AZCentral.com's view

Although crossover SUVs 4 are most often characterized as tall station wagons, with the chassis of cars and the carrying capacity of sport utilities, there is an emerging class that truly blurs the line between car and SUV. Mazda CX-7 4 is the latest, coming off as more of a brawny hatchback car than any kind of SUV. The styling is sleekly aerodynamic, and the attitude is far more sport than utility. This is not a new concept, with such crossovers as Nissan Murano4 and Acura RSX 4 already moving the mark away from traditional SUVs. Crossovers are a booming trend in the SUV market as more people realize they don’t need the towing, hauling or rock-climbing abilities of truck-based sport utilities but still want the look, versatility and the higher seating position. New for 2007, CX-7 takes that a bit further, making no pretense of truck ruggedness but presenting itself as a go-anywhere sport vehicle looking for its next adventure. Based on the solid Mazda 6 chassis, CX-7 drives like a well-tuned automobile, handling nicely within the limits of a high-profile vehicle and returning plenty of driver input from its firm suspension and responsive steering. Fun, in other words. But of the road-trip variety rather than backwoods trail hopping. The tradeoff is reduced cargo space and rear-seat comfort. CX-7 carries forward Mazda’s effort to set itself apart as a sporting brand, with Zoom-Zoom marketing that declares every Mazda vehicle has “the soul of a sports car.”

PERFORMANCE: CX-7 goes its own road with engine power, using a small but powerful turbocharged inline four, which delivers good acceleration and the sporty feel so desired by Mazda. The competitors all use V-6 engines that have higher displacement, but Mazda’s turbo engine puts out as much or more horsepower and torque. Fuel mileage is disappointing, though, considering the engine type and the slippery body shape. The six-speed automatic is an excellent unit, shifting smoothly and responsively, with a good-functioning manual-shift feature.

DRIVABILITY: Mazda’s claim that CX-7 handles like a sports car is far-fetched because, let’s face it, a 2-ton craft with a high center of gravity just won’t slice through the corners like a Miata. But for what it is, CX-7 handles pretty well, with good steering and strong brakes. The crossover comes standard with a full contingent of safety gear, including electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and traction control, plus side and side-curtain air bags.

STYLING: With its bold stance, dramatically raked windshield and 18-inch alloy wheels, CX-7 has the stylized look of a sports sedan grown big. But the thick pillars supporting that steep windshield are an annoying obstruction to driver vision.

INTERIOR: A nicely trimmed, straightforward dashboard and a center console with a huge storage bin under the armrest, plus comfortable, supportive seats up front. Rear-seat passengers don’t fare as well, with limited legroom and a claustrophobic feel. Cargo space behind the rear seat is not so great, either, although the back seat folds flat for more stowage. The Touring model comes complete with power and comfort features.

BOTTOM LINE: CX-7 is moderately priced, considering the style and performance, with the base front-drive model starting at just over $24,000.

Mazda CX-7 Touring

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door crossover SUV, all-wheel drive. Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four, 244 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 258 pound-feet torque at 2,500 rpm. Transmission: Six-speed automatic. Wheelbase: 108.3 inches. Overall length: 184 inches. Curb weight: 3,929 pounds. EPA rating: 18 city, 24 highway.

HIGHS: Distinctive styling, carlike handling, engine power. LOWS: Thick windshield pillars, mediocre gas mileage, tight back seat.

Pricing

Base price: $27,200. Price as tested: $29,345.

OPTIONS Moonroof, Bose audio upgrade with nine-speaker surround sound, $1,585. Shipping, $560.