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2010 Mazda CX-7 Review

September 8, 2009

STYLING | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Exterior and interior restyling brings it in line with Mazda’s new design direction
Cars.com

Some testers dislike red, night lighting
ConsumerGuide

Most noticeable change include larger side air-intakes
LeftLaneNews

The Mazda CX-7 lineup returns for 2010 with a moderate makeover that helps unify the CX-7 with the rest of Mazda’s restyled vehicles.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 is a mid-size, five-passenger crossover that Cars.com says “was designed to deliver the utility of a small SUV and the driving experience of a passenger car.” The curvaceous CX-7 undergoes a mid-cycle refresh, and it now features a number of styling changes that Left Lane News feels “bring the small SUV more in line with the rest of Mazda’s freshened lineup.” Autoblog also notes that “Mazda has refined the CX-7 inside-and-out, including a redesigned front end with a larger five-point grille and different front and rear fascias.” Overall, Left Lane News reviewers indicate that the “most noticeable changes include larger side air-intakes, giving the CX-7 a much more aggressive look” that includes a hint of Mazda’s “familiar ‘smiling’ front grille.”

The interior of the 2010 Mazda CX-7 also receives some changes for this year, but it retains the original CX-7’s appealing mix of curves and practicality. ConsumerGuide raves that “the navigation system is easy to program” and points out that the Mazda CX-7’s “gauges are stylish,” although some reviewers “are divided on whether they’re easy to read.” Cars.com thinks drivers shouldn’t have any trouble reading the displays, since the Mazda CX-7 features “a new, larger information display at the base of the windshield.” For those familiar with the current Mazda lineup, Left Lane News says that the current LCD on the Mazda CX-7 is “similar to the one found in the new Mazda3.” Drivers should now be able to keep more of their attention on the road, as ConsumerGuide notes the availability of “standard steering-wheel audio switches” that are a “plus because the main array takes time to learn.”

Conclusion

A few new details don’t make the 2010 Mazda CX-7 look much different than before from a distance, but it works better up close and inside.

STYLING | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Exterior and interior restyling brings it in line with Mazda’s new design directionCars.comSome testers dislike red, night lightingConsumerGuideMost noticeable change include larger side air-intakesLeftLaneNews The Mazda CX-7 lineup returns for 2010 with a moderate makeover that helps unify the CX-7 with the rest of Mazda’s restyled vehicles. The 2010 Mazda CX-7 is a mid-size, five-passenger crossover that Cars.com says “was designed to deliver the utility of a small SUV and the driving experience of a passenger car.” The curvaceous CX-7 undergoes a mid-cycle refresh, and it now features a number of styling changes that Left Lane News feels “bring the small SUV more in line with the rest of Mazda’s freshened lineup.” Autoblog also notes that “Mazda has refined the CX-7 inside-and-out, including a redesigned front end with a larger five-point grille and different front and rear fascias.” Overall, Left Lane News reviewers indicate that the “most noticeable changes include larger side air-intakes, giving the CX-7 a much more aggressive look” that includes a hint of Mazda’s “familiar ‘smiling’ front grille.” The interior of the 2010 Mazda CX-7 also receives some changes for this year, but it retains the original CX-7’s appealing mix of curves and practicality. ConsumerGuide raves that “the navigation system is easy to program” and points out that the Mazda CX-7’s “gauges are stylish,” although some reviewers “are divided on whether they’re easy to read.” Cars.com thinks drivers shouldn’t have any trouble reading the displays, since the Mazda CX-7 features “a new, larger information display at the base of the windshield.” For those familiar with the current Mazda lineup, Left Lane News says that the current LCD on the Mazda CX-7 is “similar to the one found in the new Mazda3.” Drivers should now be able to keep more of their attention on the road, as ConsumerGuide notes the availability of “standard steering-wheel audio switches” that are a “plus because the main array takes time to learn.” ConclusionA few new details don’t make the 2010 Mazda CX-7 look much different than before from a distance, but it works better up close and inside. 2010 MAZDA CX-7 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Cars.com: "Exterior and interior restyling brings it in line with Mazda’s new design direction” ConsumerGuide: “Some testers dislike red, night lighting” LeftLaneNews: “Most noticeable change include larger side air-intakes” The Mazda CX-7 ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 now effectively has two sets of rivals. Competing with the bargain-priced 2.5-liter "i" models are the Nissan Rogue, the Honda CR-V, and new four-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox, among others, while the turbo CX-7 takes on the Subaru Tribeca, Volkswagen Tiguan, and perhaps even Acura RDX. The Rogue has less of a performance emphasis; it exhibits a more laid-back personality, and the driving experience is a little more isolated (and numbed). It can allow quite a bit of road noise inside, but the backseat is more spacious. The CR-V is one of the best vehicles in the compact crossover class, with a very roomy and refined interior, but it’s not an exciting driving experience. The new base four-cylinder Chevrolet Equinox has been redesigned with much-improved noise isolation, along with attractive interior materials, and it deserves another look. Competing with the turbo models, the Acura RDX is a performance-oriented crossover that also packs a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a suspension that's tuned for sporty handling, and it’s probably the closest rival to the 2010 Mazda CX-7. There’s more usable backseat space in the RDX, and its powertrain feels and sounds more refined. 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 2010 Mazda CX-7, with an excellent interior design and sharp handling, but its interior is also somewhat cramped. The Subaru Tribeca has quirky styling inside, sharp handling, and a surprisingly fun-to-drive feel on the road, thanks to the responsive flat-six engine, while the Tiguan is bound to attract some shoppers due to its responsive turbo four and attractive interior.

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See the Mazda CX-7 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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