In today’s challenging new-car environment, the 2008 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring crossover sport utility vehicle is a welcome breath of fresh air.
What’s not to like about a high-styled, roomy, performance SUV powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers V6 power with better fuel economy at a much lower price tag?
Geared toward driving enthusiasts, the CX-7 is powered by a 244-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine – and, like all Mazdas, has the soul of a sports car.
During my all-too-brief tour of duty behind the wheel of this rig, three passengers and myself styled to Chambers Bay Golf Course in Tacoma, site of the 2015 U.S. Open golf championship, and looked the part.
Everyone was all smiles, riding in sublime comfort with enough room for all four golf bags, gear and paraphernalia to be stowed without worry.
After a 10-mile walk around the course, the ride home was even nicer, with passengers enjoying amenities such as the climate-controlled interior, satellite radio and multi-positioned front seats.
A vacation day, which required the acquisition of 14 rolls of grass turf, and a second trip that involved 24 landscape stones (24 pounds each), proved uneventful. The CX-7 fared much better than this writer’s back.
CX-7’s chief designer mapped out the vehicle with ample space for five occupants. The rear seat not only carries three passengers in comfort, but it also splits and folds 60/40 to increase cargo capacity and versatility.
To venture far beyond normal utility expectations, CX-7 has a cargo floor that is significantly longer than competitive models at approximately 70 inches, with a flat load surface and a lip to prevent luggage from sliding forward.
The lockable center console can swallow a compact laptop computer, and space is provided for coins and sunglasses. Front door pockets are handy locations for beverage bottles. Two cup holders in the center console offer a stable place to carry large containers without interfering with the shifter.
The CX-7 powerplant is similar to the one used in the MazdaSpeed3. Engineered to deliver high performance at all speeds, along with low exhaust emissions and excellent fuel economy, Mazda’s MZR 2.3 DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) turbo-charged engine was more than up to the task. Its EPA ratings are 17/23 mpg with front-wheel drive and 16/22 mpg with all-wheel drive.
The six-speed Sport AT automatic transmission provides the full manual control preferred by assertive drivers. Shifts are crisp, in keeping with CX-7’s sports-car character. My tester featured Mazda’s active torque-split all-wheel drive powertrain.
Sensors monitor engine information, individual wheel speeds, the anti-lock brake system, and the standard dynamic stability control system to optimize torque distribution and deliver exceptional handling during all road conditions.
To the delight of my ever-loving children, the CX-7 offers a wealth of entertainment gear. An audio system with CD player is standard equipment. Sirius satellite radio was included as an option, as was a touch-screen DVD-based navigation system with voice command and a rear-view camera system. My tester also included a Bose premium sound system package that includes nine speakers, about 240 watts of amplification, a six-CD changer and surround-sound system with five-channel digital imaging.
As for safety, Mazda says no SUV currently on sale has received better ratings from the government than the CX-7.
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