Test drive Mazda CX-7 2007-2009 SUV

Mazda CX-7: Beauty in Japanese

Mazda is certainly one of the strongest players in the Russian automobile market. Mazda3 and Mazda6 models, thanks to the excellent price/quality ratio, have become real bestsellers in our country, and the demand for these cars is still stably high. However, until recently, Mazda was practically not represented in the segment of compact crossovers, which in recent years grew extremely intensively (but what can I say - almost explosive). The Tribute crossover, created by Mazda, together with Ford on the chassis of model 626, was not sold in Russia too successfully, and after it disappeared from the dealers, the company had nothing to offer domestic customers. Therefore, it is not surprising that the new CX-7 crossover, which was developed from scratch, announced at the beginning of 2006 on Los Angeles Auto Show and adopted all family features of three-wing and six, immediately attracted the attention of numerous fans of the company.
Unfortunately, the novelty was originally offered only in the North American market, and its path to Europe was very long - a year and a half (according to Mazda, about a thousand of our compatriots at their own peril and risk did not resist and ordered a car in the United States, not Waiting for the start of official sales). But, as they say, it is better late than never! Therefore, when Mazda invited us to take part in the European premiere of the CX-7, which was supposed to take place in France, we, of course, happily accepted this proposal (moreover, the author of these lines by the will of the fate is just the owner of the Mazda crossover of the previous one Generation Tribute).
Design.
So, the long -awaited magnificent seven in front of us. Well, the team of designers working on the machine should put a fat five. The sports component of the abbreviation SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is implemented in the appearance of the CX-7 per hundred percent. The car looks aggressive and evil: this is also facilitated by the front racks, inclined under the large an angle, and a large lower air intake, and a narrow false radiator grille, coupled with predatory headlights, and wide, muscular wheel arches, framing wheels with 18-inch discs, placed in the corners of the body. In the back of the car, the sports spirit emphasizes the roof, the rear upper spoiler, two powerful pipes of the exhaust system, as well as lanterns with round transparent reflectors. These lanterns, however, evoke some associations with the first -generation Lexus RX, but we tend to write off it on ideas that are in the air.
Quite often, manufacturers try to give their crossovers the appearance of sort of small, but nevertheless brutal SUVs (a characteristic example of Land Rover Frelander 2), but Mazda decided to focus on the sports style - and, in our opinion, did not completely lose. The CX-7 looks like a sports car, ready to break from a place at any second, fast, powerful, impatient. The design of the novelty is really excellent - and until its sales begin to calculate tens of thousands, the envious glances of the neighbors on the way to the owner of this car are guaranteed.
Interior.
Well, we open the driver's door and climb inside. Hmmm ... The problem of all crossovers, the price of which is about 50 thousand dollars, is that inside they do not look at all for 50 thousand dollars! This, however, is not surprising in the United States, the cost of the basic version of the CX-7 is only $ 25 thousand. However, there is no AvtoVAZ plant in the States, and the state does not practice dubious protectionist policy. One way or another, the CX-7 interior is much more modest than the exterior (even despite the fact that we tested the top version of the car). The elements of the salon are unified with younger models, which, in turn, quote the sports interior of the legendary RX-8 relative: a low-landing armchairs and pronounced side support, a convenient three-spitting steering wheel, devices drowned in three separate wells and cheap rigid plastic plastic of the front console. The doors are decorated more exquisitely in their upper part, there is a leather insert with decorative aluminum elements, but the lower part is also made of rather unsightly plastic. The assembly, at least at first glance, is very high quality, does not creak and rattles, but in general the salon makes an impression, to put it mildly, not too respectable. It is rather a SPORA-KARA salon than a general purpose car aimed at the notorious audience of buyers who prefer an active lifestyle.
And a few more spoons of tar into a barrel of honey. The steering wheel is adjusted in height, but not by departure, which can become a problem for high drivers this must be borne in mind. In addition, even in the top version, there are no options such as a high -connection system that operates in the Bluetooth wireless interface today. The native Navigation system GPS, which is a regular option for the American version of the CX-7, will not be available in the Russian market. Parktronics are also not provided for in full -time equipment. The climate control is only a single-zone (however, a multi-zone climate control for cars with such a salon volume is rather marketing than a real need).
Nevertheless, if you close your eyes to the listed shortcomings (especially since some asceticism of the salon is a common place for compact crossovers in this price class), then from the inside the CX-7 is completely good. The ergonomics of the driver’s place does not cause questions everything is simple and clear (except that the control of the climate control, perhaps not very intuitively implemented). It is also worth noting excellent visibility and large mirrors that provide the driver with confidence in the performance of maneuvers. In fact, there is not even the need to configure them! I really liked the witty trunk transformation device, called Karakuri (to know what this means in Japanese). With the raised rear seats, the luggage compartment volume is 455 liters, but it is worth pulling the two levers located in its rear, as the rear row of seats instantly folds, increasing the useful volume to 1348 liters. Thus, for the transformation of the salon, there is no need to open passenger rear doors, as in other cars it occurs literally in one movement.
The salon is available in dark and bright performance, in our opinion, the light option looks somewhat more interesting, but this, of course, is a matter of taste.
Go!
