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2009 Mazda CX-7 Review

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

attention-getting design
Edmunds

one of the best-looking crossovers
Cars.com

Testers agree the gauges are stylish but are divided on whether they're easy to read
ConsumerGuide

Mazda 2009 CX-7s continue the familiar styling from their 2007 introduction: sporty without compromise.

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 is a mid-size, five-passenger CUV that, according to Edmunds, exhibits "sleek lines and [a] radically sloping front end." Car and Driver thinks the 2009 Mazda CX-7 is "the best interpretation of the term crossover [they've] seen yet," and it "appeals to people who want something that looks sporty." Sport trims receive 18-inch alloy wheels, according to various reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. New for 2009 Mazda CX-7s are side turn signals integrated into the exterior mirror housings on the Grand Touring Model and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob on Sport models. Edmunds says the 2009 Mazda "lends some sporty style to the small and midsize crossover SUV segments." They note a newly available Aero Package that includes a front wind splitter and a color-keyed rear roof spoiler.

As Edmunds notes, "the radical styling carries inside, where an edgy yet functional cabin design greets drivers." Pods that contain the speedometer, tachometer, and various gauges dominate the instrument panel. At night, they glow red, which some testers at ConsumerGuide dislike, explaining that they "are divided on whether they're easy to read." They do agree that the "standard steering-wheel audio switches are a plus because the main array takes time to learn." With its steep angle, this 2009 Mazda's windshield creates a large dashboard surface. Perhaps to break up the 2009 CX-7s expansive dash, "a dashtop display puts audio and climate readouts away from controls," concludes ConsumerGuide. Cars.com reports, "Mazda instead focuses on forming the plastics and interior design into a ‘sporty’ look rather than an elegant one."

There are some quibbles about the design of the interior plastics in the Mazda; 2009 finds "cabin decor matches CX-7 pricing, but it's let down by a few budget-grade plastics and unconvincing silver paint that passes for metal accents," says ConsumerGuide, while Edmunds notes that "the steering wheel and instrument cluster look like they're straight from the RX-8."

Conclusion

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 stands out in the crowded crossover category with its athletic design inside and out.


Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

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, is probably the closest rival to the 2009 Mazda CX-7. 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 significantly lower than any of these rivals.

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See the Mazda CX-7 in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007

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