2007 Mazda CX-7 Review
Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.
An SUV with zoom-zoom instead of room-room
.jpg "2007 Mazda CX-7")
Continue to more photos from MyRide.com
Introduction
What We Drove
Nimble, yes. Sporty, not so much. The aging Tribute SUV has trouble meeting the expectations of Mazda's zoom-zoom brand identity, so the new CX-7 swoops in to feed the need for speed. Turbocharged and tuned for driving on the pavement rather than off, the CX-7 is available in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims with front- or all-wheel drive. Prices start at $24,345 and we tested a Grand Touring AWD with a sticker of $29,585. After a week behind the wheel, including a rocking good time racing up and down mountain roads, it's clear that the CX-7 possesses the soul of a sports car if not outright athleticism.
Why We Drove It
The Mazda CX-7 is brand new for 2007, a sleek crossover arriving at a time when consumers are switching from traditional SUVs to these more efficient car-based sport-utes in record numbers. Aimed at people who love to drive (our staff), the CX-7 gets the same turbocharged four-cylinder as the MazdaSpeed 3 and 6, making 244 horsepower in this application and optionally coupled with Mazda's active torque-split AWD system. Forget about third-row seats; there isn't one in this SUV. Instead, the CX-7 provides a good-sized cargo area and a flat load floor. Acura sells a similar package called the RDX at a premium price, but also provides premium materials and equipment not found on the Mazda.
Performance
Mazda's 2.3L DISI turbo four-cylinder, when paired to this six-speed automatic, displays aggravating turbo lag. Direct injection supposedly cuts this inherent detriment to turbocharged engines, but doesn't reduce the phenomenon enough in the CX-7's powertrain. In city driving you'll get halfway across an intersection before the turbo kicks in and then it's more aggressive than I'd like. Manually shifting the automatic is made harder by a counterintuitive shift pattern requiring the driver to shift up for a downshift and shift down for an upshift. Once spooled up, this blown motor is entertaining, resulting in our unimpressive gas mileage average of 16.7 mpg.
Continue to 2007 Mazda CX-7 Review from MyRide.com
© 2008 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.
Drifting Articles:
2007 Mazda CX-9 Review
Mazda CX-9 - 2007 Review: While some would argue the validity of evolution as a human condition, there is no denying its role in the world of automobiles.
2007 Acura RDX Preview
Forced induction. It's the technology behind turbochargers, widely used by companies like Subaru, Volkswagen, and Saab to harness more power from, typically, four-cylinder motors.
2008 Lexus LS 600h L First Drive
Lexus LS 600h L - First Drive: When vehicles cost more than $100,000, practical considerations are generally low on the list.
Nissan Announces Pricing on All-New Second Generation 2005 Xterra SUV
Last Feb. 9, 2005, Nissan North America, Inc.
Heavy Rebates Impact IntelliChoice.com's Best New Car Deals for May : Top deals include the Hyundai Sonata among large cars and the Nissan Quest in
CAMPBELL, Calif. (Business Wire EON) May 13, 2008 -- IntelliChoice.com (www.intellichoice.com), the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its ?Best Deals of the Month? for cars, trucks, and SUVs for the month of May, 2008. Once again, big car rebates play a major role in determining which vehicles give car buyers the most bang for their buck.
Washington DC Mazda Dealer Will Help You Find The Perfect Car
Finding a new vehicle can be quite a chore for many individuals. Many people quickly grow tired of reading the fine print in newspaper advertisements or wrestling with animation laden web pages. For the uninitiated, consider spending an afternoon with the Washington DC Mazda dealer (http://www.ourismanmazda.com/)ships. They almost always have a deal underway.
2007 Lexus ES 350 First Drive
Lexus ES 350 - 2007 First Drive: It must be good to be Lexus in the 21st century. Leveraging the might and reach of parent company Toyota's manufacturing, design and engineering resources, it's like Lexus has its own little global sales incubator, hatching hordes of luxury car intenders ready to trade up.
New Survey Says Mazda Drivers Are Happier
A recent study has revealed Mazda drivers are the happiest drivers on the roads, beating other top brands such as Ford and Holden. Although Toyota drivers were the most loyal...
2005 Nissan Pathfinder First Drive
Nissan Pathfinder -- 2005 First Drive: Almost 20 years have disappeared since the first Nissan Pathfinder rolled onto the streets of America, days in which the world of cars and trucks has mirrored the frenetic changes that have coursed through America.
RE5R05A Nissan Titan, 350Z and Infiniti G35 High Performance Transmissions have been added to the IPT Performance Transmissions Product Line.
Calling it a "milestone day for Nissan Titan, 350Z and Infiniti G35 owners", IPT Performance Transmissions introduced the first line of performance transmission products and high stall torque converters designed specifically for RE5R05A Jatco automatic gearboxes.
Mazda's Miata Starts Off Empire
Car enthusiasts are always on the lookout for an affordable sports car. Over the years, many companies have tried to fill that niche, with varying success.
2008 Lexus LX 570 Preview
Lexus LX 570 -- 2008 Preview: It's not easy being wealthy. People are always buggin' for cash, and there are so many choices to be made, like what type of leather to order inside your car, where to buy that summer home or what kind of caviar to serve.
2007 Acura MDX First Drive
Acura MDX - 2007 First Drive: Stylish Moms and Driver Dads are unlikely to ever find themselves barrel-assing the 2007 Acura MDX down the highway at 90 mph in an intense thunderstorm, but can rest assured that this new luxury SUV is up to that task, and more, based on our first-hand experience.
Affordable Performance Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T
In 1993 the all new Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T replaced the successful R32 GTS- T. Little brother to the all conquering GTR the GTS25-T is more affordable and still a thrilling ride. It features a more modern new shape with smooth lines rather than the sharp edges of the previous model. The new looks were debatable some liked the newer styling of the R33 and some preferred the harder edges of the R32.
Acura Body Kits
I hope that the following article will help you to better understand this topic.Cars are beautiful objects that can take us places or we can make them look exotic. The Acura is one car where a body transition can make an interesting difference. The assorted Acura body kits which are available will provide you with a host of options to try out. You can see assorted types of these body kits at prices which are relative to the kit. You will also find a host of places where you can buy these car body kits.There is one factor you should take into account before you charge headlong into purchasing Acura body kits. This factor is the make and model of your car. While there are general Acura body parts, certain parts will need to have a custom look...