However, the time has come to try the seven in action. Turn the ignition key, start the engine, touch and press the accelerator pedal. Wow! Here, the five were already earned by engineers who developed a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder MZR turbo engine with intercooler and direct fuel injection, which is also used in charged versions of Mazda3 and Mazda6 (MPS). Despite the seemingly modest volume, the engine confidently, quite in sporting drags more than one and a half-ton car forward. A small deficiency of traction is felt only on the bottoms, but this is probably due to the operation of the turbine, which needs some time to create the necessary air pressure at the inlet. We tested the car in various modes, and with confidence we can say that the power supply of its engine is more than sufficient for any situation, whether it is dense movement in the city or aggressive overtaking along the highway (the exception is only street racing, but it is strange to purchase it for this purpose crossover). CX-7, developing 100 km/h for 8 s, is probably the fastest compact SUV at a price of up to 50 thousand dollars that has ever visited our tests. This is a machine that really has a pronounced accelerated dynamics, unlike such classmates as, for example, Suzuki Grand Vitara or Honda CR-V (also recently passed our test drive).
Here you need to make a rather important remark. The fact is that we tested the European version of the CX-7, which comes with a 260-horsepower engine and is aggregated by a 6-speed manual gearbox. However, a slightly different car will be sold in our country - with an engine with a capacity of 238 hp. and a 6-speed box at a car. The engine was deformed for two reasons. Firstly, the automatic gearbox, originally designed for the American market, was designed for lower engine power. Secondly, the Russian version of the car was adapted for gasoline with an octane number 95 (European asks the 98th). And knowing the quality and availability of 98th gasoline in Russia, this is an entirely justified solution, which determined, however, a decrease in the power of the motor.
It is difficult to say how the loss of 22 horses and automatic transmission will affect dynamics, but in September, Mazda promised to conduct an official presentation of the Russian version (which, we hope, we will be invited), which will put everything in its place. In addition, by that time, the novelty will be available for a test drive in the dealers salons, and our especially impatient readers will be able to try it on their own.
By the way, the CX-7 is the first model that was specially sharpened for the Russian market: compared to the original American version, the changes were suspended (towards greater softness), body coloring technology (towards corrosion stability), mirrors (received additional Turn repeater), bumper, etc.
The fuel economy of the car (15.3 liters per 100 km in the city cycle, 9.3 liters in the suburban and 11.5 liters in mixed) is not record for this market segment, but seems quite acceptable, given the engine power. During our test drive, fuel consumption was about 12.5 l/100 km/h, however, of course, this is not a very indicative figure.
The car suspension (the front part of which was borrowed from the MPV minivan, and the rear of the Mazda5), in our opinion, works optimally: it is not too hard (as in the same Tribute, which is excessively configured), but not so soft To influence controllability or rocking. Small potholes swallow, on large ones it is noticeably shaking. In steep turns, of course, there is a certain fervor, but for a 205 mm road clearance, it is quite excusable. Do not forget that this is still a crossover, not a racing car. The steering wheel and brakes are quite sharp for comfortable control at any speed CX-7 controllability is rather characteristic of a light car than half an SUV.
The noise level can be described as average. The sound of the motor is heard in the cabin only at very high speeds (it is difficult to determine whether the engine works at altogether), however, despite the record -low aerodynamic resistance coefficient (0.34), the noise of the oncoming air flow is clearly audible in the cabin. At high speed. Apparently, given the rather high road clearance, this is inevitable. In addition, this sensation can be partially attributed to the illusion: when you do not hear the engine, you pay attention to other noises.
Safety.
It is important that all safety systems are already included in the basic configuration: 6 pillows, ABS, brake force distribution system (EBD), emergency braking system (EBA), emergency braking system (EBA), dynamic stabilization system and DSC) and DSC) Antiprocation system (TSC). In addition, the CX-7 earned 5 points out of 5 possible in tests on the lateral and frontal strikes conducted by the US National Administration on Road Safety (NHTSA).
Off-Road.
Our test drive was not too long. In total, we drove in a car about 200 km, and most of the path ran along ideal French roads. Therefore, unfortunately, we were not able to fully experience the off -road qualities of the new crossover. We undertook only one simple test: we moved on a section of a country road covered with a deep layer of gravel, promoted the engine to high speeds and threw the clutch, trying to tear the car into a skid. Surprisingly, an electronic system of connecting all -wheel drive (borrowed from Mazdaspeed6) worked instantly, throwing the torque to the rear axle to help the boxing front. Previously considered slow, modern all-wheel drive systems are not at all the same, and we dare to hope that the CX-7 will cope with the harsh conditions of the Russian winter quite worthy.
Like most SUVs, the CX-7 has neither a lowering transmission, nor locking differentials. In addition, this car is too tender for serious off -road tests. However, he certainly has better cross -country ability and handling in difficult road conditions than an ordinary passenger car.
Competitors.
According to Mazda, the main competitors of the CX-7 are cars such as the BMW X3 and Nissan Murano (which, however, are much more expensive). However, in our opinion, the company will actually have to fight with Mitsubishi Outlander XL the only crossover, almost identical both in price and engine power (a 3-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder atmospheric engine Mitsubishi develops a power of 220 hp. Against 238 hp in a 4-cylinder Mazda turbo engine with a volume of 2.3 l).
The new Outlander not so long ago also visited us on a test drive, and in the very near future we will introduce our readers to this, of course, a very interesting car. However, both models are so similar as in characteristics, even in the interior that it is very difficult for us to make a choice in favor of any one. Probably, the choice will be due to the personal tastes of customers associated with the design.
Prices.
The Mazda CX-7 car is offered in only two trim levels (Touring and Sport), so you will not have to rack your head for a long time. The cost of the Touring configuration is 1,141,000 rubles, Sport 1,239,000 rubles.
The differences between SPORT are as follows: leather upholstery of the salon, a driver's seats electric drive, rain sensor, a key access system, xenon light, foglights, chrome door handles, as well as a more advanced audio system (9 speakers and MP3-changer for 6 discs against 4 speakers and a conventional mp3 -player).
Ilya Naumov
 
 
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru