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By New Car Test Drive
Seats five, decent cargo space, zoomy.
Introduction
The Mazda CX-7 is sporty and svelte yet functional, roomy, and comfortable. Designed to compete with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4, the CX-7 is a sporty five-passenger vehicle that will haul nearly as much stuff as it does people. It features a powerful yet frugal turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Mazda CX-7 offers seating for five, decent cargo space, a comprehensive set of safety features and distinctive looks. We found it fun to drive, with responsive handling and good high-speed stability. Though pricier than the prime opposition, the CX-7 excels in ride and handling.
Mazda introduced the CX-7 for 2007 as a totally new crossover utility vehicle to compete against the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, among others. Crossovers, as they're called, have become the hottest segment in the auto industry. They combine the high seating position and cargo capacity of a truck-based sport utility vehicle with the agility, smoothness and fuel economy of a car. And they avoid the image of a minivan or station wagon.
For 2009, Mazda CX-7 gets an upgraded list of standard features. All models are now MP3-capable, and come with an auxiliary audio input jack. Base-level Sport models add leather wrappings for the steering wheel and shift knob. The premium Grand Touring adds a standard auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and turn signals are now integrated into the exterior mirror housings. Some option packages have been beefed up for 2009, some interior storage systems upgraded, and air conditioning improved.
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