers, though it’s relatively narrow and more likely than most to be called a hatchback. Exterior features include:
- Standard 17-inch and optional 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels
- Standard power mirrors; optional heated mirrors
- Automatic on/off headlights
- Optional fog lamps
- Optional xenon high-intensity-discharge headlamps
Interior
The CX-7 seats up to five. The dashboard features double-decker construction, with a large information display at the windshield’s base. Folding down the rear seats provides a nearly flat load floor, and the seatbacks and cargo compartment are finished in plastic. Interior features include:
- Standard keyless entry
- Telescoping sport steering wheel with audio and cruise-control switches
- Optional heated front seats
- Optional power moonroof
- Optional navigation system
- Optional backup camera
Under the Hood
The standard normally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes with a five-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder is optional. Mechanical features include:
- Standard 161-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 161 pounds-feet of torque
- Optional 244-hp, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 258 pounds-feet of torque
- Standard five-speed automatic; six-speed automatic with turbo engine
- All-wheel drive available with turbo engine
Safety
Safety features include:
- Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
- Standard antilock brakes with brake assist
- Standard electronic stability system and traction control
- Optional blind spot warning system
