Mazda

CX-7

Combining sports car looks and sports utility vehicle practicality results in the Mazda CX-7 – an incredible crossover vehicle guaranteed to deliver a blistering ride in comfort and style. The specification levels on this vehicle are exceptionally high.

The good

Versatile and stylish

The bad

The dashboard has too much plastic

Tech Specs

Price from

£27,595

Combined Fuel up to

37.7mpg

0-62 from

11.3 seconds

max speed up to

124mph

co2 from

199g/km

Test Drive

Mazda CX-7 2.2D Sport

When it comes to performance, quality features and a very reassuring price tag, few vehicles come even close to matching the impressive Mazda CX-7.

Boasting drop dead gorgeous looks with an I’m-ready-for-anything attitude, the CX-7 is guaranteed to turn heads and will easily stand out in any crowded car park with its dashing lines and privacy glass in the rear and rear side windows.

And once you step inside the cabin, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the comfort levels, abundance of space and levels of luxury that surround you at every turn.

The seats – heated and leather of course – can be moved every which way to find the perfect driving position and the dials, controls and read-outs are all ideally positioned for ease of use with many functions operated via levers on the steering wheel.

Rear seat passengers are treated to plenty of leg and head room and there is a generously-sized boot to carry any luggage requirements. This is complemented further by a host of useful storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin.

Creature comforts include climate control, auto dimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensitive wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, a rear-view parking camera, sat nav with a colour display, excellent Bose audio system with six CD auto-changer and nine speakers and plenty more besides.

And when it comes to the drive itself – well what a performer. In and around town, the CX-7 breezed through heavy traffic with ease proving that sports utility vehicles can be agile and easily manoeuvred.

Then out on the more open road, the 2.2-litre engine delivered plenty of power and the six-speed manual transmission was both smooth and responsive.

Motorway driving is made that much safer by the rear vehicle monitoring system which warns you of any vehicles that may be in your blind spot before changing lanes – this is done via an audio alert and a visual warning on the driver’s door mirror.

And when you add in Mazda’s Active Torque 4-Wheel Drive system you know you will be safe driving through anything Mother Nature throws in your path.

Other safety features include anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, dynamic stability control, numerous airbags, traction control and lots more.

All in all, the CX-7 is a brilliant performer, and costing less than £27k, it is outstanding value for money.

In fact, if I had find anything to gripe about with regards to this vehicle it would be that I only had it for a one week loan.