2009 Mazda CX-7 Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2009 Mazda CX-7 includes a full evaluation of the 2009 Mazda CX-7 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2009 Mazda CX-7, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2009 Mazda CX-7 help you decide if a 2009 Mazda CX-7 is right for you.

2009 Mazda CX-7 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Steering/handling	Ride

Cargo room	"Turbo lag" power delivery

	Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
5	5	5.5

Peppy once rolling. An AWD Grand Touring did 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds in our test. Turbo lag is noticeable away from a stop and during around-town passing maneuvers. Manually shifting the automatic transmission partly offsets the lazy throttle response.

Fuel Economy

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
5	5	4.1

In Consumer Guide testing, AWD models averaged a disappointing 14.3-14.5 mpg in mostly city driving and 18.0-21.4 mpg with more highway use. No opportunity to measure with front-wheel drive. CX-7 requires premium-grade gas.

Ride Quality

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
4	4	5.4

Firmer than some might prefer. Sharp bumps can pound through. There's minor but annoying body jiggle on rippled surfaces at highway speeds, and some testers say wavy surfaces generate too much up-and-down body motion.

Steering/Handling/Braking

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
6	6	4.8

Trades some ride comfort for handling. CX-7 is less car-like than advertised but is agile for an SUV of this size and weight, abetted by fine steering and a well-planted feel. Its turning radius is also impressively tight. Standard antiskid control is laudable, though it activated on one test CX-7 even in fairly low-effort cornering. Impressive brake response and control.

Quietness

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
5	5	5.5

More than acceptable, all told. The main problem is coarse-surface tire hum. Some testers cite engine whine during acceleration, but engine and wind noise are modest in routine cruising.

Controls

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
5	5	6.5

Testers agree the gauges are stylish but are divided on whether they're easy to read. Some testers also dislike red, night lighting. A dashtop display puts audio and climate readouts away from controls. Standard steering-wheel audio switches are a plus because the main array takes time to learn. Not so the large, simple knobs for climate functions. The navigation system is easy to program.

Details

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
5	5	5.4

Cabin decor matches CX-7 pricing, but it's let down by a few budget-grade plastics and unconvincing silver paint that passes for metal accents. One model tested suffered from a dashboard rattle when going over rippled pavement.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
6	6	7.1

Abundant legroom for all, but taller folks might want more head clearance. The seats are well-bolstered, but some of our testers feel they don't rise high enough for an optimal driving position. The steering wheel tilts, but, disappointingly, is not telescopic. Despite its curvy styling, visibility is quite good all around. High-ride stance makes step-in a bit steep.

Room/Comfort (rear)

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
5	5	6.4

Legroom is tight with the front seats set far back. The front passenger seat doesn't slide as far back as the driver's, leaving slightly more right-rear knee space. Good toe clearance, but the seat cushion contour forces some riders into a slight knees-up posture.

Cargo Room

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
8	8	8.7

Beats most like-sized SUVs for space behind the rear seat, but total space is small by class standards. Loading is hampered by a high deck. The cargo bay has two nice touches: a reversible carpeted/plastic rear floor panel, and easy-to-reach releases that make lowering the standard 60/40 rear seatbacks a quick operation, but they don't fold flat. Laptop-size center console bin and integral door cupholders are also nice, but CX-7 cabin needs more spaces for small items.

Value within Class

AWD Sport	AWD Grand Touring w/navigation	Class Average
6	5	6.1

CX-7 emphasizes sport over utility and ride comfort to stand out in a crowded market segment. Its turbo 4-cylinder engine is neither as fuel-efficient as one might expect nor as smoothly powerful as it ought to be. But there's appeal here for those who need something roomier than a midsize car and want fresh-looking SUV styling.

Total Score