Once you hop in and right away you'll start seeing the whole "SUV-meets-sports-car" thing in action. Note the windshield: It's steeply raked, just like a sports car. The shift lever is positioned in about the same place you'd find it in a sports car, too. And the steering wheel is borrowed from the MX-5 Miata. The one un-sports-car-like feature is the tall SUV-like seating position, which I applaud - maybe it's 'cause I'm not that tall, but I like sitting up high. I found the CX-7 easy to see out of and quite comfy, though the cramped footwell could really use a sports-car-like footrest.I liked that Mazda designed the rear suspension to minimize the intrusion of the rear fenderwells on cargo space. The rear seatback splits and folds, and the release mechanism rocks: Pull a handle in the trunk and the seatback on that side unlatches and folds down all by itself.
The CX-7's Zoom-Zoom factor comes from a four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger, intercooler, and direct fuel injection (which improves power, response and mileage). The good news: Power output (244 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque) is similar to a V6, and aside from a slight hesitation when floored from a standstill, the engine pulls like a V6. The bad news: It consumes fuel like a V6. A new six-speed automatic with manual mode is the sole transmission offering.
Care for a ride with me....you're most welcome!!
- Pamit/Puda -
