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Mazda CX-7 diesel manual: review

  • By Stuart Martin
  • The Advertiser
  • 04 January 2010
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    The Mazda CX-7 has been revamped and the highlight of the upgrade is the addition of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine to the specs sheet. Photo Gallery

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews the Mazda CX-7 diesel manual and says more people should consider it.

I don't often lament the presence of a clutch pedal and I'm not about to now. But it seems such a shame that so few people will get to experience this particular diesel, just because they won't swap their own cogs.

Drivetrain

The Mazda CX-7 has been revamped and the highlight of the upgrade is the addition of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine to the specs sheet.

The diesel packs a 400Nm wallop in this and the Mazda6, but the CX-7 gets the AdBlue emissions system that cuts nitrogen oxide (NOX) - something to assuage the guilt perhaps, but that and the single-digit fuel consumption that can regularly appear on the trip computer might help as well.

The diesel claims a fuel economy figure of 7.6 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 202g/km, with the AdBlue system cutting NOX emissions using a urea-based natural chemical reaction within the exhaust system.

Interior

It's a comfortable cabin that has all its features falling easily to hand, Mazda says they've used improved-quality plastics, more sound deadening and given it more to combat vibration and it feels like its all been done to good effect.

The dashboard and instrumentation has thankfully followed the path of the Mazda3, with the dashboard-mounted multi-information display to control sat-nav (when fitted), the Bluetooth phone link, the sound system, the reversing camera and the trip computer.

Fit-out and equipment

The standard features list includes stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags, the multi-information display, a reversing camera and a trip computer.

There also is climate control, a 6-disc in-dash MP3-compatible CD sound system, an auxiliary jack for an MP3 player, cruise control, a leather-wrapped gearshift and steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking, reach'n'rake adjustable steering and variable intermittent wipers and 17in alloys.

The added features on the diesel include sat-nav, powered and heated front seats, heated front exterior mirrors, leather trim and the up-spec Bose nine-speaker sound system.

Driving

Anyone looking to hit anything other than A-grade dirt roads should be looking elsewhere - with 170mm of clearance this is not an offroader, it's an SUV that is definitely a sealed-surface machine, a good one at that.  Its ride is not uncomfortable in day-to-day traffic, but this is where the lack of an auto hits home.

Given the close proximity in fuel pricing at the moment, the solid shove of the diesel powerplant is attractive given the turbo petrol's thirst, although the servicing will make up for some of that - let's hope Mazda has a good automatic on the way to complete the package.

The six-speed manual is a nice-enough transmission to use, although the clutch is a little snappy, making it less at home in the traffic and better when slinging it around on a country road.

That's where this machine is more at home, whisking its passengers quietly along a country road, gently sipping on the tank as its makes good use of its torque.  Pointing into corners has little of the body roll and vagueness normally associated with the SUV segment.

It still has its limits, it is a tall-bodied machine after all, but the enthusiasm for corners is well beyond the norm for a segment that still has plenty of trucks in it.

MAZDA CX-7 Diesel Sports

Price: from $43,640.
Engines: 2.2-litre in-line 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder intercooled turbodiesel.
Power: 127kW @ 3500rpm.
Torque: 400Nm @ 2000rpm.
Transmission: six-speed manual, all-wheel drive.
Brakes: Four-wheel ventilated discs, with anti-lock and stability control systems.
Suspension: MacPherson strut (front); multi-link (rear).
Fuel consumption/capacity: 7.6 litres/100km; tank 69 litresEmissions: 202-273g/km
Dimensions: Length 4693mm, width 1872mm, height 1645mm, track fr/rr 1627/1622mm, wheelbase 2750mm, boot 400 litres, weight 1928kg.
Wheels: 18in alloys.

Rivals

Holden Captiva 2.0 SX AWD, from $39,490.
Kia Sorento 2.2, from $39,990.
Subaru Outback 2.0D, from $40,490.
Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 TD, from $37,990.

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 9 comments

  • If it had an auto I’d buy one today. Bizarre why you turn a lovely vehicle into one that drives like a light truck. While the ad blue gunk may not cost much the diesel servicing and larger brakes would probably offset the gain in economy. Also, with the 18” wheels, replacement tyres would be up around the $2,000 mark instead of approx $1,200 for 17’s. Looks a great car, just wish it came in an auto!

