Much of what we do in our lives has to
do with compromise. That's just a simple fact of life. Cars are no
different. We've just had a few days road testing what has to be about the
sexiest SUV going around, Mazda's CX-7. Styling, beauty ... call it
what you like ... is always a matter of individual taste. But, if
there's one thing many Aussies agree on it's the CX-7.
Since being launched in 2006 it has
consistently knocked up sales of 400 units a month in the hotly
contested medium SUV segment. There's no doubt many sales are wrapped
up on styling alone.
The CX-7 has inherited genetic Mazda
good looks from the likes of the RX-8 and even the enduring MX-5
roadster. As such the CX-7 spices up the medium SUV segment and its
styling is a crossover between a sports car and a SUV. It's one of
those cars you look at and immediately think it's not the cheapest
car on the lot.
Late in 2009 Mazda responded to the
current financial situation and released a new entry-level CX-7 using
the engine out of the Mazda 6 hooked up to a five speed auto with a
neat optional manual shifter.
At $33,990, (Manufacturers List Price)
plus government charges and on-road costs, you get the great Mazda CX
7 styling, with some facelift enhancements, but it comes with some
compromises. Firstly it's a front wheel drive only and the engine
which brings such life to the Mazda 6 does struggle a bit in the
heavy-bodied CX 7. It's more Zoom than Zoom-Zoom in performance, but
certainly Zoom-Zoom in looks.
The good oil is that most people will
not care a hoot about either negative and the neighbours will reckon
you've won Gold Lotto. It may be entry level but the styling remains
predominantly the same and even though the CX-7 has been around for
three years, it is still cutting edge and now has four models from
which to choose.
They all have similar appearance and
include the Classic Sports ( Manufacturers List Price $38,990 ),
Luxury Sports (mlp $45, 990) and Diesel Sports at (mlp $43,640).
There's no compromise where it really matters: safety, with the range
having six airbags, ABS brakes, dynamic stability control, trip
computer and reversing camera. Want more? There's climate control,
MP3 compatible CD sound system, auxiliary jack for MP3 player, six
in-dash CD player, cruise control, power windows/mirrors, central
locking, full adjustable steering and to top it off 17 inch alloy
wheels. Entry level yes. Poverty pack no way.
The CX-7 is aimed primarily at young
families – or those planning a family – and those who's family
have fled the nest. The interior matches the exterior's good looks
and from the drivers perspective is a comfortable, practical vehicle.
One dislike – similar to Holden's Commodore – is the width of the
A-pillar which, even with the tiny triangular window, still blocks
some vision particularly around town. The reason for the wide pillar
is simply that the windscreen is sloped so far back there is support
added to the pillar. Once again compromise as the sloping screen is a
factor in the CX-7's good looks.
We like the twin-deck dash layout which
adds further individuality to the car and incorporates the display
for the reversing camera and trip computer. The front seats provide
comfort and good forward vision – apart from the A-Pillar – and
there is a nice open feeling in the cabin. Don't like the hand-brake
which is a pedal on the left hand side of the footwell. This is an
Americanism we could do without. We like the new-style space-saving
electric push-button handbrakes.
Talking of Americanisms the CX-7 is
primarily designed for that market and the vehicle's ride is soft and
in hard cornering this shows up as being ponderous. Tyre squeal
chimes in and there is quite some understeer, which you expect from a
front wheel drive. Drive like a nanna and all that becomes
irrelevent. And that's perhaps where this variant of the CX-7 is
really at. It's not a high-performance SUV, but a really pleasant
driver, much like the station-wagons of old. Just the sort of vehicle
that young families are looking for where performance is low on the
priority list and safety, practicality and comfort high.
The rear seats are also suited to long
distance driving, but don't offer quite as much legroom as we'd like
for adults. Having said that, it's roomy and only the basket baller
in the family might complain. The boot is not the biggest, but should
suffice for most family travel. CX-7 comes well appointed with handy
storage spaces as well as cup and bottle holders. This 2WD variant
brings the CX-7 in line with some competitors who also offer a 4WD
look, without the extra cost of the technology. These include FWD
Ford Territory, Holden Captiva, Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento.
We found economy out of the CX-7 a
little disappointing at around the 11.0 litres/100 km well above
Mazda's stated 9.4 litres/100km. But, we did like the fact it uses
91RON standard fuel unlike the Classic Sports and Luxury Sports that
require 95RON (premium unleaded) and have a combined fuel economy of
11.5 litres/100km.
MODEL
RANGE
CX-7 Classic 2.5 litre petrol five spd auto
$33,990
CX-7 Classic Sports 2.3 litre turbo petrol six spd auto $38,990
CX-7 Luxury Sports 2.3 litre turbo petrol six spd auto $45,990
CX-7 Diesel Sports 2.2 litre turbo diesel six spd manual $43,640
(Prices
are manufacturers list price and do not included government charges
or dealer on-road charges)
FEATURES
CX-7 Classic
ABS
Brakes: standard
Air
Conditioning: standard
Automatic
Transmission: standard
CD
Player: standard
Central
Locking: standard
Cruise
Control: standard
Dual
Front Airbags: standard
Front
Side Airbags: standard
Stability
Control: standard
Traction
Control: standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity:
2.488 litres
Configuration:
in line four cylinder
Head
Design: 16 valve DOHC S-VT
Compression
Ratio: 9.7:1
Bore/Stroke:
89.0 mm x 100 mm
Maximum
Power: 120 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum
Torque: 205 Nm @ 2000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven
Wheels: front
Manual
Transmission: N/A
Automatic
Transmission: Five speed
Final
Drive Ratio: 3.458
DIMENSIONS,
WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length:
4693 mm
Wheelbase:
2750 mm
Width:
1872 mm
Height:
1645 mm
Turning
Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb
Mass: 1589 kg
Fuel
Tank Capacity: 62 litres
Towing
Ability: 1000 kg (kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION
AND BRAKES:
Front
Suspension: MacPherson strut
Rear
Suspension: multi link
Front
Brakes: ventilated disc
Rear
Brakes: ventilated disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100
km/h Acceleration: N/A seconds
FUEL
CONSUMPTION:
Type:
Combined
Cycle (ADR 81/01): 9.4 L/100km
GREEN
VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse
Rating: 5.5 /10
Air
Pollution Rating: 6.5/10
STANDARD
WARRANTY:
3
years/ unlimited km
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