2010 Mazda CX-7 test drive
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-HOW IT LOOKS:
Even with the small design changes it received for 2010, the Mazda CX-7 is one of the best looking SUVs around.
It still looks very sporty and modern.
For once, a design with a strong personality. 
And it is quite roomy. Maybe not as much as the CRV, which is a bit taller.
But really, it has a much room as most people will ever need.
-HOW IT IS INSIDE:
The interior has as much personality as the exterior.
A far cry from the CRV interior.
This makes you want to go somewhere as soon as you get inside.
The big windshield gives you an impression of space most compact SUVs don’t have.
But, following a dissapointing trend, most plastics are hard to the touch. At least, they do not feel or look cheap.
Doors feel solid when you close them. 
The seats are very comfortable, although the back bench isn’t as roomy as in the CRV.
And I really like the design pattern on Mazda’s cloth seats. It doesn’t look cheap like most “non leather” interiors these days.
The standard stereo includes stereo Bluetooth. Which allows to use your iPod without any wires .
It does have an MP3 jack for non iPod Touch models.
And it does sound really good. Even with “only” 4 speakers.
The $1750 Convenience package on my test car also included heated front seats, moonroof and a back up camera.
Which for once, you can have without ordering the navigation system. 
-HOW IT DRIVES:
.Ride
The ride is a little bit on the firm side, but it is actually always comfortable.
The car also feels very solid over any kind of roads, bumpy or not. And road noise is really minimal as well.
.Steering
The steering does feel a little bit artificial at first. Like a video game.
But after a while, you do get used to it and it feels more natural. It is very precise if a bit light.
But I guess a light steering is what most people want for their daily drives….
.Engine
My test car was the new “non turbo” 2.5 Liter model.
And just like in other cars that use the same engine (Mazda6 and Mazda3), it isn’t the smoothest or quietest 4 cylinder engine around.
It is not loud, but most of the competition is quieter.
When I first started it up in the morning, it actually reminded me of one of these modern and really quiet diesels.
Amazingly quiet, for a diesel…
But I have to say that, once you get going it is quieter.
And I did get used to it. It is not by any means rough or loud. You just hear it a little more than others.
The engine does have enough power all the time. So I really do not think the Turbo is worth the extra money. Unless you really plan on going very fast most of the time. Or carry 5 people and cargo on a long hill. All the time…
It is rated at 20 MPG City and 28 HWY.
During my week of driving around, I couldn’t top 18.5 in the city, but got 33 on the HWY.
My average was 24.5 with about 25% HWY driving.
Not bad at all .
.Transmission.
The 5 speed auto was smooth and pretty quick to react.
It is actually pretty amazing to see how smooth almost any new automatic is. No matter who makes it.
So there isn’t much to report here.
Except that, sure, another gear might have been even better.
-SO???
I would really recommend the revised CX-7 to anyone looking for a “compact” Crossover/SUV.
It looks great, has a wonderful interior, and is fun to drive.
Something (all of these things) I can’t say about the Honda CRV.
I also liked the Rogue interior, but really do not like the exterior design. And the CVT transmission in t is really bad.
To me, the CX-7 stands above most others in its class.
My iSport model with a couple of options and Convenience package retails for $ 25 900.
You can find them online for about $2000 off.
Which is a really good price.
Great review Vince. I have a CX7 and love it. No issues at all w/ it.
Just wondering on the fuel economy…does this generation have a onboard fuel economy display (mine doesn't).
Cheers
You'ld have to be both blind & retarded, to take a fugly CRV over this good-looking hauler!
I drove the non-turbo version about a month ago.
It is slow as a dog, Vince. In all situations you wish for more power, merging onto a highway the transmission has to kick down and rev the piss out of the engine just to get up to the flow of traffic. It has no power off of the line. A 4 speaker stereo on modern day vehicle this expensive is s shame.
There is a reason why the CX-7 has the LOWEST owner satisfaction rating out of all the SUVs in its category.
We are shopping for a new CUV for my wife and so far, the CR-V is still ahead of the pack. The closest competitior is the new Tucson or Santa Fe.
A couple years ago a driver at Lime Rock took me around the track in one of these things to show me the turns before I tried it myself in my own car. Holy man these things can handle!
