Mazda CX-7 s Grand Touring: One Sporty Crossover

What’s New:

The sporty Mazda CX-7 five-passenger crossover first hit the scene in 2006 as a 2007 model. After four years of being on the market, the CX-7 receives its first mild makeover, incorporating the brand’s trademark grille, a new rear bumper design, a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine option, a new steering wheel with easy-to-use integrated controls for the radio and cruise control and a Blind Spot safety monitoring system.

Must Have Goodies:

The Mazda CX-7 is available in several models in either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration. Buyers can opt for the base SV model up to the glammed-up s Grand Touring edition. Depending on how the vehicle is optioned the vehicle can be equipped with heated leather seats, a 4-way power passenger seat, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear-seat entertainment system, a navigational system, a 9-speaker high-powered Bose audio system, an in-dash 6-disc cd changer, a keyless start system, a rear-view camera, a rear spoiler, a power sunroof, Xenon headlights, a Blind Spot Monitoring System, 18-inch or 19-inch wheels and wheel locks. 

What Rocked:

While we realize this is a crossover, the sporty looking design of the 66-degree windshield angle, the swoopy exterior design along with the optional 19-inch wheel package makes this vehicle sleeker than many sports cars. This is one vehicle the fellows won’t mind driving, when the kids aren’t in tow. Being behind the wheel of this crossover still reminds us of the fun-to-drive factor we found in the compact-size Mazda3. Conversely, unlike the Mazda 3, the CX-7 is quite roomy and can easily accommodate occupants in the rear.

We also were smitten with the new Blind Spot safety monitoring system. We believe this is one of the best safety inventions out today outside of a radar-controlled cruise control system. With the safety alert system, it help the driver avoid collisions with other vehicles, when changing lanes or merging with traffic. When a vehicle or other object enters the detection area, a warning lamp in the door mirror on the relevant side comes on to alert the driver.  If the driver should then switch on the turn signal, the system will emit a warning sound and flash the lamp.

And, if multiple drivers are in the game plan, the upscale Grand Touring model offers a three-position memory function for the driver. Thus, up to three different drivers can program their seats.

What We Hated:

Surprisingly the door locks must be manually locked and unlocked on this vehicle like every other Mazda we’ve reviewed. Why is it that automatic door locks aren’t standard on this vehicle?  With the 4-cylinder Chevy Equinox (and GMC Terrain) achieving about 500 miles on one tank of gas, we were disappointed that we struggled to achieve 350 miles on one tank of gas with the 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder turbo we reviewed.  Ironically, the CX-7 newest engine option, 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder is capable of achieving 20 miles in the city and 28 miles on the highway, according to the EPA. This is still less than what GM is offering in their pair of 4-cylinder compact crossovers, the Equinox and the

Terrain.

Furthermore, while we appreciate the navigation system, why is it so compact? While we realize there isn’t much room due to the layout of the instrument panel to place a larger navigation system, the engineers need to rethink the

Any Juice:

The CX-7 continues to offer the zoom factor with the peppy 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve, 4-cylinder, turbo engine, which delivers 244-horsepower.

The Verdict:

The Mazda CX-7 has managed to emphasize the zoom factor in its midsize, five-seater crossover, making the vehicle cool to drive for both brothers and sisters with or without kids. The curvaceous futuristic design along with the 19-inch optional wheels and the dual exhaust pipes can easily deceive many drivers. One will easily forget that they’re driving a crossover, as opposed to the compact size Mazda3.However, as we noted earlier, the CX-7 can easily accommodate five occupants.    

Pricing for the base CX-7 starts at $22,450 and can zoom to $36,810, with the fully-optioned s Grand Touring all-wheel drive model. At the high-end, pricing of the five-passenger CX-7 could clash with the roomier and larger seven-seater CX-9.

Competition:

2010 Chevy Equinox, 2010 Dodge Journey, 2010 Ford Escape, 2010 GMC Terrain, 2010 Mercury Mariner, 2010 Nissan Murano, 2010 Toyota Venza and 2010 VW Tiguan