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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2011 Mazda CX-7

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Mazda CX-7

Overview

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2011 Mazda CX-7 Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.9

Mazda didn't pioneer the crossover sport utility vehicle, but with the introduction of the 2011 Mazda CX-7 it certainly made the SUV more fun to drive. With styling inspired by the company's flagship RX-8 sports car and a chassis co-engineered with former partner Ford, the CX-7 is a five-passenger family hauler with the heart and soul of a sports car. Inside the 2011 Mazda CX-7 there is room for five and a spacious cargo hold. The 2011 Mazda CX-7 offers two engines: A 244-horsepower, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and a non-turbocharged, 161-horsepower, 2.5-liter engine. The turbo engine delivers V6 power with little loss of fuel economy, while the non-turbo engine shaves a few thousand dollars from the purchase price.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you desire a vehicle worthy of driving on winding roads, but you have the responsibility of safely transporting your family, the CX-7 is one crossover SUV that can satisfy both demands.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you require a third-row seat or the ability to tow more than 2,000 pounds, the CX-7 probably won't make the cut.

What's Significant About This Car?

For 2011, Mazda adds a luxury-oriented Touring trim to the i line. The 2011 Mazda CX-7 i Touring costs about the same as the turbocharged 2011 Mazda CX-7 s Touring.

Driving the CX-7

Driving Impressions To make the Mazda "zoom-zoom" story work with a sport utility vehicle requires quite a bit of engine and suspension tuning. In the case of the 2011 Mazda CX-7, the...

goal has been accomplished while delivering a firm, but comfortable ride and adequate fuel economy. When equipped with the 161-horsepower engine, the CX-7's driving experience is still fun, if not fast. It's the 244-horsepower turbocharged engine that makes the CX-7 a blast to drive. The turbo engine delivers 90 percent of its peak toque at very low engine speeds, providing great acceleration from rest and when merging into fast-moving traffic.

Favorite Features

Folding Rear Seats
The 2011 Mazda CX-7's 60/40-split folding rear seats can be lowered via a remote release located at the rear of the cargo hold. The seatbacks fold flat without the need to remove the headrests.

Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System
With the key fob-shaped remote securely in one's pocket or purse, the CX-7's doors can be unlocked simply by approaching the vehicle.

2011 Mazda CX-7 Details

Interior

Matching the CX-7's sporty exterior is an equally handsome interior, highlighted by high-quality plastics, attractive orange dash lighting and comfortable front bucket seats. Base models feature cloth seats with chrome accents, while higher-end cars come with leather seating surfaces, automatic climate control and an available Bose audio system. Also available is a tiny navigation screen which doubles as the view screen for the rear back-up camera. The navigation screen display is too small and too busy to be effective. Rear-seat headroom and legroom is excellent. When more cargo room is required, an easy-to-reach lever folds the rear-seat backs forward.

Exterior

It takes only one glance to see the 2011 Mazda CX-7 is no ordinary SUV. With its front wheels pushed far forward and covered with RX-8-inspired hood and fender flares, the 2011 Mazda CX-7 looks like it would be happier on a racetrack rather than at soccer practice. A sleek 66-degree windshield angle furthers the CX-7's racy exterior, as do more subtle touches such as a blacked-out lower air intake, chrome door handles and large round dual exhaust tailpipes. Sporty 18- and 19-inch wheels are available.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2011 Mazda CX-7 is offered in five trim levels. The i SV, i Sport, and i Touring models feature a 161-horsepower, four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The s Touring and s Grand Touring are fitted with a 244-horsepower, turbocharged engine connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. Both automatics feature a manual-shift mode. The base i SV model includes power windows, power door locks, 17-inch wheels and cruise control. Base sound system is an AM/FM stereo with single MP3-compatible CD player and auxiliary audio input jack. The s Touring model gains 18-inch wheels, leather seating, a power adjustable driver's seat and a retractable cargo cover. The i Touring model has a Bose audio system, SIRIUS satellite radio, a rear back-up camera and a color Multi-Information Display. The i Grand Touring adds high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, 19-inch wheels, DVD navigation, Smart Key keyless entry and start and the Blind Spot Monitoring system.

Optional Equipment

Most options are bundled into groups. One such is the Touring Technology Package, which adds a Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System with nine speakers and a six-disc CD/MP3 changer and a color multi-function LCD screen with rear back-up camera. Stand-alone options include fog lamps, six-disc CD/MP3 changer, remote engine start, rear back-up camera and a DVD entertainment system.

