Mazda CX-7 - What's it like?
Discussion
I'm looking at CX7's and wondered if anyone has ownership experience, or had a 'play' with one and can vouch for their performance?
I currently own a Subaru Forester 2.5XT, it's rated at 208 bhp but think that was conservative from Subaru as it'll hits 60mph in 6 secs and feels every bit that fast.
The CX-7 has the 2.3T from the MPS and 256bhp. ..but 8 secs to 60. Is that 8 secs misleading or is it really that stunted by the weight?
They're rare cars so haven't test driven one yet, but hopefully next weekend.
I currently own a Subaru Forester 2.5XT, it's rated at 208 bhp but think that was conservative from Subaru as it'll hits 60mph in 6 secs and feels every bit that fast.
The CX-7 has the 2.3T from the MPS and 256bhp. ..but 8 secs to 60. Is that 8 secs misleading or is it really that stunted by the weight?
They're rare cars so haven't test driven one yet, but hopefully next weekend.
Hi, I've had mine since Oct 2013 and it's been great.
Firstly I can't compare with Subaru performance - I'm no longer racing from the lights GP and prefer to make progress swiftly without 'brown underwear' moments.
The apparent tardy acceleration might also be the gearbox - it's not a slick piece but requires positive and accurate use before you let the torque blast you up the road. Once rolling that torque usually accommodates most needs for overtaking as it builds from around 2k. The engine is vocal.
The mpg is 25 almost regardless of effort - cruise up the mway at 70, or blast around Scotland, still about 325 miles to a tank (I don't crawl through many cities so not sure what it's like there - probs not better!).
What it does do is cruise nicely - very quiet at 70, and very secure on the road, even with my nearly worn Bridgestones. Not tried the 4wd in anger yet.
Local Mazda garage cheap for servicing (mine has Mazda warranty - £504 next year with £0 excess and roadside assist in UK and Europe) and so far nothing has needed attention. Annual service <£300.
I wanted to buy a Forester too, but couldn't find a good one in budget and there were concerns over it's size - the Mazda is a bit bigger inside?
Also, the CX7 is rare - esp petrol versions, and IMHO a good looking design (better than the CX5).
Firstly I can't compare with Subaru performance - I'm no longer racing from the lights GP and prefer to make progress swiftly without 'brown underwear' moments.
The apparent tardy acceleration might also be the gearbox - it's not a slick piece but requires positive and accurate use before you let the torque blast you up the road. Once rolling that torque usually accommodates most needs for overtaking as it builds from around 2k. The engine is vocal.
The mpg is 25 almost regardless of effort - cruise up the mway at 70, or blast around Scotland, still about 325 miles to a tank (I don't crawl through many cities so not sure what it's like there - probs not better!).
What it does do is cruise nicely - very quiet at 70, and very secure on the road, even with my nearly worn Bridgestones. Not tried the 4wd in anger yet.
Local Mazda garage cheap for servicing (mine has Mazda warranty - £504 next year with £0 excess and roadside assist in UK and Europe) and so far nothing has needed attention. Annual service <£300.
I wanted to buy a Forester too, but couldn't find a good one in budget and there were concerns over it's size - the Mazda is a bit bigger inside?
Also, the CX7 is rare - esp petrol versions, and IMHO a good looking design (better than the CX5).
The Don of Croy said:
Hi, I've had mine since Oct 2013 and it's been great.
Firstly I can't compare with Subaru performance - I'm no longer racing from the lights GP and prefer to make progress swiftly without 'brown underwear' moments.
The apparent tardy acceleration might also be the gearbox - it's not a slick piece but requires positive and accurate use before you let the torque blast you up the road. Once rolling that torque usually accommodates most needs for overtaking as it builds from around 2k. The engine is vocal.
The mpg is 25 almost regardless of effort - cruise up the mway at 70, or blast around Scotland, still about 325 miles to a tank (I don't crawl through many cities so not sure what it's like there - probs not better!).
What it does do is cruise nicely - very quiet at 70, and very secure on the road, even with my nearly worn Bridgestones. Not tried the 4wd in anger yet.
Local Mazda garage cheap for servicing (mine has Mazda warranty - £504 next year with £0 excess and roadside assist in UK and Europe) and so far nothing has needed attention. Annual service <£300.
I wanted to buy a Forester too, but couldn't find a good one in budget and there were concerns over it's size - the Mazda is a bit bigger inside?
Also, the CX7 is rare - esp petrol versions, and IMHO a good looking design (better than the CX5).
