The 2010 Mazda CX-7 crossover was first introduced to the U.S. market in 2006 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show and first hit the road in February 2007. Although the name crossover is still loosely defined and the physical appearance can sometimes be confusing, Mazda is one of the only manufacturers that has been able to really pull of the term crossover. Small SUV’s like the Honda Pilot and Lexus RX-350 are not crossovers, they are small 2wd SUVs.
What makes the Mazda CX-7 a crossover vehicle is its utility and versatility while staying true to Mazda’s sporty heritage. Its ride height is perfectly matched for the family that wants the space of a minivan, but without the “minivan.” The CX-7 is easy to get in an out of and, more importantly, easy for parents to get their kids in and out of. The ride height isn’t too high, nor too low. The exterior looks of the CX-7 are what seal the deal for me on it being a crossover. It looks like it could be a cross between a car, minivan and SUV.
The performance under the hood is something Mazda did right with the CX-7. They give the customer great options. If you aren’t a “Zoom-Zoom” Mazda customer, the CX-7 I Sport FWD comes with a 2.5L DOHC 16-valve I4 engine that pushes 161 horsepower. If you have a slight need for speed, then opt for the direct injection turbocharged 2.3L engine that has an output of 244-hp. The Sport automatic transmission is also a great feature that gives the driver the option of enjoying some of Mazda’s “Zoom-Zoom.” When it comes to handling, the CX-7 lives up to Mazda's sporty legacy. The steering is nicely weighted, and the effort increases in comparison when cornering while remaining stable in turns. The CX-7 rides a bit firmer than most competitors, but that's a decent trade-off in crossover performance.
The interior was open and spacious, a sporty steering wheel reminiscent of the one found in the Mazda Miata, while the gauge cluster is similar to the Mazda RX-8. Overall, the CX-7’s build quality and ergonomics are both very good but the feature that attracted our attention the most was the navigation system. The screen was perfectly integrated in to the dashboard, but its location was not typical. Mazda engineers positioned the screen up to a second tier in the dashboard and angled it where driver doesn’t have to look down towards the center console to see the display.
The fuel economy of the CX-7 we tested was 20-mpg city and 28 freeway and the safety features were impressive. The CX-7 received 5-stars for both Frontal and Side impact crashes. In short, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 remains a very good choice for those who need the practicality of a five-passenger crossover and want the sporty looks and performance that are the brand's benchmarks.
The Mazda CX-7 I Sport we tested was $26,190 and the base price starts at $21,700.
For more information on the 2010 Mazda CX-7, visit NADAguides.com.