The Wheel Deal

Killer Crossover

It’s baffling how whenever the top car makers are named, Mazda rarely cracks anyone’s list. But we bet if pollsters were to get Toyota and Honda’s thoughts, they’d have some kind words for the Japanese brand. The Mazda 626 was popular in the 90s. The Tribute, Miata and Mazda 6 have all seen respectable sales in the 00s. With this ’08 CX-7, the brand is not only posturing for room in the “crossover” fray with the Honda CRV and Nissan Murano; Mazda’s on the verge of taking complete control of it.

Visually, the vehicle is the most perplexing thing your eyes have ever come across on the car lot. From certain angles the ride looks like a souped-up Volvo wagon. From others it reminds you of a Porsche Cayenne. Rounded to no end, the fashionable CX-7 wears its curves better than Tyra Banks. (The CX-9, of course, is even more profoundly round.) Though the cool design doesn’t particularly translate inside, there is some good to be found once the door’s ajar. The layout of the dash is relatively clean, if a bit mild. And though the third-row seating comes off snug, you can miraculously get four adults and three kids in the SUV. Trust us, we tried.

The other good news about the vehicle is that for every inch of sleekness on the outside there’s equal attention placed on under-the-hood details, too. The mostly-memorable ride is due to a number of qualities, none more important than the sports car-like independent suspension and the super-responsive Drivetrain system, delivering near-effortless acceleration. 0-to-60 mph in less than eight seconds ain’t half bad for a midsize SUV.

Nonetheless, critics will probably argue that none of the aforementioned features make the CX-7 exactly off-road friendly. Clark Howard might even wince at the crossover’s marginal fuel efficiency. Truth be told, both may have valid points. But for the weekender who stays on I-20 more than dirt roads, the stylish Mazda CX-7 should park near the top of his wish list.

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