Having had declining sales over the past few years, Mazda is making a comeback in the local market with a new lineup. First of which is the facelifted CX-7. And to be honest, if this is the way things are gonna be for Mazda this year, I think they shouldn't be too worried about those sales figures.
This latest update of the CX-7 has made it a lot more affordable and practical than before. Gone is the fuel guzzling four wheel drive system which has no place in our air-conditioned urban utopia. Replacing the 4WD with a FWD system has greatly improved the SUV's mileage.
Thankfully though, the beauty of this Touareg proportioned SUV remains. Beauty, I feel was always this car's trump card. There is no SUV out there that possesses the same graceful lines that this car has from every angle.
Exterior
Is it possible to have the toughness of an SUV while retaining the grace and beauty of a sedan car? Well, apparently it is. Mazda did it back in 2006 when it first launched the CX-7. Fast forward three years and the CX-7 still looks as stunning as ever.
This latest update of the CX-7 has made it a lot more affordable and practical than before. Gone is the fuel guzzling four wheel drive system which has no place in our air-conditioned urban utopia. Replacing the 4WD with a FWD system has greatly improved the SUV's mileage.
Thankfully though, the beauty of this Touareg proportioned SUV remains. Beauty, I feel was always this car's trump card. There is no SUV out there that possesses the same graceful lines that this car has from every angle.
Exterior
Is it possible to have the toughness of an SUV while retaining the grace and beauty of a sedan car? Well, apparently it is. Mazda did it back in 2006 when it first launched the CX-7. Fast forward three years and the CX-7 still looks as stunning as ever.
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The first thing that strikes me when I see the CX-7 is how much it resembles a swan. It embodies the same smooth graceful lines of a swan treading itself slowly across a pond. The test car being white only made that resemblance more profound. Assuming the designer took inspiration from the swan, I would like to compliment how he managed to capture the elegance perfectly from bumper to bumper. There isn't a line that seems out of place on this machine.
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On the facelifted CX-7, the front fascia has been given some minor tweaks. A more prominent Mazda insignia has been put on that is congruent with Mazda's other new models. A pair of tinted integrated xenon lamps round off both extremes of the fascia. Lower down the CX-7 gets a new gaping intake that's flanked by a pair of faux fog lights. This all comes together to give the CX-7 a soft and elegant impression.
Move around to the rear and the SUV retains much of the same lines as the previous CX-7. A large tailgate ensures that even the bulkiest of loads will make it through to the deep bootspace. The CX-7 rolls along on 17 inch wheels that combine to give great ride comfort and improve its fuel economy.
Interior
Step inside the CX-7 and you'll notice that the interior is as good as their recent models. Everything is solidly built with no rattles from any of the interior panels. Hop on the driving seat and you'll be cocooned in cow comfort with the seat being supportive in the right places. Making the long journeys expected in this SUV a pleasant one.
Move around to the rear and the SUV retains much of the same lines as the previous CX-7. A large tailgate ensures that even the bulkiest of loads will make it through to the deep bootspace. The CX-7 rolls along on 17 inch wheels that combine to give great ride comfort and improve its fuel economy.
Interior
Step inside the CX-7 and you'll notice that the interior is as good as their recent models. Everything is solidly built with no rattles from any of the interior panels. Hop on the driving seat and you'll be cocooned in cow comfort with the seat being supportive in the right places. Making the long journeys expected in this SUV a pleasant one.
The perfect driving position is obtained through the rake and reach steering wheel and the electrically adjustable seat. Unfortunately though, only the driver's side comes equipped with an electric seat. The wheel is chunky and provides good grip although the multitude of controls crammed onto it might leave drivers with large hands little space to rest their hands on long drives. An added comfort feature in the CX-7 is the foot operated parking brake. The activation and deactivation of the parking brake using my foot became organic within a day. Another feature that is a godsend on a large SUV such as this is the reverse camera. It helped greatly during the course of the test drive by getting the car and I out of some really tight situations.
On the centre console you find the respectable factory fitted sound system. The system comes equipped with large tactile buttons that are easy to reach from the driving seat. Like all car stereo system these days, the six-CD changer plays your MP3 CDs too. A USB (for the iPod) and AUX-in feature is available as well.
Just below the audio console you find the dials for adjusting interior climate comfort panel.
On the centre console you find the respectable factory fitted sound system. The system comes equipped with large tactile buttons that are easy to reach from the driving seat. Like all car stereo system these days, the six-CD changer plays your MP3 CDs too. A USB (for the iPod) and AUX-in feature is available as well.
Just below the audio console you find the dials for adjusting interior climate comfort panel.
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In the rear, the legroom is nothing short of excellent as is expected in a large SUV such as this. Boot space is enormous but instantly becomes gargantuan when the rear seats are knocked down using the quick release levers in the boot.
Driving impressions
Once on the move, you immediately notice how well damped the ride is. Nothing on the road ever manages to upset the CX-7 considering its ride height. However when moving off the engine does get a tad noisy while in first and second but settles down significantly once in third.
Driving impressions
Once on the move, you immediately notice how well damped the ride is. Nothing on the road ever manages to upset the CX-7 considering its ride height. However when moving off the engine does get a tad noisy while in first and second but settles down significantly once in third.
Being a 2.5-litre Naturally Aspirated unit, power delivery is stoic with little drama along its linear power delivery. But considering that economy has taken precedence in this model, Mazda has probably tuned the engine to deliver the power in a more conservative fashion.
Conclusion
Kudos to Mazda for revitalizing the CX-7 for the local market. Removing the 4WD and detuning the powerplant to improve its economy was a good move on their part. Making the SUV a lot more appealing to a wider audience. Those who've driven the previous 238bhp 2.3-litre CX-7 might find the 2.5-litre a tad sluggish with its 163 ponies. But the better fuel consumption in the latest CX-7 should make that power differential go down easier.
Conclusion
Kudos to Mazda for revitalizing the CX-7 for the local market. Removing the 4WD and detuning the powerplant to improve its economy was a good move on their part. Making the SUV a lot more appealing to a wider audience. Those who've driven the previous 238bhp 2.3-litre CX-7 might find the 2.5-litre a tad sluggish with its 163 ponies. But the better fuel consumption in the latest CX-7 should make that power differential go down easier.
