Mazda's CX-7 combines SUV utility with sports car driving dynamics.
By Mike Meredith of MSN autos
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Mazda set out to build an SUV with the soul of a sports car and the CX-7 is the result.
The Mazda3 compact sedan and the Mazda6 midsize sedan both offer as much "fun-to-drive" quotient as any vehicle in their category, and Mazda promises the same with the new CX-7 crossover SUV.
Described as a crossover SUV with the soul of a sports car, the CX-7 took us on the interstates and rural two-lane roads of Virginia. We found the CX-7 to be consistent with that Mazda reputation, while also delivering the versatility that SUV owners demand.
Sporty Attitude and Aggressive Styling
"Mazda set out to develop an SUV that combines the attributes of an SUV with the soul of a sports car," explained David Matthew, the vehicle line manager of the Mazda CX-7. "We saw this as an opportunity because small SUVs are not just for small families, but are very individualistic, and current SUVs over-deliver on family attributes and under-deliver on performance aspects."
The sporty attitude of the CX-7 begins with a bold, aggressive exterior styling that was first shown in the MX-Crossport concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, and that overall design has been carried through to the production CX-7.
With bold fender flares, a steeply raked windshield, a tapered side-window graphic an
d large wheels and tires, the styling is the first indication of the intentions of this SUV. Iwao Koizumi, CX-7 chief designer, describes the key images of the exterior styling as "Sporty! Sturdy! Sleek!" Designed primarily for the North American market, the CX-7 has a front end that bears a strong family resemblance to other Mazda models, including the trademark five-pointed grille and large air intake and bulging fenders particular to Mazda's flagship RX-8 sports car.
The profile draws its strength from a kicked-up beltline that finishes with big shoulders and a tapered side glass graphic. The rear of the vehicle incorporates cylindrical taillights and large dual exhaust outlets. All CX-7 versions will come with the 18-inch split 5-spoke aluminum wheels, P235/60R18 tires and deep-tinted glass.
Koizumi described the interior design as a relaxed but sporty cockpit that features the same steering wheel as the legendary MX-5 Miata roadster. Special attention has been paid to the special relationship between the steering wheel and the gear shift, so the driver's hand moves from steering wheel to gear shift in the exact same manner as in the MX-5—which means it is positioned higher than in most SUVs.
Koizumi called the dashboard a "double-roof" design, with one shroud over the instrument cluster and a second level that runs the width of the dash and shades the audio system information display at the center. The effect eliminates that large, flat surface found in many other vehicles, and it works well with the steeply raked windshield.
The interior has a comfortable, purposeful feel with good quality materials including soft-trim graining designed for color match, minimal reflectivity and low gloss. The interior layout and controls offer excellent ergonomics. The center stack includes audio system and climate controls, and the center console includes two cupholders and a deep storage compartment that will accommodate a laptop computer.
In the cargo area, the releases for the 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks are located within easy reach from the rear hatch, and the seatbacks will fold flat when the passenger seat is adjusted all the way back and the headrests are in place. The two sections of the cargo floor are plastic on the back, so they can be turned over to protect the carpet when carrying cargo.
An AM/FM/CD audio system is standard with SIRIUS satellite radio available as an option. A touch-screen DVD-based navigation system with voice commands and a rearview camera system are available, as well as a Bose premium sound system package that includes nine speakers, approximately 240 watts of amplification, a six-disc CD changer and a CENTERPOINT surround-sound system that offers five-channel digital imaging.
Delivering the Performance
It might be tempting to wonder if the CX-7 is Ford's new Edge crossover SUV in Mazda clothing, but the CX-7 is all Mazda. While it does share some components with the Edge, the CX-7 is based on Mazda6 architecture, with the front suspension derived from the new MPV minivan for the Japanese market. The rear suspension is based on the Mazda3 suspension design.
At the heart of the CX-7 is a new version of the turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that powers Mazda's high-performance MAZDASPEED6 sedan. The Mazda MZR 2.3 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) engine produces 244 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm in the CX-7.
One of the changes from the MAZDASPEED6 application of the MZR engine is the use of a new turbocharger that improves throttle response at low rpm and reduces turbo-lag.
