2008 Mazda CX-7 Review
Zoomy crossover SUV competes with CR-V.
2008 CX-7 Review Summary & Specifications
The Mazda CX-7 is a competent crossover utility vehicle when measured against the competition. It's a bit smaller inside than some of the competition, but not everybody needs or wants room for seven passengers. What it does have is the sporty Mazda look and a good measure of the marque's sporty handling characteristics. The CX-7 has a remarkably energetic engine and an equally accommodating transmission, and it's available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. That easily makes it worth a look.Tom Lankard filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com after his test drive the CX-7 in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Mazda CX-7 Sport ($23,750); Touring ($25.500); Grand Touring ($26,300) |
| Engines (standard) | 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve turbocharged inline-4 |
| Engines (optional) | 244-hp 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve turbocharged and intercooled Inline-4 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 6-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 6-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | front airbags; front seat-mounted side airbags; front/rear seat side air curtains with rollover protection; tire pressure monitors; crushable brake pedal assembly; stability control system with traction control; antilock brakes with EBD |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | rearview video camera |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Hiroshima, Japan |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-222-5500 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mazdausa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 23750 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mazda CX-7 Touring ($25,500) |
| Standard Equipment | leather-trimmed seats; air conditioning; tilt steering wheel with cruise and redundant audio controls; eight-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar; heated front seats; cruise control; AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers and auto-volume control; power windows, door locks and heated, outside mirrors; Sirius satellite radio pre-wiring; 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks; carpeted front and rear floor mats |
| Destination Charge | 635 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | all-wheel drive ($1700); Moonroof/Bose Audio/6-CD Changer package ($1585) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 29420 |
| Layout | all-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 244 @ 5000 |
| Torque | 258 @ 2500 |
| Fuel Economy | 18/24 |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 |
| Length/Width/Height | 184/73.7/64.8 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 37.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.2/54.8/41.7 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.6/53/36.4 |
| Trunk Volume | 58.6 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | 2000 |
| Front Suspension | independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, multi-link, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
| Ground Clearance | 8.1 |
| Curb Weight | 3929 |
| Stock Tires | P235/60R18 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.2 |