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Road Test: 2010 Mazda CX-7
By : Sheryll Alexander
Date : 11/09/2009

Crossover vehicles (CUVs) are fast becoming the most versatile vehicles on the road and the 2010 Mazda CX-7 is one of the very best. Yes, Mazda has a winner with its 2010 CX-7 model.

Launched in 2007, the Mazda CX-7 blends excellent Euro-Asian design with sports car performance and SUV functionality to create this cool CUV. Mazda powertrain engineers were keen to build a more fuel efficient CX-7, which they achieved by putting a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that gets 28 mpg hwy and 20 mpg city. Wow!

And then there’s the exterior and interior design. "A key word in the development process of the 2010 CX-7 was refinement," says Mazda CX-7 program manager Masashi Otsuka.

I agree. The 2010 Mazda CX-7 has captured the refinement of European sophistication, Asian minimalism and American power. On a weeklong road test along the coastal highways of my native Orange County, Calif., I found the 2010 Mazda CX-7 to be a super fun-to-drive CUV with lots of family-friendly characteristics.

2010 Mazda CX-7 Exterior

Outside, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 has a sporty design for a rather large CUV. For 2010, a newly-designed grille has much more of that signature Mazda “smile,” which I really love. Somehow, the smiley front grille on all new Mazdas have both a menacing and happy feel at the same time.

The long, pointy hood on the 2010 Mazda CX-7 as well as the prominent fender arches, straight side lines and sleek windows gives this CUV a handsome look. The back side is also rather sexy with its big curves, bold bumper, sleek lights and angular window. The CX-7’s Grand Touring model gets even more style with unique front grille, outside mirrors, door handles and rear bumper designs.

2010 Mazda CX-7 Interior

The interior of the 2010 Mazda CX-7 has a sophisticated and sporty design. Plus, the materials used look rather luxe for such an affordable CUV.

In the driver’s cockpit, all is easily accessible and comfortable. The instrument panel is handsome enough. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with built-in audio and cruise controls adds to the overall enjoyment and ease of function.

My road test model had a two-toned black dash atop with ecru-colored plastics below as well as the same tan color throughout the vehicle from the seats to the headline. I’m not sure if this light color would be good for families with active kids, but the contrasting black-and-white tones with chrome accents are certainly appealing.

The dash lacks an infotainment screen although there is a tiny 4.1-inch screen with sharp graphics for audio and an optional navigation system as well as a second digital read out for satellite radio and climate controls. I am rather confused by the tiny screen, but it is better than no screen at all.

The dash’s central design is rather curvy and almost triangular in shape. With its matte black finish and a few chrome accents, I find the design to be truly comforting and highly ergonomic. The central console holds a nice niche for mobile devices, the shift knob, two cupholders and an armrest/storage compartment. Nicely done, Mazda!

Leg room is more than adequate for both driver and passenger although I did not find the cloth seats to be super comfortable. In the rear passenger seat, there is also enough leg room for even tall folks although it would be nice to have a few more inches for long road trips.

The handsome two tone effect continues into the second row seating and I’m surprised by the quality craftsmanship in the door construction with saddle-stitched faux leather, a niche for holding bottled water and large speakers. There’s also a comfortable armrest folds down from the middle seat with two more cup holders.

Cargo space in the back is rather large as Mazda’s CX-7 has lots of head room. Also, the 60/40 split-fold seats fold down almost completely flat for even bigger hauls.

One other cool feature worth mentioning is Mazda’s blind spot monitoring system. When driving more than 20 mph, radar sensors monitor each side of the vehicle. When a vehicle (or other object) enters the “detection” area, a warning light blinks inside the exterior mirrors to alert the driver. While some find these systems annoying, I tend to find any advanced safety system is better than no alert whatsoever.

2010 Mazda CX-7 Performance

As for performance, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 does have Mazda’s signature “zoom zoom” acceleration. All other driving dynamics like handling and braking are also excellent, although I’d like to see a bit more ease in the steering.

My road test iSport model came equipped with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. I found acceleration to certainly be more than adequate when powering over hills, changing lanes in fast-moving freeway traffic and when you just feel like some speed on straightaways.

The aforementioned fuel economy is another reason to buy the 2010 Mazda CX-7. At 28 mpg hwy and 20 mpg city, the zippy 2.5-liter engine on the CX-7’s i SV and i Sport models is amazingly frugal at the pump.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 also comes in a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, which can also be had with either front-wheel or all-wheel drives. This turbocharged engine gets just 23 mpg hwy and 17 mpg city.

2010 Mazda CX-7 Safety

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 features lots of standard advanced safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brakes and lots of air bags. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration awarded the 2010 Mazda CX-7 with its best score of five stars in all crash test ratings. In rollover ratings, the NHTSA gave the 2010 CX-7 four stars.

2010 Mazda CX-7 Trim Levels, Packages & Options

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 comes in four trim levels: i SV, i Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring. The base i SV has the following standard features: air conditioning, cruise control, power doors and windows, manually adjustable driver seat, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.

The i Sport model builds on the standard features from the base i SV trim level and adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, Bluetooth connectivity and tinted rear glass.