Under the Hood

The 2011 Mazda CX-7 offers a choice of two engines. The base i SV, i Sport and i Touring use a 161-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine teamed to a five-speed Sport automatic transmission. The s Touring and s Grand Touring models employ a 244-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Though similar in design to the engine used in the MAZDASPEED3, the CX-7 uses a different turbocharger. This permits more power to be produced at a lower rpm and makes the engine act like a much larger naturally-aspirated V6. Assisting the smooth transfer of power from the turbocharged engine is a six-speed automatic transmission that features a manual shift mode for a more spirited driving experience.

2.5-liter in-line 4
161 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
161 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28

2.3-liter in-line 4 turbocharged
244 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 (FWD), 17/21 (AWD)

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2011 Mazda CX-7 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 289 Ratings for the 2007 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.0/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.2/10

Performance

8.5/10
Comfort

8.4/10

Styling

8.7/10

It's an OK car,but don't think I would get another

By Anita (FL) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 42,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I bought my 2010 Mazda cx7 new. This car is really fun to drive, and very reliable...no problems so far, but my biggest issues are: The pick up when getting onto a highway or passing The horribly cheap interior that scratches easily everywhere, and my black interior seat material, and carptet material is the hardest interior I ever had to keep clean. Everything clings everywhere! Seats are so hard to vacuume, back trunk area walls scratch very easily as well as front area, and the over all plastic on the interior doors get dirty easy. My interior is all black. Back seat room and visibility sitting in back is not so great. Head room is low. My husband hates driving it because the front seat does not go back enough for him. Also, you have to put your front seats up quite far so there is leg room in back for passangers. Blind spot when driving because of the window frame being so thick. A/C is not great either. Blower is very loud on a hot day here in Floria because you have to keep it on 3 level at least and that is LOUD!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Reliable, comfortable, fun to drive, mileage OK

By kd (TX) on Friday, February 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 30,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "reliability and styling"

Cons: "MPG"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Two years into this car and I have only had oil changes and windshield wiper replacements (and I live where we have had more than 100 days of 100f weather since I got the car, so I understand the wiper blade replacement). The MPG is much better on the Freeway than in the city, but it is still O.K. 22/29 average."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Disappointed - I bought a lemon!

By Jen (IL) on Sunday, December 30, 2012

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Too many problems, horrible gas mileage - My approximate mileage is 82,082

10 3.0

overall rating 3 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "Fun too drive, AWD was great in snow"

Cons: "HORRIBLE gas mileage, too many mechanical problems"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I only had this car for 82,000 miles and I had so many problems with it. The air conditioner, oil leaks, starter, etc. etc. I loved the way it drove and how it looked but as mine was a 2007 and had a turbo I could only use premium gasoline and I NEVER got more than 17 mpg all highway miles. I had a Mazda3 and traded it for the cx7 because we were having a 2nd child and needed something with more room. What a mistake! It really didn't feel like there was that much more room. Just discovered another oil leak issue and as my extended warranty had just run out a month ago I decided that it wasn't worth the stress of wondering what was going to go wrong next and how much it was going to cost. Paid it off and bought a Camry. Mazda's are fun to drive and the cx7 is no exception but too many costly mechanical problems. In my case, the cx7 was a lemon."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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dont buy this car!!

By crystle (WA) on Thursday, December 27, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 113,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 2/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 3/10

Pros: "big inside, feels like a suv but its a car"

Cons: "too many problems that cost a lot to fix"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"this car has had so many problems, i have had to put over $6000 worth of work into this car within the first 2 years of owning it. i ready reviews online and all over the usa people are having the same issues"

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Fun Driving Crossover!

By Jamesy (CA) on Saturday, December 15, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 14,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Appearance, price, value, sportiness"

Cons: "A little underpowered"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've now had this car for a little over a year, this is my second Mazda. It is so much fun to drive! My girlfriend has a CRV, and I can't stand the sloppy steering, my CX is nimble with great road feedback. I love the sportshift on mountain and hilly roads. Gas mileage has been pretty decent, I drive mostly freeways and average 26 mpg, not so good around town, but a recent trip to Vegas got me almost 30! I do wish there was a little more power out of the 4cyl, but 95% of the time, it's plenty adequate. Love the Bluetooth and back up camera. I plan on doing what I did with my last Mazda, and driving it for ten years and racking up the miles! My protege only required oil, brakes, tires, belts, and a muffler in 150k miles, and I think my CX will do the same!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Excellent Value

By Obe one Knob (NV) on Friday, November 16, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 85,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: Not Rated
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: Not Rated
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Handling is superior. Fun to drive"

Cons: "Wish it had a little more power. I came from a V8"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I drove the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV. This CX7 was better in ride comfort , handling and blew them away on style. I haveonly changed my oil and nothing else. This Mazda is the best car I have ever owned. The only thing bad is everyone wants to hitch a ride with you."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 289 reviews