2011 Mazda CX-7 Review

The crossover segment is so thick with vehicles that it's all becoming a blur. Time for a drive in one that breaks through the clutter and clears the head...the Mazda CX-7.

Loyal TireKicker readers know we've driven...and raved about...the CX-7 before. It's always been a great way to move 5 people in comfort and economy for not a lot of money but with a substantial amount of fun for the lucky driver behind the wheel.

As with all Mazdas, the focus is on driving...and the CX-7 Sport model we just finished a week in (courtesy Chapman Mazda in Phoenix) bears that out.

For $22, 795, you get a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve four cylinder making 161 horsepower and a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode...all more than enough to move the CX-7 with some urgency. You also have front and rear stabilizer bars, 17-inch alloy wheels, power mirrors, rear privacy glass, ventilated 4-wheel disc brakes, dynamic stability control and traction control system.

Inside?  It's all good there, too, with crisp design, logical layout and comfortable seats. And the standard equipment list includes a tilt/telescoping steering column, power locks and windows, a six-way adjustable manual driver's seat, air conditioning, Bluetooth, an AM/FM/CD/mp3 audio system and remote keyless entry.

Again, that's all standard at $22,795. The one we drove had two factory options: Wheel locks for $50 and a convenience package (heated front seats, power moonroof with sunshade, a color multi-information display with rear camera, power driver seat and automatic climate control) for $1,750.

That takes the bottom line to $24,595 plus $795 delivery charge for a grand total of $25,390.

And that is an amazing bargain for any vehicle in its class...much less with the level of equipment and the sheer driving fun that Mazda bakes into every vehicle they make.

Mileage? The good news continues there, too...EPA estimate 20 city/28 highway.  This is a must-drive if you're in the market for a crossover or even a small to midsize sedan. The CX-7 is that good.

2011 Mazda CX-7 Review

As impressed as I am with the Mazda CX-9, the smaller Mazda CX-7 may be the better vehicle for the largest number of people.

Shorter and seating five rather than seven, the CX-7 is a strong alternative to small SUVs and more expensive crossovers.

Mazda's attention to detail and focus on fun are what seal the deal. Not to mention economic factors. Opt for a CX-7 and $22,340 buys you a 16-valve four with a five-speed automatic transmission, independent front suspension, dynamic stability control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, 17-inch alloy wheels, power locks, windows and mirrors, air conditioning, Bluetooth, a multi-function information display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and a better-than-average four-speaker AM/FM/CD/mp3 audio system.

I'll repeat. That's standard. For the base price of $22,340. Stop there, pay the $750 delivery fee and you've just barely crossed into $23,000.



Mazda sweetened the press tester with a cargo net, fog lights, a retractable cargo cover, Sirius Satellite Radio, scuff plates and a convenience package that included heated front seats, a moonroof, a rear-view camera, power driver's seat and an upgrade for the air conditioning to automatic climate control.

And the bottom line was still only $25,990.

This, my friends, is a deal.

But wait! There's more!

As in five-star frontal and side crash ratings, four for rollover....and an EPA estimated 20 city, 28 highway miles per gallon.

And because of that fun factor I mentioned earlier, it's like driving a sports sedan. The CX-7 breezes onto the TireKicker Top 20 Cars list. It's that good.

UPDATE: Just did a week in an uplevel turbo version of the CX-7...yeah, you're boosting the bottom line to $30K or better...but you're also boosting the horsepower to 244...which makes a major difference in the fun factor. And you're only giving up 2 mpg city and 3 highway (18/25).