May 14th, 2010, 4:30 am · 14 Comments · posted by Matt Degen
When Mazda’s CX-7 arrived about three years ago, it became one of several crossovers whose DNA heavily reflected a car rather than a traditional sport utility vehicle. That, of course, isn’t much of a surprise coming from Mazda, known for sporty cars like the MX-5 Miata and RX-8, which give credence to its “zoom-zoom” motto.
The CX-7 became a quick hit, but because it was only available with a turbo-charged engine, the vehicle came with a price higher than many of its peers, a tag that could easily reach over $30,000 with options like all-wheel-drive and a navigation system.
For 2010, though, Mazda says it has recognized a consumer need for a lower-priced version of the CX-7. To get the price down, the crossover is now being offered in two base forms with Mazda’s 2.5-liter naturally aspirated (non-turbo) four-cylinder engine that is also found in the Mazda6 and Mazda3.
With the introduction of these models, the CX-7 now has a wallet-friendly starting tag of $22,450, about $4,000 less than the beginning price of models with the turbocharged, 244-horsepower 2.3-liter four, which remains available in two other versions of the CX-7.
I recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2010 CX-7 i Sport with the newly available base engine, wandering all over Orange County to see if this lower-priced CX-7 could pull its proverbial and literal weight.
n addition to shaving thousands of dollars off the cost of the more powerful versions of the CX-7, those with the base engine – offering 161 horsepower, 161 lb.-ft of torque – save on fuel, too. My front-wheel-drive tester was rated at 20 city/28 highway, vs. 18/25 for a front-drive turbo version. In real-world driving, I got between 24 and 25 mpg drinking regular unleaded (premium is required for the turbo).
To my eye, the CX-7 is a svelte, good looking vehicle whose angles mimic a sports car. The vehicle has a minimum of 8.1 inches of ground clearance, meaning that it might be able to tackle some ruttier paths that would snag its competitors, but that adversely affected the speed at which you can take corners. Don’t try to mimic a Miata in this thing; it is, after all SUV-like tall and must be treated as such.
Drive-wise, it was difficult to find much not to like about this CX-7 except its relatively tame engine. The ride was compliant and comfortable, with good visibility. Inside, all controls were within easy reach. If, like me, your regular ride is a Mazda, you’ll feel right at home behind the wheel.
See complete story here http://auto.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/14/review-2010-mazda-cx-7-i-sport-does-a-lot-with-less/34139/
http://www.ocmazda.com
