Mazda CX-7 2006 Review - International

The Mazda satisfies the category criteria, being a tall, five-seat wagon with all-wheel drive, but it also defies category conventions. It's not shaped like a stack of boxes. It's not so sluggish that it leaves a slime trail. It doesn't squeal in terror when confronted with a corner. Yes, the Mazda is different from the rest.

Beneath the shapely body, with its distinctive, waisted daylight opening, the CX-7 utilises major components from a number of existing models. The engine, for example, is from the 6 MPS. From the same source comes the CX-7's clever, electronically controlled, on-demand all-wheel drive system. Up front, the strut-type suspension is closely related to the new MPV, developed from the earlier Mazda 6. And the rear suspension is a wide-track version of the compact multi-link design employed in the Mazda 3 and Mazda 5.

The CX-7's exterior design has the effect of making it appear smaller than it really is. For the record, wheelbase, width, and especially height, are all greater than the Mazda 6, but length is damned close to identical.

The CX-7 was designed for the US market, which is where we had our preview drive. However, the concept version MX Crossport -- first shown at last year's Detroit motor show and at this year's Melbourne motor show -- generated so much interest internationally that the CX-7 has become a hot ticket item in other markets, including Australia.

Mazda Australia says the turbocharged CX-7 goes on sale here in November, so expect a Sydney motor show launch. Although it's available in both front- and all-wheel drive versions in the US, Mazda says we'll get only the all-wheel-drive CX-7 here.

We can explain the CX part of the name -- it's part of Mazda's new global naming strategy, whereby crossover-type SUVs carry the CX designation. But we can't shed any light on the "7" part of the equation, since the CX-7 seats five. The longer-wheelbase CX-9 version to follow in the US -- and being assessed by Mazda Australia for here -- seats seven.

After our North American drive of the CX-7 (see On the Road, below) we can tell you that there's very little wrong with it, and an awful lot that's right. If you've appreciated the pragmatic appeal of a compact SUV, but never been able to bring yourself to take the backward step in style, performance and handling, Mazda has built the car to change your mind.

Standard equipment should include 18-inch wheels, six airbags and such active safety essentials as anti-lock brakes, traction control and ESP. Likely options are a sat-nav system, premium audio and rear-view camera.

The novel two-storey design of the instrument panel disguises its bulk beautifully. The centre console storage box is massive, easily big enough to accommodate a laptop computer. This is great, but it did force the adoption of a foot-operated parking brake. There simply wasn't enough room left for a proper, between-the-seats handbrake lever, apparently.

COMFORT
While the dynamic picture remains frustratingly incomplete until late this year, the drive program left no lingering doubts about the interior's space, comfort and quality.

With its taller body allowing higher seating, the CX-7 contains ample leg and headroom. Front and rear. And despite the slanting tailgate, the cargo compartment is both deep and long. Trim and upholstery materials and fit are high grade, too.

CX-7 also marks the first use by Mazda of a new six-speed automatic from Japanese transmission specialist, Aisin. This transmission will be the only one offered in the CX-7 when it reaches Australia around November this year.

Europe, which will receive the CX-7 later, will initially have only the same six-speed manual as the 6 MPS. It's possible, but not certain, that this option eventually could be made available here.

While the CX-7's version of Mazda's turbocharged 2.3-litre inline twin-cam four with in-cylinder direct fuel-injection is less powerful than the 6 MPS's similar engine, it still delivers around 180kW. This is a V6-like number.

Reasons for the reduction are a different turbocharger, changes to the engine management system associated with the CX-7's automatic transmission, and Mazda's decision that it should run on 95 octane petrol instead of the 98 octane recommended for the 6 MPS.

The wild cards in that pack also will launch during or soon after the fourth quarter of this year. Perhaps the dark horse will be Mitsubishi's new Outlander. The Outlander's already creating waves overseas, and we'll get the 2.4-litre four-cylinder version in October, followed by a 3.0-litre V6 with around 165kW next March. Importantly, the Outlander will be available with five or seven seats.

In terms of bang for your bucks, only Subaru's Outback 3.0R Premium offers a similar 180kW punch, albeit at $53,440. The Outback Premium gets a five-speed automatic. The turbocharged Forester XT Luxury comes close, with 169kW, four-speed auto and a $46,990 pricetag.

Chassis refinement seems impressive, too. Noise from the tyres on the CX-7's standard 18-inch alloy wheels isn't intrusive, and the suspension is unfailingly quiet. Wind roar is never annoying at legal speeds.

The drive program for the international launch of the CX-7, staged in and around Washington DC, wasn't particularly challenging. Despite the limited time and miles allowed, it was enough to gain a positive initial impression of the CX-7's dynamic ability.

On the none too smooth city streets of the US capital, its low-speed ride seemed rather firm. At high speed, leaving the city behind on interstate freeways, the Mazda was perfectly disciplined and reassuringly stable.

It was on the winding and narrow country roads of Virginia that the CX-7 felt best. It steers with precision, corners with grace. These aren't attributes that other compact SUVs can claim.

There were important questions left unanswered by the drive program. It was an all tarmac route, so the Mazda's gravel road handling remains an unknown. So, too, is the quality of its non-switchable electronic stability system. Both will be the subject of scrutiny when the CX-7 finally reaches Australia, but given Mazda's track record with other recent models you could safely bet on excellence.