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2009 Mazda CX-7 Full Review
Date Published: 4/09/08
Also in the 2009 Mazda CX-7 Review:
5.
6.
Mazda CX-7 Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2009 Mazda CX-7
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Mazda CX-7 should see no major changes. This crossover SUV comes in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring models with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All have a 244-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Touring and Grand Touring have leather upholstery and heated front seats. Available for all is a navigation system with rearview camera. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Mazda CX-7.
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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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.2 |
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
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.
| 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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.2 |
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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.8 |
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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 6.4 |
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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
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)
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6.9 |
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)
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 6.1 |
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
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.
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8.6 |
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
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.
| 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
| AWD Sport | AWD Grand Touring w/navigation | Class Average |
| 60 | 59 | 65.2 |
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score | 57 | |
| Average Score | 65 | |
| High Score | 76 |
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2009 Mazda CX-7 Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 10/13/2007
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Mazda CX-7 Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Mazda CX-7 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 108.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 184.0 |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.7 |
| Overall Height, in. | 64.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3929 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 58.6 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.4 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| Turbocharged dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.3 /138 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 244 @ 5000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 258 @ 2500 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 6-speed automatic | 16/22 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Mazda CX-7 4-door wagon |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
Japan
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
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Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2009 Mazda CX-7 Review:
5.
6.
Mazda CX-7 Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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