Mazda CX-7 Classic and Diesel Sport 2009 review

Mazda has broadened the appeal of its CX-7 range of SUVs with the addition of two new powerplants.  Neither of the engines will be unfamiliar to those pedalling around in other Mazda products - the 6 in particular - but the facelifted four-model CX-7 has a new price-point entry-level.

Pricing

The CX-7 Classic kicks the range off from $33,990, with the Classic Sports dropping by almost $3000 to $38,990. The new Diesel Sports enters the range at $43,640, while the flagship Luxury Sports has also dropped to start from $45,990 (almost $2000 down on its predecessor).

New variants

Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, teamed only with a five-speed auto and driving the front wheels, the new entry-level CX-7 Classic features standard 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's also 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 other new addition to the CX-7 range is the Diesel Sports, powered by the turbodiesel from the Mazda6 - albeit with an Australian passenger-car-first AdBlue NOX emissions control system.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is also doing without an automatic in the CX-7, using the same six- speed manual/all-wheel drive transmission to put its 127kW and 400Nm to ground.
The diesel claims a fuel economy figure of 7.6 litres per 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. The added features on the diesel include satnav, powered and heated front seats, heated front exterior mirrors, leather trim and the up-spec Bose nine-speaker sound system.

Carryover variants

The Classic Sports and Luxury Sports all-wheel drive models retain the 175kW/350Nm 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, hooked up to the six-speed automatic. The Classic Sports starts from $38,990 with a features list that adds new 18in alloy wheels, front fog lamps and a dual chrome exhaust to the Classic model's list. The Luxury Sports flagship is priced from $45,990 and has much of the equipment from the Diesel Sports, as well as 19in alloy wheels and tilt and slide glass sunroof.

Changes

You won't need to be a trainspotter to pick the new CX-7, with the family's new larger grille, new alloy wheels, a redesigned rear bumper and spoiler. Inside, the company is boasting improved-quality plastics, more sound deadening and better resistance to vibration.

The dashboard and instrumentation has followed the path of the Mazda3, with the dashboard-mounted multi-information display to control satnav (when fitted), the Bluetooth phone link, the sound system, the reversing camera and the trip computer. The Mazda boffins are also boasting the new steering wheel design has a ‘more premium feel’.

Driving

Mazda's SUV has sportscar aspirations and one of its new powerplants will help maintain that desire. The other engine will have a little more trouble doing that. The facelifted CX-7 brings with it a 2.5-litre four-cylinder, teamed only with a five-speed auto and driving the front wheels.

It's a new price-point for the brand but it's not going to surprise anyone with pace - it's a metropolitan machine that is tuned for sedate cruising, requiring a solid prod for a climb or overtaking. It is smooth and quiet on all but the most pockmarked of surfaces, with the bulk of the noise seeming to come through the wheel-arches.

Both new models - as expected with the outgoing model in mind - have good road manners, good body control, with steering that will not cause any concern for the driver. But the electro-hydraulic system on the diesel doesn't feel as meaty as the hydraulic set-up on the front-wheel drive model. The cabin has benefitted from the materials upgrade and the dash layout is improved, thankfully following the 3 and not the 6, with function buttons on the steering wheel working well with dash-mounted screen.

Forward vision is generally good, although the A-pillars are wide and swept back, which can interfere a little with vision when doing metropolitan work. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel has plenty of grunt and is probably the pick of the CX-7 bunch. The AWD diesel manual can hustle on the strong torque offering but is also quiet and smooth.

While the six-speed manual is a nice gearbox to use, the lack of an automatic option (as is the case in the 6 diesel) will hurt the sales of diesels.
The new CX-7 range will have broader appeal for those looking for an SUV image, or buyers wanting good dirt road manners as well as bitumen abilities.