Mated to a new 6-speed Sport AT automatic transmission with manual shift mode, the CX-7 is offered in either front-wheel drive or with Mazda's Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive. The AWD system uses a computer-controlled coupling integrated with the rear differential to deliver up to half the available torque to the rear wheels on demand. Torque distribution is optimized based on information from sensors that monitor the engine, individual wheel speeds, ABS operation, and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system.
With four-wheel independent suspension, at the front the CX-7 uses a perimeter frame that is mounted to the unibody through six rubber isolators and supports the powertrain, the engine-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering and a low friction MacPherson strut suspension system.
At the rear, the multilink suspension consists of one trailing arm and two lateral locating members per side. The rear springs are positioned to maximize interior cargo area and the dampers are located between the wheel hubs and the unibody to provide excellent motion control with minimal friction. Coil springs and anti-roll bars are an integral part of both suspension systems. The four-wheel ventilated disc brake system integrates the ABS, Traction Control System (TCS), and DSC functions.
Sporty But Not Quite a Sports Car
While the CX-7 is a sporty SUV that is fun to drive, the bottom line is that it is not a sports car. Sports car attitude in an SUV body, perhaps, but at nearly 4,000 pounds when equipped with all-wheel drive, the CX-7 weighs almost 900 pounds more than an RX-8 and more than 1,400 pounds more than an MX-5 Miata, so the similarities begin to fade.
But saying the CX-7 is not a sports car is not really a criticism—it's as sporty as an SUV can be and still have plenty of room to haul five passengers and cargo—yet it can still holds its own on rough, twisty two-lane roads.
The MZR 2.3 DISI provides a satisfying level of power for almost all driving conditions and combined with the new 6-speed Sport AT makes an excellent package. Like most vehicles with turbocharged engines, the CX-7 is deceptively quick—drivers often feel as if they are traveling faster than the speedometer indicates.
The CX-7 will cruise comfortably above posted limits with ample power available for passing. The transmission is very smooth with upshifts, and finds the correct gear quickly and smoothly when a downshift is necessary. The only time the drivetrain felt a little strained during our drive was on a long, fairly steep uphill grade at freeway speed.
The rack-and-pinion power steering is quick and easy to use at low speeds and adjusts to the right level of effort for a sporty feel when the CX-7 gets pushed harder. The suspension and brakes are really impressive when hustling on rough two-lane roads, reminding the driver that Mazda promised a combination of a sports car and an SUV.
Even when the road is broken or uneven, the suspension works well to keep the CX-7 pointed where the driver demands. When cresting small hills at speed, the rear suspension keeps the rear tires in contact with the road without any unnecessary suspension movement or causing a change in direction.
The brakes also mimic sports car performance with quick, consistent stops on rough pavement or smooth, and no complaints after being pushed hard.
The CX-7s that we drove were all equipped with AWD, but the drive route did not include any off-road work. No low-range is available, and AWD is offered for the performance advantage over front-wheel drive, rather than for serious off-roading.
Not Only for Families
Mazda explained that this is not a vehicle primarily for families, although it will seat five adults—it's intended as a different type of vehicle for individualistic singles or couples who want the emotion of a sports car but need the utility of an SUV.
While Mazda sees the primary competition for the CX-7 to be the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, they also expect it will appeal to customers who are interested in the Nissan Murano.
The CX-7 is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. Standard equipment for Sport includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, six airbags, ABS, DSC and TSC. The Touring adds leather trim for the seats, steering wheel and shift knob; a power driver's seat; heated front seats and a retractable cargo cover.
The Grand Touring features leather with a black sport seat stripe, high-intensity discharge headlights, fog lights, body-color mirrors, chrome door handles, automatic interior climate control and electro-luminescent gauges.
The MSRP starts at $23,750 for the Sport, $25,500 for the Touring and $26,300 for the Grand Touring, not including a destination charge of $560 ($680 for Alaska). All three trim levels add AWD for an additional $1,700.
The CX-7 is not intended to replace the Tribute compact SUV, which continues in Mazda's lineup as a more traditional compact SUV package. Both will be joined by the new CX-9 crossover, geared toward families and have seating for seven—but that vehicle does not arrive until the end of this year.
