The eagerly anticipated Mazda CX-7 was unveiled at the Chicago and LA Auto Shows earlier this year to largely positive reviews and reactions. Now, expect pulses to race as the Mazda CX-7 is set to go on sale this spring. Offering a potent combination of style, excitement and sophistication, the Mazda CX-7 packs a mean punch in its sleek and sculpted skin.
The crossover CX-7 is described as an SUV with the soul of a sports car. To us, it doesn’t really look like one of those big, brawny SUVs. The Mazda CX-7’s sports car styling casts a more nimble and dynamic image with its aerodynamically optimized figure, prominent front fenders, A-pillars wheel arches and a curved roof. The CX-7 windshield has a 66-degreee rake angle making it far sleeker than most SUVs and more akin to sports cars.
To match the CX-7’s sleek, sporty looks is a powerful and dynamic performance produced by a turbocharged and intercooled, direct injection 2.3 liter, four cylinder engine with an output of 244 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm. The crossover SUV also has a good fuel mileage of 23 mpg in combined driving. Also, the Mazda CX-7 engine delivers 258 lb-ft. of torque (349 Nm).
The CX-7 will come in either front-wheel drive or Mazda’s Active Torque All-Wheel Drive, where a computer controlled coupling is integrated into the rear differential to provide up to 50% of the engine torque that the rear wheels might require. Other features include Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and the standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system.
Inside, the Mazda’s sports car inspired interiors include such features as a three-dial instrument cluster, high mounted shifter, form fitting bucket seats and sporty dashboard panel featuring a double-roof design. The two-tone look is classy and sophisticated, with leather used to provide a high quality look and feel. Total cargo capacity is 58.6 cubic ft with a39 inch long rear compartment offering more stowage space.
The Mazda CX-7 will be available in three trim or equipment levels. Standard features include manual air conditioning, power windows, ABS, DSC, Traction Control System (TCS), cruise control, six airbags and others. The touring edition offers leather trim on seats, steering wheel and gear shift knob as well as power seats, heated front seats and retractable cargo cover. The Grand Touring offers leather trim with a black sport seat stripe, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, front fog lamps, body-color door mirrors, chrome door handles and automatic interior climate control.
The Mazda CX-7 will be available by spring of 2006 as a 2007 model with a base price of $24,310. The Touring and Grand Touring editions will retail at $25,500 and $28,000 respectively.