Thanks for the summary, I guess it would be fair to say I still enjoy a traffic light grand prix, just to see their faces after being taught a lesson by what they thought was a donkey! I guess a remap would counter the extra weight nicelyFirstly I can't compare with Subaru performance - I'm no longer racing from the lights GP and prefer to make progress swiftly without 'brown underwear' moments.
The apparent tardy acceleration might also be the gearbox - it's not a slick piece but requires positive and accurate use before you let the torque blast you up the road. Once rolling that torque usually accommodates most needs for overtaking as it builds from around 2k. The engine is vocal.
The mpg is 25 almost regardless of effort - cruise up the mway at 70, or blast around Scotland, still about 325 miles to a tank (I don't crawl through many cities so not sure what it's like there - probs not better!).
What it does do is cruise nicely - very quiet at 70, and very secure on the road, even with my nearly worn Bridgestones. Not tried the 4wd in anger yet.
Local Mazda garage cheap for servicing (mine has Mazda warranty - £504 next year with £0 excess and roadside assist in UK and Europe) and so far nothing has needed attention. Annual service <£300.
I wanted to buy a Forester too, but couldn't find a good one in budget and there were concerns over it's size - the Mazda is a bit bigger inside?
Also, the CX7 is rare - esp petrol versions, and IMHO a good looking design (better than the CX5).
The CX7 does appear a big bigger inside which is what I need and good news re the mpg, that's doable.
The Mazda would also be a nice move upmarket with the punchy Base stereo.
adingley84 said:
...The Mazda would also be a nice move upmarket with the punchy Base stereo.
The ICE is good - but my CD is a little intolerant of my home burn discs...I've also added a Grom thingy and 'stream' audio from a dongle (did I really just type that?) but it's also a little unhelpful - it tends to crop the first 1 sec of a track and skip others, and sometimes just gives up and turns off that function.
For tuning it seems BBR have some pedigree with Mazda DISI turbo's - 300hp being yours for >£500 apparently.
One thing irritates - the centre console sum armrest...it's too far back because of the handbrake. In other markets they don't have the HB and the console extends to where it's needed. And they get a sunroof. Sobs.
Hi Adingley, I saw your response on the pictures thread but thought i'd respond in here.
I bought my CX-7 in June and have only driven around 1,200 miles so far (either been bus or cycling to work).
I have driven it down to Newcastle for a weekend and a couple of visits back to the dealer in Perth (managed to get a new headlight replaced under warranty! Xenons as well).
It drives really nicely but is not great from a standing start - mainly due to the gearbox and it is a big motor!
Once moving though, the torque fairly shifts it along.
I averaged 27mpg on the Newcastle trip as I was taking it easy to see how good I could get it.
Day to day, short journeys have me averaging 24.9mpg so it's not too bad (and factor in £485 road tax for the petrol version).
I love it, the spec is great, the Bose stereo sounds very good. I do find the seats a little hard but that's probably my only complaint.
I have thought about a remap, 300bhp does sound appealing.
I looked at these for years and I am so glad I decided to go for mine this year.
I also looked at Forester XTn but the ones I looked at were quite rough so I never ended up in one.
I bought my CX-7 in June and have only driven around 1,200 miles so far (either been bus or cycling to work).
I have driven it down to Newcastle for a weekend and a couple of visits back to the dealer in Perth (managed to get a new headlight replaced under warranty! Xenons as well).
It drives really nicely but is not great from a standing start - mainly due to the gearbox and it is a big motor!
Once moving though, the torque fairly shifts it along.
I averaged 27mpg on the Newcastle trip as I was taking it easy to see how good I could get it.
Day to day, short journeys have me averaging 24.9mpg so it's not too bad (and factor in £485 road tax for the petrol version).
I love it, the spec is great, the Bose stereo sounds very good. I do find the seats a little hard but that's probably my only complaint.
I have thought about a remap, 300bhp does sound appealing.
I looked at these for years and I am so glad I decided to go for mine this year.
I also looked at Forester XTn but the ones I looked at were quite rough so I never ended up in one.
The Don of Croy said:
The ICE is good - but my CD is a little intolerant of my home burn discs...
I've also added a Grom thingy and 'stream' audio from a dongle (did I really just type that?) but it's also a little unhelpful - it tends to crop the first 1 sec of a track and skip others, and sometimes just gives up and turns off that function.
For tuning it seems BBR have some pedigree with Mazda DISI turbo's - 300hp being yours for >£500 apparently.