    Ian Hutchinson of Melbourne Posted on 13 August 2010 11:39am

  • I would consider this if it had an auto. Hyundai have developed a nice 6-speed for their diesel SUV’s. What’s the story Mazda?

    Geoff Posted on 27 May 2010 6:22pm

  • Hi Len, Mazda does not to supply an auto diesel anywhere in the world. In the UK, the CX7 is now only available as a diesel, and in manual. The issue for Mazda is that they do not have an auto box capable of the torque and characteristics of their diesel engines. This will be fixed with the launch of their new ‘sky’ engines in approx 2012. We have just completed our 10k service and we have more than half of the ad blue left. A full tank of ad blue will give 20,000km. The cost to refill every 20,000km is $140.00. With the amount of money that we are saving in diesel $400 - $500 per month the cost of the ad blue pays for itself very quickly. This technology provides you with all of the benefits in driving a diesel without the nasty diesel ‘sooty’ characteritics. Mercedes is using this technology in Europe and have combined it with a hybrid ad blue diesel delivering approx 3 litres per 100km. This technology turns diesel engines into very liveable engines.

    Con Verdis of ROZELLE Posted on 30 April 2010 10:13pm

  • There is no auto for the CX-7 diesel because it’s Mazda Aust. policy not to supply autos for for diesel engines in Australia. If they did I would own a Mazda 6 diesel tomorrow. Also, what is the cost to have the Urea system recharged. I have heard it’s very expensive and occurs very regularly.

    Len of Newcastle Posted on 30 April 2010 3:37am

  • Hi Cecilia, my wife had the same view about our CX7 as she had not driven a manual car for more than 10 years.After more than 6 months of ownership she loves it more than I do. We went to Newcastle over the weekend, and the CX7 diesel is a beautiful car to drive. Excellent fuel consumption on such a drive, very comfortable, very quiet, great ride and handling. Sitting on 110kmh at 2000 rpm you are right on the peak enqine torque, climbing up and down the freeway on cruise control with no strain at all. We had the Ipod cranked up the Bose system is sensational and my wife even turned on her seat warmer. Then off course there is the styling, everyone that sees the CX7 is always impressed and very surprised that it is a Mazda - they all think that it is a Lexus. I have owned many cars and motor bikes over the years, and the CX7 is the best car I have ever owned. Btw, it seems that many other people agree given the sales success that this updated CX7 has enjoyed since it was launched.

    Con Verdis of ROZELLE Posted on 26 April 2010 9:20pm

  • I don’t understand why Mazda are not including auto for their cx7 diesel, we will definitely buy it instead of my X trail :(

    Cecilia Chandra of Victoria Posted on 24 April 2010 4:46pm

  • Hi Janne, clearly you do not. Perhaps you should ask a diesel mechanic to explain it to you.

    Con Verdis of Rozelle Posted on 01 April 2010 5:38pm

  • What do you mean torque on the freeway? Do you know what torque actually is?

    janne kruse of aus Posted on 30 March 2010 8:52pm

  • We have owned our CX7 diesel for over 3 months,my 1st ever diesel and we love it. Heaps of power, 400nm of torque is awesome on the freeway. We towed last weekend for the 1st time and it was effortless, no strain on the drivetrain. The fuel economy is excellent for such a large car, overall average on crappy Sydney traffic 6.5 - 7 liters per 100kms. On a trip crusing at 100 - 110kms it does drop down to 5 - 5.5 liters per 100 km. Love the handling, the ride, it rides quieter than most Mazdas (apart from when you are driving on coarse roads then there is coarse road noise) the nice solid feeling of the car, the ‘clunk’ when you close the doors, quality of the paint, the leather,the bose sound system, bluetooth, reveresing camera, gps,trip computer,interior plastics - apart from the glove box lid, very hard plastic that marks easlily. My dissappoinments? - no sunroof not even avaialable as an option, drives me crazy, and if an auto option was available we would of considered it. I am sure that not having an auto avaiable is costing Mazda many, many sales which is a great shame, this is a great car!!

    Con Verdis of ROZELLE Posted on 30 January 2010 8:25pm
Read all 9 comments

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