"We are shopping for a new CUV for my wife and so far, the CR-V is still ahead of the pack. The closest competitior is the new Tucson or Santa Fe."
What about the Forester and Rogue?
The CRV I drove last year for a whole week never felt faster than the CX-7.
And it used more gas.
In my weekly drive of the Mazda, it never felt slow.
The Honda also had a 4 speaker stereo by the way.
But no Bluetooth.
Something the CRV also had was one of the worse looking interior in the class. With no proper console between the seats.
It usually comes down to a matter of taste.
For some personal reason, you hate the Mazda.
I just could never drive the CRV every day without taking some kind of anti depressant every morning.
But that's just me….
As for the Rogue, the CVT and tippy handling ruined the driving experience for me.
I haven't driven the Subaru so I won't comment on it.
( I usually keep the cars for a week before I comment on them)
Heated cloth seats? Really? The the Elantra Touring is the only other vehicle I've heard with such a feature. I like my leather better (although it does suck at times since my seats don't have heaters).
"Anonymous said…
"We are shopping for a new CUV for my wife and so far, the CR-V is still ahead of the pack. The closest competitior is the new Tucson or Santa Fe."
What about the Forester and Rogue?
February 2, 2010 9:51 AM"
Wife liked the Forester and I did too, but it is dog slow with the automatic. 170HP doesn't cut it with the Forester and I can't get a manual because of my wife. (To all men who are not married yet: Happy wife = happy life).
We both hated the Rogue and thought it felt cheap. The CVT is one of the worst transmissions of all time and I know someone who had the CVT on their Altima fail with only 70,000 miles on it. I am not taking that risk since we keep my vehicles for at least 5 years or 120K.
"Vince Burlapp said…
The CRV I drove last year for a whole week never felt faster than the CX-7.
And it used more gas.
In my weekly drive of the Mazda, it never felt slow.
The Honda also had a 4 speaker stereo by the way.
But no Bluetooth.
Something the CRV also had was one of the worse looking interior in the class. With no proper console between the seats.
It usually comes down to a matter of taste.
For some personal reason, you hate the Mazda.
I just could never drive the CRV every day without taking some kind of anti depressant every morning.
But that's just me….
As for the Rogue, the CVT and tippy handling ruined the driving experience for me.
I haven't driven the Subaru so I won't comment on it.
( I usually keep the cars for a week before I comment on them)
February 2, 2010 10:08 AM"
Vince, you are the ONLY person who has ever complained about the CR-Vs interior layout and interior materials. It just got done with two comparison tests with major publications where all the journalists lauded it. It even walked away with 1st place honors with one of them.
Also, only the base model CR-V LX has a four speaker stereo. All others have either a six or seven speaker stereo.
I agree with you about the Rogue. I find it odd that you never mentioned any issues with the interior on that thing, it is awful aside from the dash topper. Everything else felt second or third rate and don't get me started on the CVT.
Vince, thanks for stating what most of feel: "the CR-Vs interior layout and interior materials (are the cheapest & fugliest of anything on the market)". I have a real hard time paying over $10k for ANYTHING that's as ugly & cheap-feeling as a CRV. To my eyes the CX-7 is flat out gorgeous. Especially at the price.
" Fusion Sport said…
Heated cloth seats? Really? The the Elantra Touring is the only other vehicle I've heard with such a feature. I like my leather better (although it does suck at times since my seats don't have heaters).
February 2, 2010 10:39 AM"
I can name at least 10 different models that have heated cloth. It really isn't all that uncommon, esecially outside of the US.
" Anonymous said…
Vince, thanks for stating what most of feel: "the CR-Vs interior layout and interior materials (are the cheapest & fugliest of anything on the market)". I have a real hard time paying over $10k for ANYTHING that's as ugly & cheap-feeling as a CRV. To my eyes the CX-7 is flat out gorgeous. Especially at the price.
February 2, 2010 12:48 PM"
Best selling SUV in America for going on four years in a row now. The CR-V is a complete package.
"Best selling SUV in America for going on four years in a row now. The CR-V is a complete package."
Great. People buy it because other people buy it. It's been that way for the Camry, and look how $hitty they are. The CRV has always been an unrefined pug-ugly durable little trucklet. It's the default choice for people who aren't really into their car.
When did "most popular" became equal to "best"?
