Test drive Mazda CX-7 2007-2009 SUV

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Mazda SC-7. Especially for the Russian market
 
In 2007, Mazda sales compared to last year will grow by 40 50%, while the entire market will increase by 70%. Why does an ambitious Japanese company lose its share in the market? The answer is simple: in the Mazda lineup there are neither SUVs nor a compact B-class model. Namely, in these segments the highest dynamics of sales growth.
In the hope of correcting the situation, Mazda brought to Russia a stylish sports SUV SK-7. Its price is very tempting from $ 45,000 for an all-wheel drive car with a 239-horsepower engine and an automatic box. The manufacturer has adapted the SK-7 model specifically for our market. Lighting equipment and aerodynamic design are taken from the European version, a power unit with a 6-speed automatic from American, and the suspension is softer than European, but tougher than the American one. The smile of the radiator lattice SC-7 and narrow headlights resemble Mazda3, a small hump on the hood indicates a kinship with MPS special series models (Mazda Performans Series), and the front wings made to the outside with RX-8. Rounded convex lines look especially interesting on machines of bright colors, for example, red and blue.
Salon CC-7 is no less aggressive. The red backlight, the arrows of which in the zero position are directed vertically down. The sports three-spoke bagel is as if borrowed from the MX-5 Rodster, although in fact it is a little larger. The central console is greatly tilted and, together with the tunnel, creates a separate cockpit around the driver, which brings sports notes to the interior. In addition to the glove box and door pockets, a spacious box of the subsidiary is installed between the seats, which can be locked if desired. The plastic on the front panel only looks soft, in fact it is very hard, which reduces the weight of the sports-oriented machine. However, it was not without obvious simplifications. Even in the maximum configuration of Sport, only a driver's seat is equipped with electroregies, a single-zone climate control, which is unsolved for a large car. Outwardly, the trunk of a large CX-7 turned out to be surprisingly modest: only 455 liters. Under the high floor, an almost full -size reserve is hidden. It is already a little standard wheel and cannot be used constantly, but it takes up much space. It is just right to think about the jeep bracket for removal of the spare wheel on the back door, although such an accessory is unlikely to decorate the spectacular stern of Mazda. Even if you fold the rear seats, the KO-7 will still not fit on the role of a van for transporting large-sized cargoes: the luggage volume will be 774 liters, while competitors often surpasses 1.5 cubic meters. m.
Under the hood of SC-7, a 2.3-liter turbo engine is hidden, in fact the same engine that is used on charged models of the MPS series. Only he is adapted to work on a more affordable 95th gasoline instead of the 98th, and therefore gives out not 260, but 239 horses. At the same time, the peak of torque at 350 nm is reached already at 2500 rpm., Which is convenient when driving around the city. The Russian market SC-7 is supplied exclusively with a 6-speed automatic, which is quite logical: we are very rarely bought from a mechanical gearbox from a mechanical gearbox. Moreover, Mazda’s machine gun was magnificent. The gear shifts can only be found out by changes in engine speed and the sound of the motor. Even in manual mode, changing the transmissions is completely invisible, which cannot but please drivers who prefer comfort. And active drivers will like turbine. From this mark and up to the red tachometer zone, the engine gives the machine a very confident speaker.
To a hundred, the SUV accelerates in 8.3 seconds. The maximum speed of the SC-7 for security reasons is limited at the mark of 181 km/h, although the potential of the car is much higher. The speedometer arrow, when the limiter is triggered, looks vertically up and indicates 190 km/h. Outside the city, it happened to rest on an inattention limiter: CC-7 on the highway feels so confident and naturally. Although there is no extra safety, we must not forget that the weight of the SUV is almost two tons and it will be very difficult to stop it on wet or slippery asphalt. It is worth noting that the brakes at the CC-7 behave quite sporty the car stops quickly and predictably. As befits a large and solid car, the cabin is quiet enough, and the engine noise is heard exactly so much as to make it clear to the driver in what mode he is now working.
When a smooth autobahn is replaced by characteristic Russian roads with waves and joints, the speed can not be reduced. The suspension swallows asphalt defects perfectly, and passengers do not shake. But the steering wheel will have to be tightened, the shocks from the bumps are properly transmitted to it, although the exchange rate stability does not suffer from this: this is the price of acute steering, which makes the SC-7 similar to a sports car. In the city, managing CC-7 is even more interesting. The feeling is such that you are in a passenger car. The cranes of the body are small, and when turning the steering wheel, there is always a pleasant severity of reactive effort. And a powerful turbo engine allows many ambitious drivers to turn into catching up. For excellent traction, and even on a large car, you have to pay fuel consumption, which during the test never dropped below 20 liters per 100 km. However, the developers assure that with a quiet ride, the average gasoline consumption will be 11.5 liters.
If you need to slowly pass through a small mound or start with a whisper with a sandy slope, CC-7 will play it playfully, connecting the rear axle over the electronically controlled hydromoft occurs almost instantly, and the craving of the motor is good. But fast ride outside the roads is contraindicated. The suspension, which pleased while driving on asphalt, does not cope with bumps poorly. Sometimes the wheels lose contact with the road, and the car breaks away from the ground. Then follows a hard blow: the energy intensity is not designed for such experiments. In addition, off-road assistants, like forced blocking of differentials, are not provided in the design of the SK-7. Even the anti -industrial system, which often interferes with the unsteady sand, is turned off only to a speed of 30 km/h, and sometimes its independent inclusion really interferes, not allowing the wheels to freely slip. So for serious off-road sorties, it is better to use the Mazda BT-50 pickup, and leave the CC-7 for trips around the city and suburban voyage.
It is impossible not to admit that Mazda marketers clearly calculated the market niche CC-7. In the price segment of up to $ 50,000 there are only two powerful Mitsubishi Outlander XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV. However, the first is too simple, and his motor is weaker, and the Mastodont Trailblazer with a 300-horsepower engine is poorly sold due to its archaic structure with a spar frame, and its fuel consumption is very large. Mazda allows you to transform high power into sports dynamics, regardless of the quality of asphalt under the wheels. SC-7 grazes only on a serious off-road, for which a good owner will not release his car of goodwill. The main competitors of the MAZDA SC-7 are more expensive Nissan Murano or BMW X3 cars, but their price is on average $ 10,000 higher, which forces the seven small flaws for decorating the salon and a small trunk. By the way, to those who are interested in the design of the SC-7, but want a more spacious machine, Mazda will soon offer the SC-9 model with a 7-seater salon, which is already sold in the USA, and next year should appear in Russia.

Technical characteristics of Mazda CX-7
Body type: 5-seater station wagon
Engine: 2.3 liters with turbocharged
Power: 239 l. with.
Maximum speed: 181 km/h
Acceleration to 100 km/h 8.3 seconds.
Fuel consumption: 11.5 l/100 km
Price: Touring 1,141,000 rubles, Sport 1,239,000 rubles.
 
Igor Sirin
 

A source: Wheel (company)