Mazda Discontinues the CX-7

The CX-7 was launched for model-year 2007 and has seen only modest sales, including 35,641 units last year. Major competitors easily outsell it: Honda sold 218,373 CR-Vs in 2011–before the redesigned version went on sale. One of the CX-7’s issues was size; at 184.3 inches long, it was too small to be considered a true midsize SUV and too big to compete in the compact class.

Mazda is hoping CX-5 will better meet consumers’ needs. It’s smaller than the CX-7, but offers more passenger room. It has 103.8 cubic feet of interior volume, while the CX-7 has 101.7. A competitive base price and an attractive fuel-efficient engine also should help. Power comes from a 155-horsepower four-cylinder with an EPA-estimated 26/32/29 mpg city/highway/combined rating. The 2013 CX-5 is on sale now with a starting price of $20,695, excluding a $795 destination fee.