Mazda CX-7 2.2 Sport Tech Diesel 5dr Car Review - April 2012

One of the most difficult things to achieve when designing a sporty 4x4 like this is to get the handling right, and the ride is firm enough to provide good body control without passing too many of the bumps and potholes into the cabin. The steering is accurate and quick to respond, and there is plenty of grip when it comes to cornering at pace too. The higher driving position gives good forward visibility and rear visibility is good too, but the front windscreen pillars can get in the way at junctions. There is also plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and driving seat to make sure drivers can get comfortable.

With just the 2.2 litre diesel engine available in the CX-7 there are no performance choices to be made, and this performs relatively well. Acceleration from 0-62mph is achieved in a fairly leisurely 11.3 seconds, and the car has a top speed of 124mph. This is plenty of pace for most motorway journeys, and there is a little bit of wind and road noise to be heard, and the engine is audible too.

The dynamic looks of the CX-7 is what will attract many people to this 4x4, with a front end that has a large front bumper coupled with narrow headlights and grille. The rear windows have black privacy glass and become smaller in a way that is similar to that seen in the Land Rover Evoque, while the back end is tidy with large tail light clusters. Inside, the cabin is classy and stylish, but there are a lot of buttons on the wheel and the centre console.

The level of equipment included with the CX-7 is quite impressive, with cruise control and climate control both helping to make this a car that is generally a comfortable one for long journeys. Alloy wheels and leather seats are included as standard, and it also boasts satellite navigation for those who will often travel off the beaten path.

As with any sporty 4x4, the vehicle has to balance practicality with looks, and the spacious cabin certainly has ample headroom, although the legroom in the back isn’t great. The car also boasts a large boot to carry larger items. Mazda has a superb reliability record, and those who do go for the CX-7 will find that it is likely to be a very trusty companion on the road.

One disappointing aspect is that the CX-7 only achieved four stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests, which is below average for most cars these days. It does come with six airbags, and also has stability control and traction control to help the driver.

With a list price of £27,580, the CX-7 does come in a little cheaper than some of its 4x4 rivals such as the BMW X3 and the Land Rover Evoque, but with only one configuration available in the CX-7 range, it is a take it or leave it vehicle at the moment.

The running costs are also not particularly impressive, with the 2.2 diesel engine only able to deliver an average 37.7mpg. The high insurance group does mean that premiums won’t be too cheap, and the high emissions equate to quite costly tax too. Although 4x4’s are generally safe bets in terms of depreciation, the CX-7 doesn’t match up very well with its rivals here either. The car is supplied with roadside breakdown assistance for the first three years, and also has a three year unlimited mileage warranty.