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SUVs Mazda CX-7 Mazda CX-7 Test Drives - what did you think?
101 messages, Last post on Feb 10, 2007 at 10:06 AM
You are in the Mazda CX-7 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: la4mead (Aug 21, 2006 8:13 pm) The event is great, definitely go. You get to sample a bunch of cars back to back with no sales pressure, the perfect environment. And you can push the cars, just don't go crazy with tire squeel. The car that impressed me most was the RX8, wow did it just handle. You could take turns almost as fast as you wanted, it just stayed glued down. And for all the complaints about a lack of torque, the car is light and gets to the high revs so quickly that I had no complaints at all. After that I drove an MX-5 auto, the paddle shifters really work well. In auto mode it was a dog because it kept choosing the wrong gear, but the paddles worked perfectly. Later we drove a manual model and it was great. Didn't stay glued down as much as the RX8 but it was still a hoot. They're much quicker now, too, I have a '93 and it felt slow after driving the new one. -juice |
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The Mazda 5 is a great car for the money. Sounds as if the course was not quite right for the CX 7. I have an RX 8 currently and hope to get into the CX 7 next month. I loved the CX 7. For a vehicle it's size and weight I felt it handled superbly and was actually more powerful than my RX 8....mine is automatic w/197hp. Handling is superior in the 8 for sure but the CX 7 did impress me. I drove the 5 again after it and felt the 5 was a great vehicle...it does have a lot of cargo in it's small package. CX 7 has just enough cargo...not too little and not too much. No car is perfect and there may be issues being it's a first year model but I think mazda did a great job again!
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Replying to: cruzdreamer (Aug 22, 2006 1:37 pm) That just about nails it. I think my real issue with it is that it's just too wide and heavy for my tastes. I bet out on the open road, on a highway, or passing on two-lanes, it'll be more in its element. -juice |
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Replying to: wwxman (Aug 15, 2006 3:46 pm) |
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While getting my Mazda3 serviced at the dealer, I had the chance to test-drive a front-wheel drive CX-7. SUVs are not my schtick, so I wasn't expecting much. Drove about 25 minutes, on suburban secondary roads but mainly on winding highway (Route 66). I found getting under way a little awkward due to the size and turning radius of the car which seemed otherwise quite tractable at low-medium speeds. Brakes very strong, but touchy. No noticeable turbo-lag above 2000 rpm. Didn't notice any torque steer, either. Highway cruising at about 60-80 mph, the engine is very quiet. When accelerating, though, the engine really howls. Ride very firm, but compliant & steady. Steering is impressive: good on-center feel, communicative, sharp & accurate turn-in, neither too light nor too heavy at highway speeds. Changing lanes briskly, under acceleration, feels precise, stable and confident. Engine strong and linear between 2000 and 5000 rpms. Transmission very smooth and quick ... you barely notice it. I felt no need to try the manual option. Compared with the Mazda6 wagon I drove on the same route, the CX-7's engine felt much punchier, the transmission better calibrated. Incomparably better mid-range acceleration. The Mazda6 corners flatter, but the CX-7 felt more rigid, with better turn-in. Arguably it is the more enjoyable car to drive fast. (The CX-7 does not handle as well as my Mazda3 hatch --a manual shifter equipped with dedicated summer tires-- but the much greater acceleration makes it perhaps equally fun to drive: excitement of controlled agility and acceleration in a relatively heavy and tall vehicle.) On the debit side, rear visibility is lousy: this is a car that could use the latest rear-view radar/optical technology. The turning radius could be shorter. The cargo loading area is a bit high. Rear seats don't fold down completely flat. And of course a relatively thirsty engine that likes pricey fuel. Still, for the money, one heck of a car.
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Replying to: satchmo (Aug 29, 2006 1:35 pm) It's available if you wish; you just have to get the tech package. What vehicles are currently available with the rear camera standard?
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Replying to: astegman (Aug 30, 2006 4:07 am) Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of Audi's Side Assist (available on the new Q7 SUV) or maybe Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (on next year's S80). |
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Have now owned our CX-7 exactly 5 weeks and a day. So pleased to have purchased the Nav system with rear view camera. It is a terrific safety feature if you live in an area with young children. It is also a boon when parking. You can actually see how far away you are from the car behind you, judge distance from curb, etc. Parking by "ear" is now a thing of the past.  NMK
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Replying to: nmk (Oct 06, 2006 11:52 am)  -juice |
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Replying to: nmk (Oct 06, 2006 11:52 am) |
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