Camry has been the best selling car in the US for years.
Is it the best car available in the US?
Is Avatar the best film aver made?
Windows outsell any other operating system in the world by at least 10 to 1. It's hardly the best available.
The truth is, most people want the same thing others have.
They don't want something different.
They want what they know.
And claim it's the best..
I am surprised that you feel that the Honda CR-V's interior is inferior to the Mazda's Vince. I think Mazda is good at making interiors LOOK nice, but the materials are hollow and cheap. On the other hand, while Hondas are not typically beautiful, they are generally of very high quality. I had a rental 2010 Honda CR-V LX and i thought that it was very well finished inside. Not depressing at all.
"Anonymous said…
"Best selling SUV in America for going on four years in a row now. The CR-V is a complete package."
Great. People buy it because other people buy it. It's been that way for the Camry, and look how $hitty they are. The CRV has always been an unrefined pug-ugly durable little trucklet. It's the default choice for people who aren't really into their car.
February 2, 2010 3:36 PM"
Now I know you are just talking out of your ass.
1. It is by FAR the most reliable SUV in its class according to: 1. TrueDelta 2. JD Power 3. Consumer Reports.
So people are stupid because they want the most reliable vehicle with the best resale value? One of my neighbors just sold his CR-V that was 8 years old and it had barely even lost more than half of its value and it had 100,000 miles on it.
2. No one has ever said the CR-V was unrefined. You might want to go read some reviews. Honda engines are world renowned or their lack of NVH and smooth operation.
3. The Camry wasn't always a POS, their cost cutting became most apparent with their current, and last generation Camrys.
Most of the time guys, when something sells in mass quantities it is because someone likes it, not because people are stupid sheep. Vince, you can't compare sales to car sales.
Well here is problem #1.
You can't get AWD with the 2.5, you have to get the turbocharged 2.3 in order to get AWD.
This automatically crosses it off my list. A 2WD SUV/CUV is pointless. Why not just get a station wagon?
Hey Vince,
The CR-V and CX-7 aren't even direct competitors. Why are you comparing them?
Edge, CX-7, Highlander, etc are all in the same class as mid-size SUVs.
Lot of CRV lover's here, but I traded mine in on a competitive braind after suffering for 1-1/2 hears. I took quite a beating (don't believe the resale value claims). But the CUV I now have is a heck of a lot more reliable than the silly CRV. I guess I justr assumed that if so many people were (supposedly) buing such an ugly & cheal-lloking car, that it MUST be super reliable! I was wrong, of course; and it cost me thousands to make that mistake. Not saying I'm baycotting Hondas, but I no longer "assume" they're a good deal. From now on I'll be more open-minded; and do my "due diligence".
"Anonymous said…
Lot of CRV lover's here, but I traded mine in on a competitive braind after suffering for 1-1/2 hears. I took quite a beating (don't believe the resale value claims). But the CUV I now have is a heck of a lot more reliable than the silly CRV. I guess I justr assumed that if so many people were (supposedly) buing such an ugly & cheal-lloking car, that it MUST be super reliable! I was wrong, of course; and it cost me thousands to make that mistake. Not saying I'm baycotting Hondas, but I no longer "assume" they're a good deal. From now on I'll be more open-minded; and do my "due diligence".
February 4, 2010 6:01 AM"
You can't even spell or form a proper sentence. No wonder why you got taken advantage of.
I am sure this is just all made up BS. The CR-V and Honda alike has won multiple awards for resale value, and is the most reliable vehicle in its class. There are three sources that you can check factual data with.
I used to own 2 Honda Accords..in fact, my family has 5 Honda accords and 1 CR-V total. Love Honda reliability but when it came time for a new car/suv.. after much research I bought an 2009 cx-7.
Nothing wrong really with the CR-V, it's pretty much bulletproof but emotionally, it's bland like a kitchen appliance..does a job it was made out to do.
People buy cars for many reasons, many people for just a means as transportation..for them the CR-V works just fine.
But I love my cars. My CX-7 does a pretty good job of having the soul of a sports car..it looks "sexy" has muscle and I feel great every time I drive it..plus it cost me less than an ugly CR-V haha. I get compliments all the time on the interior and exterior – Win for me.
Vince, thank you for the review. I find it objective and well-balanced.