 2011 Mazda CX-7 GT. Click image to enlarge |
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Review and photos by Haney Louka
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2011 Mazda CX-7
It looks like our search just might be over.
Even though our 2004 Mazda6 wagon is still in great shape, it’s time for us to start thinking about replacing it. I’ve lamented on these pages before about how Mazda – and just about every other non-luxury brand – has abandoned the North American mid-sized wagon market, because in their view there is no market to speak of. As a result, we’ve lost the Subaru Legacy wagon and VW Passat wagon; and no, I could not look at a Honda Accord Crosstour in my driveway every day, so don’t even ask. They say it’s all about crossovers now, so crossover shopping we go.
But first, a short summary: I started writing articles about replacing our wagon earlier in 2011. First there was the Toyota Venza, which looks like a grown-up wagon and has sporty styling, but an uninspiring driving experience. As well, a few deal-killing annoyances prevented us from taking it seriously.
 2011 Mazda CX-7 GT. Click image to enlarge |
Then came the Mazda5, a vehicle that impressed us with how well it did what we asked of it and did it in an efficient yet entertaining manner. The problem with that one? I can’t get past its dowdy looks. Call me superficial, but I have to look at it every day and that ain’t gonna happen.
Granted, with those two models we’ve hardly scratched the surface of what’s available on the market, but let’s narrow it down: given that what I really want is a wagon, if we are to buy a crossover it needs to be as car-like as possible. It should also be no thirstier than our wagon (which has published city/highway figures of 12.0 and 7.9 L/100 km) and it needs to keep body roll in check while delivering satisfying steering response. We want the available cargo space to come close to that available in our surprisingly accommodating wagon (953 litres behind the rear seat and 1,713 with the seat folded), but that’s a tough thing to accomplish whilst keeping outside dimensions relatively tidy.
  2011 Mazda CX-7 GT. Click image to enlarge |
We were fortunate enough to get our hands on a 2011 Mazda CX-7 press vehicle for our summer getaway this year. The route consisted of about 2,500 km of mostly highway driving, taking us southeast of Winnipeg to Minneapolis, then straight north past Duluth, Minnesota. We continued north through the Minnesota border town of International Falls and across into Fort Frances, Ontario. We spent a week in scenic north-western Ontario before returning home to Winnipeg.
The CX-7 starts at $26,495 for the front-drive GX with a 161-horse 2.5-litre four-banger and five-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloys, four-wheel vented discs and fully independent suspension, stability control, side-curtain airbags, A/C, four-speaker audio, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a split-folding rear seat, automatic headlights, tilt and telescoping wheel, a trip computer, and rain-sensing wipers. The only thing I’d like to see added to the standard equipment list is a retractable cargo cover, which only comes on top-trim models.
Those wanting all-wheel drive will need to step up to the $29,995 GS, and in the process will get Mazda’s turbocharged 2.3-litre direct-injected four-cylinder that produces a robust 244 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. They also get a six-speed automatic to help keep the engine in its power band when desired. GS models also benefit from 18-inch alloys and dual exhaust. Optional on the GS is the $2,995 luxury package, adding power heated leather seats, a power moonroof, and automatic climate control.
