What they said when the Mazda CX-7 was new... (2007)
MAZDA has built its reputation on offering something different and its new CX-7 brings even more Zoom Zoom to the range.
The CX-7 is a crossover vehicle which offers the looks and practicality of an off-roader, combined with the space of a large estate and the heart of a sports saloon.
Famous for its excellent RX-8 and MX-5 sports cars, Mazda has used its knowledge to put real zing into the SUV market with this newcomer.
Powered by the same lusty 2.3-litre turbocharged unit and permanent four-wheel-drive system used in the firm's hot 6 MPS sports saloon, the CX-7 has been designed very much for the tarmac rather than for mud-plugging.
Sleeker and more handsome than normal SUVs the styling gives the vehicle an upmarket appearance.
On the road the CX-7 is much more of a driver's car than any normal SUV and it offers good performance as well as refinement.
It will reach 62mph in just eight seconds and go on to a top speed of 130mph while offering fuel economy of about 28mpg.
The handling is excellent and this is where the CX-7 really shines. The ride is firm but not harsh and this car can be enjoyed in corners in a way that other SUVs can't.
The steering is well weighted and offers plenty of feedback and the newcomer goes exactly where you point it without fuss - very stable and with impressive braking.
Sometimes it's only the high driving position, which provides an excellent view of the road, that reminds you this is an SUV.
The neatly positioned gear lever offers precise short changes to the six-speed manual transmission and the automatic four-wheel-drive system shifts power between the front and rear axles as required. As a result there's never a lack of grip.
And because it wasn't designed as a mud-plugger the newcomer has not had to be compromised in any way and its dynamics are really excellent.
The interior is stylish and well built and a comfortable driving position is easily found, though the steering wheel offers no reach adjustment.
The CX-7 is only offered in one specification and comes generously equipped. Leather seats, climate control and xenon headlamps are all included and the only factory option is metallic paint.
There's plenty of room for five adults to travel in comfort and the boot offers a handy 455 litres of luggage space and much more when the rear seats are folded flat by a one-touch mechanism.
The interior is a comfortable and quiet place to be with little road or engine noise entering the cabin.
I drove the CX-7 briskly over a selection of the finest roads in the Scottish Highlands and found it to be a great companion.
At £23,960 it is not cheap and won't be cheap to run either as it is less than frugal and sits in the highest tax bracket for company cars with CO2 emissions of 243g/km.
However, the CX-7 is a fine car that continues Mazda's tradition of offering something different and its combination of good looks and fine performance will mean that the company should have no problem in shifting its modest sales target of 2,000 in a full year.
It went on sale in the USA last year and it has been a big hit there and I believe it will also be a success in Europe.
Words: John Murdoch
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