Safety & Reliability

In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the CX-7 earned top scores in both front and side-impact tests. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system, as well as six airbags.

Child-seat provisions include standard Latch child-seat anchors in the outboard rear seats. Top-tether anchors for the outboard positions sit midway down the seatbacks — a more accessible location than up in the ceiling or down at the base of the seats, which is where they're found on many SUVs. Though the outboard rear seats have head restraints, there isn't one for the middle position; that's something the Escape, RAV4 and others include.

Reliability has been middle-of-the-road, with average overall scores from Consumer Reports. The publication rates the RAV4 significantly higher and the Vue significantly lower. Mazda's three-year/36,000-mile comprehensive and five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty match most competitors', though the Vue, Outlander and Santa Fe offer even longer policies.

Stepping up to the Touring ($25,800) adds heated leather upholstery and a power driver's seat, while the Grand Touring ($26,700) adds automatic climate control, upgraded gauges and interior trim, xenon headlights and a few styling tweaks. All-wheel drive on any trim adds $1,700. Other options include the navigation system, a backup camera, Bose audio and a moonroof. Load a Grand Touring to the gunwales, and the price tops out around $33,000.

    See also:

    Front
    1. Hood. 2. Windshield wiper blades. 3. Moonroof. 4. Doors and keys. 5. Fuel-filler lid. 6. Tires. 7. Light bulbs. ...

    Seat Belt Warning Light/Beep
    The seat belt warning light illuminates and a beep sound will be heard if the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. Conditions of operation ...

    Moonroof
    * Some models. The moonroof can be opened or closed electrically only when the ignition switch is in the ON position. WARNING: Do not let passengers stand up or extend part of their body throu ...