One thing irritates - the centre console sum armrest...it's too far back because of the handbrake. In other markets they don't have the HB and the console extends to where it's needed. And they get a sunroof. Sobs.
Thanks for the 'living with the CX7' style info, always good to know. Agreen too that BBR are the boys about town at the moment when it comes to o tuning MazdasI've also added a Grom thingy and 'stream' audio from a dongle (did I really just type that?) but it's also a little unhelpful - it tends to crop the first 1 sec of a track and skip others, and sometimes just gives up and turns off that function.
For tuning it seems BBR have some pedigree with Mazda DISI turbo's - 300hp being yours for >£500 apparently.
One thing irritates - the centre console sum armrest...it's too far back because of the handbrake. In other markets they don't have the HB and the console extends to where it's needed. And they get a sunroof. Sobs.
AmiableChimp said:
Hi Adingley, I saw your response on the pictures thread but thought i'd respond in here.
I bought my CX-7 in June and have only driven around 1,200 miles so far (either been bus or cycling to work).
I have driven it down to Newcastle for a weekend and a couple of visits back to the dealer in Perth (managed to get a new headlight replaced under warranty! Xenons as well).
It drives really nicely but is not great from a standing start - mainly due to the gearbox and it is a big motor!
Once moving though, the torque fairly shifts it along.
I averaged 27mpg on the Newcastle trip as I was taking it easy to see how good I could get it.
Day to day, short journeys have me averaging 24.9mpg so it's not too bad (and factor in £485 road tax for the petrol version).
I love it, the spec is great, the Bose stereo sounds very good. I do find the seats a little hard but that's probably my only complaint.
I have thought about a remap, 300bhp does sound appealing.
I looked at these for years and I am so glad I decided to go for mine this year.
I also looked at Forester XTn but the ones I looked at were quite rough so I never ended up in one.
Yeah I've been hunting down any CX7 thread mentions! I bought my CX-7 in June and have only driven around 1,200 miles so far (either been bus or cycling to work).
I have driven it down to Newcastle for a weekend and a couple of visits back to the dealer in Perth (managed to get a new headlight replaced under warranty! Xenons as well).
It drives really nicely but is not great from a standing start - mainly due to the gearbox and it is a big motor!
Once moving though, the torque fairly shifts it along.
I averaged 27mpg on the Newcastle trip as I was taking it easy to see how good I could get it.
Day to day, short journeys have me averaging 24.9mpg so it's not too bad (and factor in £485 road tax for the petrol version).
I love it, the spec is great, the Bose stereo sounds very good. I do find the seats a little hard but that's probably my only complaint.
I have thought about a remap, 300bhp does sound appealing.
I looked at these for years and I am so glad I decided to go for mine this year.
I also looked at Forester XTn but the ones I looked at were quite rough so I never ended up in one.
Interesting to hear your running costs, all sounds acceptable although comes in on that post 06 tax band and a couple of mpg worse than the XT in the real world. My 'line' with her indoors is that I'm actually saving us money by not buying at £12k diesel 1.6 something :-)
Liking the fact that all have exactly the same spec as so finding one really does come down to price and condition. All seems to have FSH
Will have to see for myself re performance but not expecting to be blown away like my 1st drive of the XT unfortunately, but i may get a surprise!
I have had a few now. I am a Subaru man, but buy these as they seem to appeal to subaru types and are often bought by people trading in or having owned subarus in the past. They are a wee bit different, look good and drive very well. I would second the firm seats comment. The other thing that imo lets them down it the 4 cyl noise, its quite a harsh sounding engine to my mind and looks like it should sound better.
They seem to be mainly in black or red, black with black suits the shape best, i think the red dates them. From memory i believe the power is restricted in 1st and 2nd, that might account for the 0 to 60 time? They do drive and handle superbly, far better than its bulk would suggest.
They seem to be mainly in black or red, black with black suits the shape best, i think the red dates them. From memory i believe the power is restricted in 1st and 2nd, that might account for the 0 to 60 time? They do drive and handle superbly, far better than its bulk would suggest.
leefee said:
From memory i believe the power is restricted in 1st and 2nd, that might account for the 0 to 60 time? They do drive and handle superbly, far better than its bulk would suggest.
Stuff like this reignites that hope again! Sounds about right re Subaru owners being regulars for you. We just like something a bit different, and the knowledge that we have something special others don't know about, or don't understand. :-)
Re justifying the running costs with the Mrs...
