2010 Mazda CX-7 - Review

High Gear Media Staff March 18th, 2010 By High Gear Media Staff

High Gear Media Staff

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2010 Mazda CX-7 s Grand Touring

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By Tim Healey

A lot of folks are wondering what Mazda is smiling about these days-the grinning grille that adorns most of its models has been the subject of more than a few debates over automotive aesthetics. But regardless of whether you love or hate the look, it's part of the Mazda theme right now, along with the company's "zoom-zoom" advertising.

"Zoom-zoom" doesn't stop with the MX-5 Miata or the Mazdaspeed3-it extends even to the company's SUVs, including the small CX-7 crossover. For 2010, the CX-7 gets updated styling and a new 2.5-liter 161-horsepower four-cylinder engine that serves as the base powerplant, checking in below the 2.3-liter, 244-horsepower turbocharged four. The 2.5 comes on "i" SV and "i" Sport models.

What showed up at my door was an "i" Sport model with front-wheel drive, the aforementioned 2.5-liter four, and a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard features included an antiskid system, a wireless cell phone link, carpeted floor mats, cloth seats, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, 17-inch tires, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, A/C, power door locks and windows, power mirrors, traction control, ABS, a rear wiper, a roof spoiler, an auxiliary jack, two 12-volt outlets, and remote keyless entry. Base price: $22,340.

Options were limited to a $50 cargo net, $400 fog lights, a $125 cargo cover, satellite radio ($430), scuff plates ($145), and the $1,750 Convenience Package (heated front seats, power moonroof with sunshade, color driver's info center with rearview camera, power driver seat, and automatic climate control). That plus the $750 destination fee took the as-tested total to $25,990.

The whole idea behind the "zoom-zoom" campaign is that Mazda drivers will be grinning the way the car is, and in terms of performance, the CX-7 does not disappoint. It's a little quicker off the line that one would expect, although the lack of power combined with the vehicle's weight means that no real urgency is felt until after the CX-7 gets rolling a bit.