In the spirit of the cold and flu season, I’m pretty sure I’ve caught the bug – the Mazda zoom-zoom bug, that is. I’ve now driven two very different Mazdas – the Mazda5 and CX-7 – and I really enjoyed the way both cars meshed just the right amount of fun with everyday usability.
The CX-7 is a sporty-looking crossover with superb, spunky performance to match. I had so much fun testing this one in the snow that I’d rate it a blast in any blizzard. When it came to fit and finish, the interior was comfy and enjoyable for the entire family (even the dog snuggled in; see the photo gallery).
Even with added features like the Technology Package with a premium Bose stereo system (you don’t know how valuable this is until you’ve tried it), my test CX-7 came in under $35,000. Practicality, price and performance – the perfect package!
Snazzy snazziness! This crossover refuses to ride along in the boring mom-mobile category; just look at its sharp headlights and chiseled front end. Mazda does a great job of fully incorporating its speedy reputation into the look of its vehicles.
Ease of entry was an issue with the little guys, but I’m starting to understand that SUV/crossover owners have probably gotten used to this challenge and might not be as sensitive to it as I am.
The fog lights added to the CX-7’s sporty look, and side-mirror-integrated turn signals added some bling-factor. The dual exhaust tips gave the CX-7 some sporty spice. Is there something about those twin tailpipes that give a car a kid-friendly, rocket-ship-like appearance, or is that just me?
Speaking of rocket ships, my CX-7 was painted Galaxy Gray Mica. If it were my choice, I’d have opted for the cool pale blue of the Icy Blue Metallic or the sumptuous juiciness of the Black Cherry Mica. Mmmmm!
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Groove On
Give Mazda a “value-added’ bonus, because my Grand Touring CX-7 came with leather-trimmed seats standard. My CX-7 had black leather seats; normally I’d opt for a lighter color, but a simple puff of air cleaned these seats up in a jiffy. I know this because my dog fell in love with the heated seats in this car (oh yeah, there are pictures) and left a hairy mess all over the passenger seat. As soon as I opened the front doors, Harry’s hair went wafting out with the breeze.
My CX-7 had other fun features, like a rearview camera that came with the optional Technology Package. This package also provided the phenomenal nine Bose speakers that the kids and I jammed to all week long (we were listening to an all-Christmas-music, all-the-time station; I don’t know if you can really jam to “Silent Night,’ but we did our best).
While we were rockin’ out, I did test another favorite feature: the CX-7’s SportShift mode. Honestly, the CX-7 is speedy enough with just the standard automatic, but it’s always fun to try and kick it up a notch with a little sportshifting here and there. The CX-7 didn’t disappoint. In SportShift mode, there was a little extra kick of power with every gear change that made the CX-7 the perfect family car for a mom who was a racecar driver in another life.
I wasn’t a fan of the second row’s seat belt for the center position because it hung from the ceiling and impaired my rear view, but the kids were quite comfy in the backseat. I was pleased that the Latch connectors were easy to locate.
There was cargo space aplenty in the CX-7. I made several trips to the grocery store while testing this car and never had to worry about having enough space. I even considered picking up a Christmas tree with it, but decided to hold off to give our Thanksgiving turkey a moment to shine in the cargo area.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
People want to feel safe in their car, but what really makes this happen for drivers? Constantly running through the car’s list of safety features while driving? Keeping a sticky note on the dash with the car’s crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety?
In the CX-7, it’s the cars actions that make you feel safe. We received more than 6 inches of snow the week I test-drove this car. My driveway slopes down from the road, so our first obstacle in snowy weather is getting out of the driveway. Every type of car imaginable has gotten stuck in our driveway. My boys and I even have a song we sing as my poor hubby tries to escape the snowy driveway drifts: “Go, Daddy, go! Go, Daddy, go! Get that truck out of the snow!’ Sometimes it works. When my turn came to get down the driveway in the CX-7, I expected at least a little bit of a challenge. NOPE! Nothing. We got out of the driveway and onto our snow-covered road in seconds – a total cinch. There wasn’t a slip, slide or swivel; we just drove straight onto the road as if the driveway were completely clear. This, my friends, is traction control and all-wheel drive working together to keep the car where it’s supposed to be.
In case you still want to keep a running list of safety features in your head, here they are in no particular order: AWD, traction control, stability control, front- and side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags for both rows, antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, and brake assist.
FAMILY LIFESTAGE
In Diapers: It has plenty of space for those cumbersome infant-safety seats, diaper bags and strollers.
In School: Small children might have some difficulty getting in and out of the CX-7, but it was still a transgenerational hit!
Teens: Even teens will want to be seen in this great-looking ride.
