The 2007 Mazda Cx-7: a Review

The 2007 CX-7 is Mazda's first mid-size, car-type SUV. It has four doors, can accommodate five passengers and comes in three models -- Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- which are either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The CX-7 shares the same engine as Mazda's sporty Speed 6 sedan, a 244 horsepower, four-cylinder engine. It also has a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift gate. Only the V-6–powered Mazda 6 shares the CX-7's six-speed automatic.

All models have the standard ABS and anti-skid control, a navigation system with rearview camera and front side and curtain side airbags. The Touring and Grand Touring models also boast of leather upholstery and heated front seats.

In terms of size, price and market position, the CX-7 is comparable to the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Toyota Highlander and Nissan Murano as well as the GMC Arcadia, Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Outlook, Suzuki XL-7 and others.

In terms of really close comparisons, the Mazda CX-7 has been referred to as a clone of the Ford Edge, and for good reason. While they are not really cloned versions of each other, both are based on other Mazda vehicles -- the Edge has adopted the architecture of Mazda 6 and the suspension layout of some Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 models. Like the CX-7, the Edge also uses the same Mazda Speed 6 engine.

Another great thing about the CX-7 is that it has lots of space, whether for packages or tall people. It has comfortable front-seat space, luggage space and rear-seat space. You will note that there's much more space in the front seats than the rear, and that's in keeping with Mazda's "advanced frontier" theme that tries to “combine dynamic movement, speedy shapes, and a bold presence,” according to a Mazda press release.

However, when it comes to exteriors design, the CX-7 has a distinctive look all its own, with pronounced fender lines, yawning apertures up front and contoured windows and intricately detailed taillights at the back.

The interiors are also beautifully detailed, with its titanium colored trims surrounding its armrests, center console and instruments as well as its soft-looking moldings, contoured leather surfaces and cloth seats with fine-grained weave. The driver's wheel has three spokes, with the horn right in the middle, reminiscent of the Mazda 5. The airbag is located in housing the circles the horn.