[edit] 2008 Mazda CX-7 | New Mazda CX-7

[edit] MSRP: $23,750.00 - $28,000.00
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[edit] 2008 Mazda CX-7 Overview

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 is a four-door, five-passenger crossover SUV with three trim levels (Sport, Touring and Grand Touring) and is available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It fits in Mazda’s SUV lineup between the Ford Escape-based Mazda Tribute and the 2008 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Mazda CX-9. The CX-7 went into production in the 2007 model year. Base MSRP for the CX-7 starts at $24,385. Main competition for the CX-7 includes the Nissan Murano, Saturn VUE, Ford Edge, Hyundai Veracruz and Chevrolet Equinox.

[edit] 2008 Mazda CX-7 Exterior

The CX-7 heavily exudes Mazda’s zoom-zoom spirit from its flared front fenders to the bulging rear wheel arches. Up front, the oversized and distinctive Mazda emblem is nestled comfortably above the gaping, blacked out grille and flanked by the flush-mounted, Xenon headlights. From the back, the jeweled rear taillights with the frosted turn signals inserts are attention grabbing, while the large dual exhaust outlets give an indication to the CX-7’s performance capabilities.

The CX-7 is available in a broad range of colors using some that accentuate the sporty design while some of the others can be used to tone down the curves for those not wanting to stand out as much. The colors available selection available for the 2008 CX-7 include Electric Blue, Crystal White Pearl, True Silver Metallic, Black Cherry Mica, Brilliant Black Clearcoat, Galaxy Gray, Icy Blue, Liquid Platinum Metallic and Copper Red Mica. Visit the 2008 Mazda CX-7 Color Viewer to see the different color choices applied to the vehicle. With an overall length of 184.0 inches and a wheelbase of 108.3, the CX-7 is one of the smallest vehicles among its competitors, but the short overhangs and high ground clearance make the CX-7 appear much bigger than it actually is. The curb weight for the front-wheel drive model is 3,710 pound, and with all-wheel drive, the weight increases to 3,929 pounds. Bridgestone Turanza all-season tires are mounted on the stylish 18-inch alloy wheels.

[edit] 2008 Mazda CX-7 Interior

The dimensions of the CX-7’s unique exterior prove to be both a blessing and a curse to certain aspects of the interior. While the bulged rear haunches provide pleasing aesthetics and a sporty stance, the decreased window surface makes for a fairly large blind spot. Optimal comfort is achieved by maintaining plenty of individual space; front passengers are afforded 39.7 inches of headroom and 41.7 inches of legroom, while rear passengers get 39.3 inches for their heads and 36.4 inches for their legs.

From the driver’s seat, the most noticeable aspect is the unique dash layout. The instrument gauges are mounted in three large pods and use a orange electroluminescent lighting. The information readout for the HVAC and radio is located high above the center stack to keep the driver’s eyes from straying too far from a safe line of sight. In addition to being easy to see, all gauges are use as well since they are all within the driver’s immediate reach.

What good would a fun-to-drive crossover be if it didn’t offer necessary space to pack it full of cargo for a weekend trip? With the comfortable seating for five passengers, the CX-7 offers 29.9 cubic feet of cargo volume. If more room is needed, the 60/40 split folding seat folds down at just the touch of a button to increase cargo volume to 58.6 cubic feet. With release levers in the cargo area and along the front edge of the seatback, making the rear seat disappear is a quick and easy task.

[edit] Powertrain & Towing

All CX-7 models use a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 244 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A six speed-automatic transmission with a manual sport shift mode is used to smoothly and efficiently . Mazda’s optional Active Torque Split All-Wheel Drive System can distribute torque from 100 percent to the front wheels to a 50/50 split between front and rear wheels. Standard towing capacity is limited to 2,000 pounds.

[edit] 2008 Mazda CX-7 Safety Features

The 2008 Mazda CX-7 earned a five-star rating in frontal- and side-impact protection and four stars in rollover protection by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Mazda CX-7 comes with the following standard safety features:

[edit] Standard safety equipment includes: