Car Information

With the recently introduced Mazda CX-7, the company finally entered the red-hot midsize crossover SUV marketplace with its own product. This dramatic offering, like many other Mazda products, was designed to appeal to driving enthusiasts. Although it has all the requisite elements that have made crossovers so popular -- carlike handling, SUV drive height and massive storage capability -- the CX-7 offers a sportier edge. And in many ways, it resembles an extra-large hot hatch, which was Mazda's intention.

Current Mazda CX-7

The Mazda CX-7 is a five-passenger midsize crossover SUV. Although it has three trim levels -- Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- there is no mechanical or performance difference among the three. All feature a turbocharged 2.3-liter four that makes an impressive 244 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The sole transmission is a six-speed automatic, and one may choose either front- or all-wheel drive. A naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is rumored to arrive for 2010.

Those familiar with Mazda's product line might recognize the CX-7's design cues right away, some of which are inspired by the RX-8 and Miata. Mazda essentially began with a sports coupe design as its baseline and then inflated it into a more functional and rugged vehicle. The stylish interior also reflects the Mazda CX-7's sporty inspiration. The steering wheel and instrument cluster look like they're straight from the RX-8, and the gear selector is located high on the console, close to the steering wheel. The layout also allows for a capacious center storage compartment, which is big enough for a laptop or purse.

The CX-7's long wheelbase provides ample passenger and cargo space. With all seats in use, there are about 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Fold the rear seats down and that expands to 58.6 cubic feet, with the flat floor measuring a handy 70 inches long.

Standard equipment includes cruise control, 18-inch wheel, ABS brakes, traction control, stability control, full power accessories and a stereo with a CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The Touring and Grand Touring trims add luxury items such as leather seats and front seat heaters. Options grouped into a pair of packages include a sunroof, a Bose Audio Package with an in-dash six-CD changer, voice-controlled touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth, a rearview camera and satellite radio.

In road tests and comparison tests, our editors have commented that the Mazda CX-7 is a delight for the enthusiast driver. Although it doesn't have tremendous off-the-line acceleration -- due to its curb weight of close to 4,000 pounds -- the turbocharged engine still provides brisk performance overall. The sport-tuned chassis allows the CX-7 to remain stable under aggressive driving and cornering situations while still providing decent ride quality. Four ventilated disc brakes also give the CX-7 outstanding braking ability. The two most common criticisms are that the turbo engine requires expensive premium fuel and it returns relatively poor gas mileage.