I told mine, whilst it only does around 24mpg and costs £485 for road tax, I only paid £8,100 for a 58 reg with 41k on it and FSH from a Mazda main dealer (add in around £600 on warranty for a new xenon headlight and it just gets better!).
If it was a year newer and diesel, I would have paid about £5-6k more and it'll take me a long time to drive that much fuel!
The paint does seem to be a scratch magnet but I put that down to soft jap paint finishes - i'm sure your Scooby would have been similar. It does give me an excuse to get the rotary polisher out
I told mine, whilst it only does around 24mpg and costs £485 for road tax, I only paid £8,100 for a 58 reg with 41k on it and FSH from a Mazda main dealer (add in around £600 on warranty for a new xenon headlight and it just gets better!).
If it was a year newer and diesel, I would have paid about £5-6k more and it'll take me a long time to drive that much fuel!
The paint does seem to be a scratch magnet but I put that down to soft jap paint finishes - i'm sure your Scooby would have been similar. It does give me an excuse to get the rotary polisher out
Just remembered - don't buy one.
Reason being - no light in the glove box. Just unbelievable - damped glove box door, no problem, but fit a light???
Also the door mirrors don't have a folding function (at least not automatically).
So that's two solid reasons not to buy.
Meantime I've just had new 4 x tyres delivered (Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season) at nearly £500.00 and they're enormous! Anybody want some part worn Bridgetone Duellers?
Later this month I have to renew the Mazda warranty - 12 months with zero excess on the highest level of cover comes in at £504.40 which, at not a lot more than a major service, seems like peace of mind.
Road tax next month. That'll be £1500 splurged in 6 weeks - better get some miles driven to amortise it...
I bought one to replace an old MY00 Impreza Turbo this year I had from new.
Good points - the wife loves it and the sound system is better than the BOSE in my 997.
Bad points the economy is about 27mpg and tax is £480 per year.
Surprisingly good fun to drive and straight line performance is fairly impressive for its size.
I've driven it about 5k miles as a second car and its a solid family wagon with a good turn of speed.
At a garage at the moment being converted to LPG - cost £1350 and should then with price difference of fuels return>40 mpg.
My initial plans were to keep it as a low mileage second car but its getting too much use at the minute hence the conversion.
Good points - the wife loves it and the sound system is better than the BOSE in my 997.
Bad points the economy is about 27mpg and tax is £480 per year.
Surprisingly good fun to drive and straight line performance is fairly impressive for its size.
I've driven it about 5k miles as a second car and its a solid family wagon with a good turn of speed.
At a garage at the moment being converted to LPG - cost £1350 and should then with price difference of fuels return>40 mpg.
My initial plans were to keep it as a low mileage second car but its getting too much use at the minute hence the conversion.
The Don of Croy said:
Just remembered - don't buy one.
Reason being - no light in the glove box. Just unbelievable - damped glove box door, no problem, but fit a light???
Also the door mirrors don't have a folding function (at least not automatically).
So that's two solid reasons not to buy.
Meantime I've just had new 4 x tyres delivered (Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season) at nearly £500.00 and they're enormous! Anybody want some part worn Bridgetone Duellers?
Later this month I have to renew the Mazda warranty - 12 months with zero excess on the highest level of cover comes in at £504.40 which, at not a lot more than a major service, seems like peace of mind.
Road tax next month. That'll be £1500 splurged in 6 weeks - better get some miles driven to amortise it...
Hmm. Not a good start to this post with 'don't buy one!'Reason being - no light in the glove box. Just unbelievable - damped glove box door, no problem, but fit a light???
Also the door mirrors don't have a folding function (at least not automatically).
So that's two solid reasons not to buy.
Meantime I've just had new 4 x tyres delivered (Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season) at nearly £500.00 and they're enormous! Anybody want some part worn Bridgetone Duellers?
Later this month I have to renew the Mazda warranty - 12 months with zero excess on the highest level of cover comes in at £504.40 which, at not a lot more than a major service, seems like peace of mind.
Road tax next month. That'll be £1500 splurged in 6 weeks - better get some miles driven to amortise it...
Only the plus side, sounds like £120 per tyre which is significantly cheaper than my 1 Series run flats. I've got a top friend and mechanic so wouldnt gamble on the an aftermarket warranty...and servicling will be similar for anything I look at.
But no light in the glove box....that's a deal breaker!
tyrone1973 said:
I bought one to replace an old MY00 Impreza Turbo this year I had from new.
Good points - the wife loves it and the sound system is better than the BOSE in my 997.
Bad points the economy is about 27mpg and tax is £480 per year.
