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2008 Mazda CX-7 GT AWD Road Test

Upon first glance, Mazda's CX-7 is a taller, heavier, slower version of the

This is the RX-8 of the crossover kingdom... but don't confuse it for an RX-8. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

Mazdaspeed6, which resides in my garage. Oh, and it's lacking a clutch pedal too. This doesn't exactly sound like a compelling case for spending a week with one, but nevertheless it's unlikely you'll be hearing this point of view anywhere else as I'm one of only a few in this country who own a Mazdaspeed6, whereas Mazda has sold a lot more CX-7s in the U.S. since its launch in 2006.

First things first, I'll put aside my doubts about the CX-7 being as sporty as Mazda claims. After all, this is Mazda we are talking about. Almost all of the vehicles they've produced within the last few years have epitomized fun to drive, except of course the ones that originate as Fords - the Tribute and B-Series truck.

There isn't really a bad angle to the CX-7's exterior. The progressive, sleek look isn't new, we saw something similar on the original Nissan Murano first, but the CX-7 looks better. It certainly looks sporty and bears more than a passing resemblance to the RX-8, from the distinctive front fenders to the clear tail lamp lenses and chrome tipped dual exhaust outlets. This is a

Those fenders, this tensed shoulder line - yup, it's a Mazda all right. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

Mazda all right. I like how the roofline tapers down while the beltline curves up towards the rear for an aggressive, windswept look. The large front windshield and high hip point side glass provide excellent outward visibility.

Move inside and you'll find a pleasant, distinctive two-tone interior. I don't think that some of the trim is as nice to the touch as it could be, but it all looks good. I'm also not sure about the faux-alligator stripe up the center of the seats. It certainly isn't offensive, though. There is lots of room for five adults inside and 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear. Should you need more room for luggage you can either drop the seats for a total of 58.6 cubic feet at the expense of your rear seat passengers, or bring along a trailer; the CX-7 will tow up to 2,000 pounds.

As a Mazda owner, it's easy for me to pick out what switchgear is shared in common with my car, and you might be surprised to know that the steering wheel comes from the MX-5 (and now the new RX-8). One

Interior is nicely laid out; tan scheme lightens things up a bit. (Photo: Steven James Day, American Auto Press)

minor gripe I have is that the buttons on the steering wheel are illuminated, but the words indicating their actions are not, so you had better memorize what they do if you plan on making use of them after dark. Another annoyance is that the CX-7 only features auto up/down on the front windows. I also wish there was a cover for the cupholders, as you get with the MX-5 and RX-8.

From a content perspective, the CX-7 comes pretty complete in stock trim, with features like navigation and the slick proximity sensing keyless entry system with its credit card-style keyfob, but if you've got a hankering for more luxury you can't get features like rain sensing wipers, Bluetooth handsfree or a power liftgate. Mind you, since the latter two items are available on the CX-7's larger sibling, the CX-9, they might also be available on the CX-7 down the road.

As found on the Wards best engine list for the last couple of years, the direct-injected, turbocharged DOHC MZR four-cylinder that motivates the

The engine's the same as what you'd get in the Mazdaspeed3... but it's tuned differently. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

CX-7 is very similar to the one found in my Mazdaspeed6 and the Mazdaspeed3. It's down-rated here though, to 244 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Since the CX-7 is heavier than it looks, a helpful portion of that torque is available from 2,500 rpm to get things moving, getting it up and off the line to 60 mph in less than eight seconds. Tuned as such, it simply lacks the punch of the MS3/MS6, and when you try to accelerate onto the highway the engine makes a noise that sounds neither powerful nor inspirational; it's very buzzy, sort of sounding like a growling dog. And if you didn't know better you'd think the only transmission available, an electronically-controlled 6-speed automatic, was a CVT., because it's so smooth. Mazda offers the CX-7 in Europe with a six-speed manual, and given that Mazda offers just about every car they make with a manual here in North America, I'm a bit surprised they didn't do the same with the CX-7. It would certainly help out with its acceleration issue, further improving its standing with performance enthusiasts.

The automatic transmission is my least favorite part of the CX-7, as it was a bit slower to react than I would have liked and the gear ratios could have been better matched to the engine's powerband. Then again, I'm a performance driver and am willing to pay the price required when swapping responsiveness for refinement, where as many others may not be so inclined. Performance in mind, there's a manual shift mode for full-forward thrust that will even hold the gear right to redline, which actually helps give the crossover a more sporting edge, but at the expense of fuel economy.

On the contrary, one of my favorite features about the CX-7 is its price, starting at $23,750 for a FWD Sport model, $25,500 for a FWD Touring model or $26,300 for a FWD GT model; AWD will add $1,700 to any of these prices. This Crystal White Pearl ($200) CX-7 GT was so equipped and stickered for $29,785, since it also featured the $1,585 moonroof/Bose audio/6CD changer package that includes a 9-speaker surround-sound Bose audio system with a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, plus the AudioPilot noise compensation system and a power sliding glass moonroof.

Ample storage space as there isn't a third row. (Photo: Steven James Day, American Auto Press)

The CX-7 not only undercuts competitors, such as the Nissan Murano, by several thousand dollars, but in the Murano's case it outsold it last year too.

Based on the Mazda6 platform, the CX-7's four-wheel independent suspension consists of struts up front with a multi-link type setup in the rear, complemented by front and rear sway bars. The AWD system is the same Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive setup that is underneath my Mazdaspeed6, but without the limited slip differential. It works seamlessly and is pretty much invisible, even in the slippery winter conditions I exposed the CX-7 to. Dynamic Stability Control is standard and can't be switched off; this isn't a problem though, since there is no reason to ever switch it off in this type of car.

Drive it like you would a Mazda6 and you'd be forgiven for thinking you could put on a helmet and hit the track. The ride is well damped with non-existent body roll resulting in excellent balance in constant radius corners, while the sharp steering offers great feedback. Drive it like you would an RX-8 and its higher center of gravity starts to fight against its taller suspension travel and narrower, higher

As far as crossovers go, the CX-7 has more than its fair share of sport. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

profile rubber trying to grip the road. Yes, the CX-7 understeers a lot, making you realize just how sticky the tires aren't. The brakes, however, feel RX-8 strong. They're fantastic with great pedal feel and minimal brake dive.

So, is the CX-7 a sports car with the functionality of an SUV? No, of course not. Let's not be silly here. That would be like saying a Cayenne Turbo offers the same driving dynamics as a 911 Turbo. It just isn't possible, no matter how stiff you make the chassis or suspension or how much horsepower its engine is given. SUV and CUVs have more in common with minivans than any sort of sports car, as they're tall vehicles with car-like handling. Not sports car-like handling. None of this makes the CX-7 a bad vehicle, as simply putting an MX-5 steering wheel into the CX-7 does not an MX-5 make. As far as crossovers go, however, there's more than just a hint of sport in the CX-7.

Just as long as we remember that vehicles in this class are not substitutes for a proper sports car, they certainly can complement one. I know more than a couple of RX-8 and Mazdaspeed6 owners who also park a CX-7 in their garage. Just be sure to accept the CX-7 for what it is, and you'll come to appreciate it as one of the sportiest crossovers in the segment.

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