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2008 Mazda CX-7 Safety Review

July 5, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection; four stars, rollover protection
NHTSA

Good, frontal offset impact; Good, side impact; Marginal, rear crash protection
IIHS

enormous blind spots
Cars.com

With high ratings for impact protection from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2008 Mazda CX-7 is a very safe vehicle for front seat occupants. The NHTSA gives it five stars for crash protection and four for rollover protection. Rear seat occupants in this 2008 Mazda might not fare as well, though, as the IIHS gives it a “marginal” rating for rear crash protection.

Standard safety features are key selling points for many automakers, including Mazda. 2008 CX-7s come with "all-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system and traction control, all standard," reports Cars.com. On all trim levels of the 2008 Mazda CX-7, "front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags come standard," says Edmunds. Also standard are brake assist and a tire pressure monitor.

In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, there were some issues with the 2008 Mazda CX-7's blind spots that are important to note here in detail, in the interest of safety. Cars.com writes, "Time and time again, over 400 miles of driving, the blind spots forced double- and triple- checks of all the mirrors and a cautionary turn of the head over the shoulder...My wife remarked on how much worse the blind spots were than those in her 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee." The reviewer attributes the "enormous blind spots" to the 2008 Mazda CX-7's narrow side windows, writing that the "reduction in glass means reduction in visibility." However, other reviewers disagree; the CX-7 Mazda 2008, according to ConsumerGuide, has "good all around visibility."

Conclusion

In an impact, the 2008 Mazda CX-7 is one of the safest crossovers on the market, but its blind spots may put you in harm's way.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection; four stars, rollover protectionNHTSAGood, frontal offset impact; Good, side impact; Marginal, rear crash protectionIIHSenormous blind spotsCars.com With high ratings for impact protection from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2008 Mazda CX-7 is a very safe vehicle for front seat occupants. The NHTSA gives it five stars for crash protection and four for rollover protection. Rear seat occupants in this 2008 Mazda might not fare as well, though, as the IIHS gives it a “marginal” rating for rear crash protection. Standard safety features are key selling points for many automakers, including Mazda. 2008 CX-7s come with "all-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system and traction control, all standard," reports Cars.com. On all trim levels of the 2008 Mazda CX-7, "front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags come standard," says Edmunds. Also standard are brake assist and a tire pressure monitor. In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, there were some issues with the 2008 Mazda CX-7's blind spots that are important to note here in detail, in the interest of safety. Cars.com writes, "Time and time again, over 400 miles of driving, the blind spots forced double- and triple- checks of all the mirrors and a cautionary turn of the head over the shoulder...My wife remarked on how much worse the blind spots were than those in her 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee." The reviewer attributes the "enormous blind spots" to the 2008 Mazda CX-7's narrow side windows, writing that the "reduction in glass means reduction in visibility." However, other reviewers disagree; the CX-7 Mazda 2008, according to ConsumerGuide, has "good all around visibility." ConclusionIn an impact, the 2008 Mazda CX-7 is one of the safest crossovers on the market, but its blind spots may put you in harm's way. 2008 MAZDA CX-7 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Edmunds: "attention-grabbing styling" Cars.com: "a bold design statement all around" Car and Driver: "appeals to people who want something that looks sporty" For this Mazda , 2008 CX-7s carry over the same styling from their 2007 introduction: ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The CX-7's closest rival is probably the Acura RDX, a performance-oriented crossover that also packs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a suspension that's tuned for sporty handling. But the RDX's interior feels plusher yet sporty, there's more usable backseat space, and its powertrain feels and sounds more refined, with a bit less harshness and better responsiveness at part-throttle than the CX-7's engine. The RDX also has a more advanced all-wheel-drive system that is harder to fluster in brisk driving on curvy roads. The EX35 is a new competitor to the 2008 Mazda CX-7, with an excellent interior design and sharp handling, but its interior is also somewhat cramped. The BMW X3 offers a similar package, though its six-cylinder powertrains are more refined and sophisticated; however, the X3's interior trails the competition in appearance and materials. As a wild card, there's also the Subaru Tribeca, with quirky styling inside, sharp handling, and a surprisingly fun-to-drive feel on the road, thanks to the responsive flat-six engine. But what's the CX-7's biggest advantage? Its price is thousands lower than any of these rivals.

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See the Mazda CX-7 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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