Putting the Sport back in SUV: Mazda CX-7

Sport-utility vehicles are usually true to only half of their name. Sure, they’re big, meaning they can carry all sorts of stuff and perhaps even seven adults; and they’re tall, meaning they can wade through floods or trawl through gravel. But the “sport” part of the equation is hardly ever true. Even if they are adequately powered, sometimes by monstrous engines, they drive like the trucks or heavily-modified wagons that they are.

Knowing this to be the case, we approached with a sense of trepidation Mazda’s newest SUV offering, the CX-7. Based on our experience with its larger sibling, the CX-9, we knew that Mazda could make a large vehicle drive sweetly. For this, a compact SUV, we were expecting even better handling, as well as a more enthusiastic driving experience.

The first part was promising, as Mazda’s curvaceous styling has found its way to an SUV. Thus the CX-7 has the cycle fenders of the RX-8, as well as windows that taper enticingly as they sweep rearward. Somehow, the sporty styling fits well on the large body, making the car look trim and athletic. Then there’s that Joker’s grin that is Mazda’s default face. This means that we will either be grinning like crazy after driving it—or, that the joke will be on us.

Things get even better inside, with an inviting black color scheme, punctuated by bits of piano black lacquer—the brand’s trademark. Driving position is suitably tall, and the steering wheel is adjustable for reach and rake, making it easy to get comfortable. What strikes us also is the car’s width, particularly when facing the large expanse of dashboard. The windshield is steeply raked, even needing small porthole windows to help forward visibility. The control layout uses a lot of buttons, and they’re all cleanly laid out and easy to use.

Mazda goes a little conservative with the engine choice, a four-cylinder 2.5-liter normally aspirated power plant. The engine is quiet and smooth throughout its rev range. Acceleration is quite good when launching the car from standstill, but it needs a heavy right foot when overtaking on the highway. That’s where the fast-acting manual override for the five-speed automatic comes in handy. Kicked down a gear, it provides good grunt. Fuel efficiency is also not too shabby, at 9.34 km/liter, in mixed city-highway runs.

So space and engine are encouraging, which is what we expected. Next comes the difficult part, handling. With a higher center of gravity, SUVs usually handle like the S.S. Titanic, and resist any effort to turn.

The CX-7 does not disappoint in the handling department. With its quick steering, it feels nimble and maneuverable. In driving feel, it very nearly matches that of the much smaller Mazda3 and feels even quicker than the lower-slung 6. The firm suspension also makes the car feel stable at high speeds

The slippery shape pays off at highway speeds past 150 km/h. Where driving a flat-fronted SUV feels like pushing against an increasingly resistant wall of air, the CX-7 still slips by quickly, and just as importantly, quietly.

Where the CX-7 may not fit all family needs is in its seating, which is only good for five. Those five will sit in supreme comfort, thanks to wide and supportive seats, including raised ones for the rear, imparting a better view of the road ahead.

The best thing about the CX-7 is its good value-for-money proposition. Loaded with a boatload of safety features and equipment, it checks in at P1.495 million, a relative steal within this category of vehicle. The only thing lacking is all-wheel drive.

So Mazda once again translates its love of driving towards a new class of vehicle. Where it energized the compact sedan class with the addicting 3, it now offers an alternative for those who want a tall driving position and plenty of space, but still want spirited handling. The joke is on other SUVs, and we are laughing along, enjoying the drive.