Mazda is one of those car companies that hardly ever get things wrong. Throughout its long history on the market, Mazda has truly redefined what it means to produce great cars and do so in a way where all of its models have something for everyone. As an example, their sedans aren’t simply sedans. These cars from Mazda are often faster than they need to be, which opens them up to broader audiences. The company can do this without its cars ever feeling too fast or unsafe for those who don’t crave high speeds.

An area beyond sedans where Mazda excels are crossover SUVs, and one of its best in this category is arguably the CX-7. This sporty crossover SUV was on the market from 2007 until 2012, and even the oldest models are still on the road today. Though not Mazda’s first crossover, it seems the automaker took much influence from the CX-7 for its newer crossovers. There’s a great deal to love about the CX-7; it’s stylish, powerful, and some even say it was ahead of its time.

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The Mazda CX-7: We Love The Automatic Transmission

Mazda CX-7
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The all-new new Mazda CX-7 made its debut for the 2007 model year. The car was an excellent option for people who wanted the space and convenience of an SUV, but with the performance of at least some level of a sports car. The 2007 Mazda CX-7 is powered by a turbocharged 2.3 liter 4-cylinder engine. The horsepower is 244 at 5,000 rpm. As for torque, it has a maximum of 258 at 2,500. According to US News, the power is delivered to the front wheels via an automatic transmission with overdrive. This was a real crowd-pleaser, and it made things like commutes to work much more fun.

In terms of speed, the 2007 Mazda CX-7 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 7.6 seconds. However, one downside is the fuel economy. While not bad, it’s not the greatest, and premium fuel is suggested, although not required. This model gets an average of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 on the highway. The fuel tank holds a maximum of 18.27 gallons. It should be noted that the main reason for the premium gasoline suggestion is the use of the turbocharged engine under this car’s hood.

We Love The Mazda CX-7's Powertrain

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Every great car has standout models from its lineup. However, most car enthusiasts who have experience with the Mazda CX-7 agree that the best model years for the crossover SUV are 2009 and 2011. This is backed up by a ranking done by Four Wheel Trends. Their ranking comes from the average scores from U.S. News and World Reports in categories such as performance, reliability, safety, and interior quality. Both models have an overall average score of 8.6. It should be noted that the final model of the Mazda CX-7, released in 2012, was the lowest rated at 8.1; this was due mainly to a lower reliability score.

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 is powered by a 2.3-liter i-4 engine with a horsepower of 244 at 5,000 rpm. The torque is 258 lb-ft at 2,500rpm. It has a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission. As for the 2011 model, there are quite a few options to choose from, but the most popular is the iSport edition. It has a 2.5-liter inline-4 under its hood. As for power, it has a max of 161 at 6,000 rpm and a torque of 161 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm. One of the advantages of this model over the previous ones is the fuel economy. According to Fuel Economy, this one gets 27 miles to the gallon on the highway and 20 in the city.

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The Mazda CX-7: Extremely Reliable Vehicle

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There is a great deal to love about the Mazda CX-7. The company found ways to make a super fun SUV that continued to build upon itself over the years. The car still holds an excellent reputation, and it bewilders some why the automaker discontinued it. The biggest reasons for it are a combination of a decline in sales and the fact that the company simply wanted to move on. They already had the large CX-9, and the CX-5 was also new, so there was less need for a third crossover. Especially one that had underperformed in sales in its more recent years.

Though highly rated, the Mazda CX- 7 was not a perfect vehicle. There have been complaints of engine problems, but these are mostly relegated to the first model. Overall, the CX-7 is a beloved SUV that has withstood the test of time and helped solidify its automaker's reputation for performance and an outstanding level of reliability.