Automatic Sport Cars

Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Mazda CX-7
Every class needs its jock. Without him, your football team would've been terrible and the grading curve for your chemistry final would've been screwed up by the smart kids. In a similar vein, the 2011 Mazda CX-7 could be described as the jock of the compact-crossover class. The CX-7 isn't as sensible as most of its rivals, but it's good looking and far more exciting when you're behind the wheel.

Like most other Mazda models, the CX-7 offers precise handling and responsive steering for its class. A radically raked windshield, bulked-up fender flares and a wide-mouth grille are commonalities as well, and we'd say they look better on the CX-7 than on its siblings. They certainly add up to a more interesting, and, yes, athletic-looking crossover than such rivals as the Chevy Equinox, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Of course, those competitors are more practical, blessed with far more space for both passengers and cargo. Families in particular will appreciate the greater versatility and kid-friendly features of the competition. Their engines are also more appealing. True, the Mazda's available turbocharged engine is certainly brawny, but its fuel economy is worst in class. The normally aspirated engine of the base-model CX-7 is more economical, but still not to the degree of the most frugal choices in this class, and it's also rather slow.

So as you can see, there are distinct pros and cons to bringing a 2011 Mazda CX-7 home to mom. If you're looking for something that's more sensible though a bit less fun, we'd suggest checking out the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage or Subaru Forester. Whoever said picking the jock would be easy?

INTERIOR
The CX-7's athletic styling carries over to the interior of the cabin, where the edgy yet functional design provides a more visually interesting environment than one might expect from a crossover SUV. A sporty three-spoke steering wheel is reminiscent of the one found in the Miata, while the gauge cluster is similar to the RX-8's. Build quality and ergonomics are both very good, although some might find the radio controls a bit complicated compared to other vehicles. The available navigation system is less expensive than those in most other cars, but its small display makes certain information hard to see.

Ample hiproom and headroom keep CX-7 passengers comfortable, even with all five seats occupied. However, rear legroom doesn't measure up to that of chief competitors, notably the Equinox. There are about 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat, while maximum capacity stands at about 59 cubes. The latter number is more than 10 cubes fewer than the class-leading RAV4, Forester and CR-V, but on par with crossovers like the Tucson and Sportage.

The CX-7 seats up to five. The dashboard features double-decker construction, with a large information display at the base of the windshield.

Folding down the rear seats provides a nearly flat load floor, and the seatbacks and rear cargo compartment are coated in plastic. Interior features include:

*Blue-ring gauges
*Standard keyless entry
*Telescoping sport steering wheel with audio and cruise-control switches
*Optional heated front seats
*Optional power moonroof
*Optional navigation unit with rearview camera
EXTERIOR
The most luxurious CX-7 s Grand Touring trim level rewards its owner with amenities such as 19-inch wheels, Xenon High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) headlights, halogen fog lights, heated mirrors, rain sensing wipers, keyless entry and remote start, electroluminescent gauges and a compact navigation system.

All variations of the Mazda CX-7 CUV will deliver its occupants to their destination in style and safety, with five-star frontal and side-impact crash test ratings from the NHTSA.

The CX-7 has a long list of standard safety features including Anti-lock brakes with brake assist and brake force distribution, front side and side curtain airbags, as well as tire pressure monitoring and traction control systems.

The CX-7 is comparable in size to other midsize crossovers, though it's relatively narrow and more likely than most to be called a wagon. Exterior features include:

*Standard 17-inch and optional 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels
*Standard power mirrors, optional heated mirrors
*Automatic on/off headlights
*Optional fog lamps
*Optional xenon headlamps
ENGINE
The CX-7 features two engine choices, with the first being a fuel sipping 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with VVT rated at 161 horsepower, mated to a standard 5-speed automatic. The second engine offering is a sportier 2.3-liter DISI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that cranks out a less civil 244 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The turbocharged 2.3 is mated to a silky smooth six speed automatic transmission and yields 18 city, and 25 highway in front wheel drive form, and 17 city, 23 highway in AWD form.

Like other Mazda models, both automatic transmissions are equipped with a sport shift mode which allows the driver to select gears manually.
SAFETY
Every 2011 Mazda CX-7 comes standard with traction and stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, a CX-7 i Sport came to a stop from 60 mph in 131 feet -- a bit longer than average. In contrast, the CX-7 s Grand Touring stopped in an excellent 113 feet.

The CX-7 has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) were a top five-star rating in both front and side collisions. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the CX-7 its highest rating of "Good" for both frontal-offset and side-impact crashworthiness, but the second-worst "Marginal" in the roof strength test.
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,www.cars.com,www.edmunds.com

safety features include:

*Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
*Standard antilock braking system with brake assist
*Standard electronic stability and traction control
*Optional blind spot warning system
*Optional backup camera