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2009 Mazda CX-7 Safety Review

February 23, 2009

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

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

Not tested, but 2008 models received: "good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; "marginal," rear crash protection
IIHS

full-length side curtain airbags come standard on all trim levels
Edmunds

With high ratings for impact protection from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2009 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 2009 Mazda might not fare as well, though, as the IIHS gives the 2008 CX-7 a "marginal" rating for rear crash protection.

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. Standard safety features are key selling points for many automakers, including Mazda. 2009 CX-7s come with "all-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system and traction control, all standard," reports Cars.com.

In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, there are some issues with the 2009 Mazda CX-7's blind spots. Cars.com reports, "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 2009 Mazda CX-7's narrow side windows, commenting that the "reduction in glass means reduction in visibility." However, other reviewers disagree; in the CX-7 Mazda 2009, according to ConsumerGuide, "visibility is quite good all around." Regardless, if you opt for the Grand Touring model, standard turn signal indicators in the side mirrors (new for 2009) will help alert other drivers as to your intentions.

Conclusion

Outward visibility is something to note on the test drive; otherwise, the 2009 Mazda CX-7 is one of the safest crossovers.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, front impact protection; five stars, side impact protection; four stars, rollover protectionNHTSANot tested, but 2008 models received: "good," frontal offset impact; "good," side impact; "marginal," rear crash protectionIIHSfull-length side curtain airbags come standard on all trim levelsEdmunds With high ratings for impact protection from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2009 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 2009 Mazda might not fare as well, though, as the IIHS gives the 2008 CX-7 a "marginal" rating for rear crash protection. 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. Standard safety features are key selling points for many automakers, including Mazda. 2009 CX-7s come with "all-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system and traction control, all standard," reports Cars.com. In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, there are some issues with the 2009 Mazda CX-7's blind spots. Cars.com reports, "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 2009 Mazda CX-7's narrow side windows, commenting that the "reduction in glass means reduction in visibility." However, other reviewers disagree; in the CX-7 Mazda 2009, according to ConsumerGuide, "visibility is quite good all around." Regardless, if you opt for the Grand Touring model, standard turn signal indicators in the side mirrors (new for 2009) will help alert other drivers as to your intentions. ConclusionOutward visibility is something to note on the test drive; otherwise, the 2009 Mazda CX-7 is one of the safest crossovers. 2009 MAZDA CX-7 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Edmunds: "attention-getting design" Cars.com: "one of the best-looking crossovers" ConsumerGuide: "Testers agree the gauges are stylish but are divided on whether they're easy to read" Mazda 2009 CX-7s continue the familiar styling from their ...

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:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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