The s Touring model comes with the 2.3-liter turbocharged engine, leather upholstery, rear cargo cover, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets, heated front seats and an eight-way power driver seat.

The fully-loaded Grand Touring trim level adds rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, automatic xenon head lights, sun roof, automatic climate control, keyless entry and ignition, a navigation system, rear view camera, leather upholstery, electroluminescent gauges, driver memory seats, a four-way power passenger seat and a Bose audio system with six-CD changer and Sirius satellite radio (with a free six-month subscription).

Several option packages are available to upgrade the lower trim levels with added comfort and technology features.

The 2010 Mazda CX-7 is a versatile CUV for those who like excellent driving dynamics, sophisticated design and highly functional cargo and seating room.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande

Top Cars and Tips for Family Road Trips
By : Sheryll Alexander
Date : 11/09/2009

The holidays are upon us and that means getting ready for family road trips. What can you do to make the trip more enjoyable? And, which cars work best for long trips with the kids and pets?

I’m a mother of two talkative daughters, a new car road test reviewer and a road trip lover. I’ve traveled thousands of miles with the kids in all kinds of vehicles. So, what cars do I like best for road trips?

See my list of super family-friendly vehicles below as well as great tips for traveling with kids from snacks to technology to cleaning up to keeping teens happy.

The best vehicles for road trips, of course, are minivans. However, if you can’t afford a gas-guzzling minivan, then look to more fuel efficient CUVs or full-sized sedans for family road trips.

My favorite CUVs for families are: Suzuki SX4, Mazda CX-7, Lexus RX 450h, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, Ford Flex, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Murano, Toyota Venza, Subaru Forester, Mitsubishi Outlander and Scion xB.

Fortunately, there are lots of affordable full-sized sedans with lots of great features for families. I have road tested each of these models and find each one to be fantastic for road trips, including Acura TL, Nissan Maxima, Mazda MAZDA6, Audi A4, Ford Fusion, Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI, Lincoln MKS, Mitsubishi Lancer, Saab 9-3, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

What about safety? For safer driving in winter, all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles equipped with electronic stability control (sometimes known as dynamic stability control) are some of the safest vehicles on the road.

All Subaru vehicles come equipped with AWD, but most others car companies offer AWD as an option or standard on more expensive trim levels. Electronic stability control now comes standard or as an option on many new cars, but by 2011, the government is making ESC standard.

Real Tips for Family Road Trips

Portable Tech: The best way to keep kids happy and quiet on long road trips is giving each child their own personal DVD player with headphones. To keep the players working, keep extra batteries on hand or a car adapter for recharging. And, buy each child a new DVD they’ve been wanting for some time.
Satellite Radio: Don’t think it’s worth subscribing to Sirius or XM satellite radio? Think again. The no commercials approach to satellite radio makes it the most peaceful and rewarding in-car experiences of all time. Plus, you can get regional weather and traffic reports. My husband prefers Sirius because it carries 24/7 NFL coverage.
Get Cozy: Do you think bringing pillow, blankets and stuffed animals on road trips is a big hassle? For kids, nothing is better than putting their head down on their own pillow and wrapping their blanket around them for a nice nap in the car. Don’t leave the comforts of home behind!
Play Games: Some families love car bingo. Others like to count out-of-state license plates, play cards or sing songs. For my hyperactive family, I play Drivetime Yoga. This CD uses yoga increases energy and decreases stress with yoga movements for drivers and passengers such as neck releases, shoulder stretches, spinal twists, pelvic tilts and ankle rolls. To purchase, visit, www.DrivetimeYoga.com.
Snacks: Always fill a cooler with healthy drinks and snacks such as spring water, apples, grapes, bananas and low-fat cheese. Healthy bars are a good idea too, but some get squashed rather easily. Try Clif Bar’s Kid Organic Z Bar. These bars are virtually indestructible and can stay in your glove compartment for months. Another good way to get kids interested in healthy foods is to stop at a produce stand and let them pick their own fruit. If you are staying at a hotel, call ahead and request the mini-bar be completely emptied so you can pack the mini-refrigerator full of your healthy food and drinks.
Got Teens? My teenager just loves her iPhone. So, make sure your teen has fully charged her phone before your road trip. Also, buy a car adapter for easy recharging. And don’t let them forget headphones!!
Keep Clean: During winter flu season, it’s best to carry lots of sanitary hand wipe packets in the glove compartment and in your purse. That way, you can wipe the kids clean quickly and easily as well as kill germs.
Stop A Lot: Are your kids restless on road trips? Before you go, research your trip’s half way point and find a great public park on Mapquest or Yahoo maps. If you bring a football, soccer ball or baseball equipment, you’ll be ready for a pick-up game, which will give everyone some exercise and then tire them out for a long nap.
On-the-Go Wireless: Work, play and watch Hulu on the go when you have a wireless card. But does your wireless card really when you are driving? Yes! Although the signal does wane at times, I have found working on my laptop while being a passenger is very rewarding and more than possible.
Hide the Candy: Don’t believe in giving kids candy? When you are really desperate for some quiet time or for the fighting to stop, bring out a few special treats. It will keep them happy and you will have a bargaining tool for the rest of the trip.