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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2009 Mazda CX-7

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

Overview

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2009 Mazda CX-7 Review

By KBB.com Editors

With full-size SUVs falling from public favor, manufacturers are pinning their hopes on crossovers. These crossovers combine the ride and handling of a car with the high seating position and spacious cargo hold of a large SUV, but without the larger vehicle's penalties for fuel economy and maneuverability. One such vehicle is the 2009 Mazda CX-7, a sleek, five-passenger SUV with the heart of a sports car. Designed to evoke the same sporty image as Mazda's flagship performance coupe, the RX-8, the CX-7 may be the sportiest crossover you can buy for around $25,000. Although the CX-7's turbocharged four-cylinder engine may be a radical departure for those accustomed to a big V8, we think consumers will quickly warm up to its powerful performance and reasonable fuel consumption.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're the type who prefers a sport coupe to a station wagon, but the realities of family life mean you need interior space and versatility, the 2009 Mazda CX-7's roomy rear seat, optional all-wheel-drive and seductive good looks present a workable compromise.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Those who require seating for seven or the ability to tow more than 2000 pounds won't be enthusiastic about the CX-7. Drivers accustomed to a permanently-engaged four-wheel-drive system may not warm to the CX-7's Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system that engages only when the front tires slip.

What's New for 2009

For 2009, all trims add an auxiliary input jack. The Grand Touring trims receive an auto-dimming rearview mirror and integrated side mirror turn signals, while heated seats with a power driver's seat are made available on the Sport trim.

Driving the CX-7

Driving Impressions While Mazda's "zoom-zoom" driving experience may be easily blended into a small sports car, doing so with a five-passenger crossover SUV is quite another story. Fortunately, this one has a...

happy ending as the CX-7 excels in the areas of handling, braking, acceleration and overall ride comfort. The all-aluminum 2.3-liter turbocharged engine is powerful enough to move the CX-7 with ease, delivering 90 percent of its power in the 2000-2500 rpm range. More importantly, the engine's lightweight construction places less weight over the front wheels, helping improve steering response and maneuverability as well as creating a more evenly balanced chassis. From behind the wheel, the CX-7 feels more like the Mazda6 than it does a crossover SUV, displaying level cornering, immediate turn-in response and excellent straight-line stability.

Favorite Features

Folding Rear Seats
The CX-7's 60/40-split folding rear seats can be lowered via a spring-loaded release located at the rear of the cargo hold. The seatbacks are designed to fold flat without needing to remove the adjustable headrests.

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

2009 Mazda CX-7 Details

Interior

Mazda is known for its high-quality interiors and the 2009 CX-7 is no exception. A tasteful blend of textured black plastic and chrome surrounds make up the instrument cluster and center console, while the optional beige leather seating creates a striking contrast. The broad dashboard features a hooded crease that parallels the base of the windshield, beneath which resides a glowing orange display for the audio and heating readouts. A sporty three-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the MX-5 roadster is an unexpected treat, and the comfortable front bucket seats offer excellent support for spirited driving. An easy-to-reach lever located in the cargo area activates the spring-loaded rear-seat backs, allowing them to be folded flat without having to make a long and awkward reach.

Exterior

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 is not your father's chunky SUV. With a windshield fixed at a sleek 66-degree angle, front wheels pushed far forward and an RX-8-inspired hood and front fenders, the CX-7 looks almost as though it was built to race rather than commute. Strong character lines sweep from the front A-pillars to the familiar Mazda five-point grille, while bulging wheel flairs combined with a gently rising beltline help accentuate the CX-7's sports car-like nature. Subtle touches, such as the blacked-out lower air intake, chrome door handles and large round dual exhaust tailpipes further separate the CX-7 from more traditionally-styled crossovers. Bolstering the CX-7's "zoom-zoom" attitude are handsome 18-inch wheels, which Mazda includes as standard equipment on all three trim levels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 comes in three trim levels, each fitted with the same 2.3-liter, turbocharged engine and six-speed Sport automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Base models include manual air-conditioning, power windows, power door locks, 18-inch wheels, front side-impact and front and rear head-curtain airbags, cruise control, AM/FM stereo with single MP3-compatible CD player and auxiliary audio input jack, anti-lock brakes, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). The Touring model gains leather seating, a power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and a retractable cargo cover. The Grand Touring adds high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, automatic climate control, body-colored mirrors, chrome door handles and fog lamps.

Optional Equipment

Most options are bundled into groups, such as the Technology Package that adds DVD-based navigation, a rear backup camera, a Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System with nine speakers and a six-disc CD/MP3 changer, a power moonroof and Mazda's Advanced Keyless Entry and Start. A less expensive Sun and Sound package includes just the moonroof and Bose audio system. Stand-alone options include a power driver's seat, heated seats, fog lamps, six-disc CD/MP3 changer, remote engine start, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and a retractable cargo cover.

Under the Hood

The 2009 Mazda CX-7 is powered by a 244-horsepower, 2.3-liter intercooled and turbocharged Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) engine. Though similar in design to the engine used in the MAZDASPEED3, the CX-7's uses a different turbocharger with a smaller turbine inlet. This design permits more power to be produced at a lower rpm, creating a more linear acceleration curve comparable to one produced by a larger, normally-aspirated V6. In fact, the CX-7's 2.3-liter powerplant displays none of the characteristics inherent with turbocharging, showing no noticeable rush of power as the turbo builds boost with essentially imperceptible turbo lag. Assisting the smooth transfer of power is a six-speed Sport automatic transmission featuring a manual shift mode for a more spirited driving experience.

2.3-liter in-line 4 Turbocharged
244 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 (FWD), 16/22 (AWD)

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2009 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