Surprisingly good fun to drive and straight line performance is fairly impressive for its size.
I've driven it about 5k miles as a second car and its a solid family wagon with a good turn of speed.
At a garage at the moment being converted to LPG - cost £1350 and should then with price difference of fuels return>40 mpg.
My initial plans were to keep it as a low mileage second car but its getting too much use at the minute hence the conversion.
Interesting idea about the lpg, I take it that's with a doughnut in the spare wheel space?Good points - the wife loves it and the sound system is better than the BOSE in my 997.
Bad points the economy is about 27mpg and tax is £480 per year.
Surprisingly good fun to drive and straight line performance is fairly impressive for its size.
I've driven it about 5k miles as a second car and its a solid family wagon with a good turn of speed.
At a garage at the moment being converted to LPG - cost £1350 and should then with price difference of fuels return>40 mpg.
My initial plans were to keep it as a low mileage second car but its getting too much use at the minute hence the conversion.
I think the tax is a psychological issue, it's only £200 more than my Forester and easily offset against purchase price as you figured as well. SamE for the mpg, I think some people are getting worse but nice to know 27 is achievable!
Plus the fact you're happy with the performance coming from a Turbo is good news.
Didn't get a chancE to test drive at the weekend but hopefully will this one
Have now test driven a 58 plate with 50k miles on the clock and very impressed.
The fit and finish is very good, feeling really quite plush (compared to my Forester).
The test drive was a good one. Despite being quite a heavy car for its size it certainly shifts! Nice having that turbo shove from so low down too circa 2.5k rom. Midrange pull is where this car really excels whilst the gearshift is very precise for quick changes too.
Has enough room in the back for a rearward facing car seat and the front passenger still have feeling in their legs! Only practical downside is the raked back windscreen which harms practicality for what we need. And unfortunately that was a deal breaker.
So...had a rethink of the car situation and traded in the wife's Signum for a Mazda 5 2.0 Sport for full on family duties, and I'll keep for Forester for dog walks and giggles. I'd have been sad to see it go after all!
The fit and finish is very good, feeling really quite plush (compared to my Forester).
The test drive was a good one. Despite being quite a heavy car for its size it certainly shifts! Nice having that turbo shove from so low down too circa 2.5k rom. Midrange pull is where this car really excels whilst the gearshift is very precise for quick changes too.
Has enough room in the back for a rearward facing car seat and the front passenger still have feeling in their legs! Only practical downside is the raked back windscreen which harms practicality for what we need. And unfortunately that was a deal breaker.
So...had a rethink of the car situation and traded in the wife's Signum for a Mazda 5 2.0 Sport for full on family duties, and I'll keep for Forester for dog walks and giggles. I'd have been sad to see it go after all!
My missus had both the 2.3t petrol and the 2.2 diesel.
The 2.3 is a quick car. Autocar figured the 0-60 at 6.8secs, and that felt about right. The midrange was strong and punchy too. Basically, it's mkV golf gti quick. A mate had a gti at the same time she had the petrol one, and it kept could keep up with the gti being driven hard with ease. In fact it would close in on it on the straights. In a straight line the cx7 also felt faster than our previous rx8.
Putting your foot down and blowing 320d's etc into the water never got boring. People thought it was a rav4/Santa Fe etc. and were shocked to find that their swanky repmobiles paled in comparison performance wise.
The 2.3 also handled pretty well given it's size, much better than the 2.2 with the heavier diesel lump up front.
Average mpg was 27mpg. The best I got was 38mpg, but that was on a long run sticking at 60 mph for 300 miles, lol. The diesel returned 37 mpg but was nowhere near as much fun.
The 2.3 is a quick car. Autocar figured the 0-60 at 6.8secs, and that felt about right. The midrange was strong and punchy too. Basically, it's mkV golf gti quick. A mate had a gti at the same time she had the petrol one, and it kept could keep up with the gti being driven hard with ease. In fact it would close in on it on the straights. In a straight line the cx7 also felt faster than our previous rx8.
Putting your foot down and blowing 320d's etc into the water never got boring. People thought it was a rav4/Santa Fe etc. and were shocked to find that their swanky repmobiles paled in comparison performance wise.
The 2.3 also handled pretty well given it's size, much better than the 2.2 with the heavier diesel lump up front.
Average mpg was 27mpg. The best I got was 38mpg, but that was on a long run sticking at 60 mph for 300 miles, lol. The diesel returned 37 mpg but was nowhere near as much fun.
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