Mazda CX-7
Looking for a family-friendly vehicle? Our
husband-and-wife team of car enthusiasts, Royce and Angela
Pedersen, check out the Mazda CX-7.
What he says
Mazda has come a long way over the last 10 years! The latest Dog
and Lemon guide puts this new breed of Mazda in the most favourable
light, which is really something if you understand how
unsympathetic the D&L guide reviews usually are. Over the last
few years, I have marvelled at the hot lines of the new Mazda 3, 6,
8, etc and now I observe the CX-7, "painted with a similar
brush".
"Drive it like a sports car, pack it like
an SUV" is the catch phrase Mazda use to describe the "CX-7", which
stands for "Crossover sports" - a crossover between the sporty RX-7
or RX-8 and the larger family wagons such as the CX-9, which sadly
hasn't made its way to NZ shores yet. With all-wheel drive, a turbo
charger and weighing in at 1700kg, the CX-7 has many traits of an
SUV, yet retains much of the drivability and compact features you
enjoy from a normal car.
The turbo greatly improves the driving
experience because when finally spooled up, it kicks in with 175kw
(350Nm torque), which really gets things moving. The handling is
fairly responsive and tight, yet soft and comfortable enough for
the whole family to enjoy a long journey in.
As I have suggested in previous reviews,
the wheel size and style is critical to a vehicle's handling and
looks. Personally, I would pass on the standard wheels for some
larger aftermarket ones - similar to what Hyundai offer for their
SUVs.
The thing that impressed me the most about
the CX-7 is the cockpit X-factor. It's hard to put my finger
on specifically what it is that gives this impression. It's as
though it has gone through a couple of extra rounds of R&D and
they really paid attention to detail. The seats are comfortable and
hug you, giving you that connected feeling with the vehicle.
Everything is in its sensible ergonomic location, the dashboard is
attractive and gives you all the information you want, and it
really feels like it's all been well made from quality material. I
would like to have seen more in the way of technical gadgetry, as
these days everything is controlled by a computer, so why not give
the driver this information and the ability to control it
(something that all of the Inspector Gadget dads out there will
identify with!). It you have a turbo, it's interesting to know how
much you are using it and perhaps even adjust it (and your petrol
usage).
The visibility wasn't too bad, although
there was limited visibility out of the rear windows as they are
fairly small and elevated. Visibility problems while reversing can
be mitigated by choosing the reversing camera option when
purchasing the car - something I think all cars should have direct
from the factory.
The CX-7 boasts a powerful Bose stereo
which packs 240 watts of speaker power - enough to drown out
off-key singing from the passenger seat, or the grumpy kids in the
back! Our kids love a good sing-along, and this sort of system
really brings the music to life! An added bonus is the ability to
plug in your auxiliary music device, such as an iPod.
One thing that surprised me when I took
the CX-7 for a spin was the turning radius. I went to turn around
in a local cul-de-sac, which I've done many times before in many
other cars, but this time found myself having to do a three-point
turn. The turning radius of the CX-7 is 11.4 metres, considerably
larger than many other cars. Not something that will stop you from
buying the car, but it makes you wonder - what were they
thinking?
The thing about this new breed of Mazda
(around 2004 to current) is that they are reliable and built well.
This is what gets them such highly regarded write-ups in not only
the respectable Dog & Lemon Guide, but also numerous other
publications and reviews. For this reason, the Mazda is a good buy.
You will not only enjoy the superior reliability and quality, but
also when it comes time to move it on, you'll lose less in
depreciation than many other brands.
All in all, for a multi-purpose family
vehicle priced in the low to mid $40,000s, you are getting value
for money in a stylish, versatile car.
What she says
For some time I had been looking forward to reviewing the Mazda
CX-7, and now I have to say I really enjoyed my time at the wheel.
While it's not an SUV (and doesn't claim to be one), you really get
value for money with this impressive family car.
As a mum of three, I know the importance
of security and safety. The people at Mazda are also obviously
aware of this because they have produced a fantastic package to go
along with the sale of the CX-7. For no additional cost, you get
Mazdacare. At the risk of sounding like a car salesperson, I am
really impressed with Mazdacare (which is included in the price you
pay for the car): It is "a comprehensive programme designed
to make owning your new Mazda as worry-free as possible". This
sounds pretty good to me. What you get:
- Three years or 100,000km (whichever occurs first) of
Genuine Mazda Scheduled Servicing.
- Three years unlimited kilometre Genuine Mazda Factory
Warranty cover
- Three years unlimited kilometre Mazda On Call Roadside
Assistance (24hrs, 365 days)
The sort of peace of mind that
something like Mazdacare provides does a great deal to influence my
purchasing decision.
I agree with my husband that the interior
of the car felt very tidy and well designed. I loved the way the
seats "hugged" me and made me feel comfortable and in control. It
was a winner with the kids too, with my three-year-old daughter Eva
asking, "Mummy, can we go for a ride in our new fancy car?" and my
son Jesse must have loved it too, as he left dribble and
fingerprints on every surface possible!
Knowing that the CX-7 isn't an SUV
(although it somewhat looks like one), you won't be surprised that
the cargo space available in the CX-7 is no larger than that of the
Mazda 6 station wagon. If you really want a full-sized SUV from
Mazda, you will need to look at the truly impressive CX-9.
Here are some comparison specs between the
Mazda 6 station wagon and the Mazda CX-7:
- Cargo Space: Mazda 6 station wagon = 519 litres, Mazda
CX-7 = 400 litres
- Wheel Base: Mazda 6 station wagon = 2725mm, Mazda CX-7 =
2750mm
- Kerb Weight: Mazda 6 station wagon = 1525kg, Mazda CX-7 =
1772kg
To summarise, the Mazda CX-7
is a great, affordable all-rounder and I would recommend it
to any family who wants a vehicle in the mid-sized range. It's
ideal for those who like the station wagon but want more of a
height and terrain advantage.
Royce and Angela Pedersen are the parents of three children:
Ella (4), Eva (3), and Jesse (1). Angela is OHbaby!'s Managing
Director and Publisher.
As seen in OHbaby! magazine
Issue 10: 2010
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