Mazda CX-7 2009 review
Ten bucks says the penny-pincher inside you is balking at the very prospect of a Mazda CX-7. It's a five-seat crossover whose turbocharged engine recommends premium fuel and returns subpar gas mileage, and its cargo area is as small as its price tag is large. It is not, as Spock might say, a particularly logical choice — but is it ever a fun one. Fire up the engine, take a drive and consider some of the CX-7's strengths that are less apparent on paper, and those left-brained sensibilities eventually will come around.
The CX-7 is a smallish crossover that shares its turbo four-cylinder with the hot-rodded Mazdaspeed3. Changes for the 2009 model, which you can compare to the '08 CX-7 here, include a handful of minor cabin and styling tweaks. In ascending order, trim levels comprise the Sport, Touring and Grand Touring, with all-wheel drive optional on all three. I tested an all-wheel-drive CX-7 Grand Touring.
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Body Lubrication
All moving points of the body, such as
door and hood hinges and locks, should
be lubricated each time the engine oil is
changed. Use a nonfreezing lubricant on
locks during cold weather.
Make sur ...
Before Getting In
- Be sure the windows, outside mirrors,
and outside lights are clean.
- Inspect inflation pressures and
condition of tires.
- Look under the vehicle for any sign of
fluid leaks.
- If you plan to ...
Highway Driving
On the highway is where you'll notice you're driving a small, light car, and
that's not always a great thing. Right off, there was fair amount of road noise,
and passengers noticed a lot of wind n ...