Technical characteristics of the Mazda 7. Mazda CX7 is the outgoing “firstborn” of the Japanese company Mazda. Crossover technical characteristics

A few facts from the biography of this Japanese mid-size crossover: January 2006 - premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, February 2009 - presentation of the updated Mazda CX-7 2010 model year in Toronto (for the North American market), the European premiere of the restyled CX-7 took place at the Geneva Motor Show a month later.

An interesting fact: Europe is geographically closer to Russia, but for us the American premiere of the Mazda CX-7 with a new gasoline engine and drive only on the front axle is more relevant. The European version with the new diesel engine will not officially reach the “Russian Mazda manufacturers”.

The appearance of the CX-7 was adjusted to match the family image of the entire Mazda model line. The V-shaped hood rises beautifully above the boldly flared front fenders, which visually appear to be separate body elements. Narrow headlights fit harmoniously into the aggressive image of the Mazda CX-7. Impressive bumper with a trapezoidal central air duct. Two side air intakes with integrated fog lights and an aerodynamic lip hint at the sporting ambitions of this car.
The front part identifies the crossover with its auto brethren from Hiroshima (Mazda3, Mazda6). The wheel arches, which have grown as if after taking steroids, easily accommodate tires on wheels from R17 to R19 in their space. The side ascending line of window openings tends to merge with the falling roof of the crossover. Solid doors evoke the image of a wave and a feeling of security.

The body of the Mazda CX-7 is light and lean (as befits an SUV) with high-mounted rear marker lights. The rear bumper with reflectors forms a single whole with the rear of the body, and the high-mounted tailgate with a spoiler completes the fast-moving image of the SUV.

The external dimensions of the Japanese mid-size crossover are: length - 4680 mm, width - 1870 mm, height - 1645 mm, wheelbase - 2750 mm, ground clearance - 208 mm.

Sports notes are continued in the interior of the Mazda CX-7. A small, plump steering wheel “from a Mazda3”. Devices in individual wells look beautiful and have excellent information content. The massive center console looks somewhat overloaded with keys and buttons, especially against the backdrop of two small screens located on top of it (a color display and a monochrome one). Conveniently located climate control knobs, electric mirrors, an acceptable range of adjustments for the heated front seats, and an adjustable steering column (for reach and tilt) are designed to help the driver find the optimal position. This is not easy to do, the seats with a sporty profile are installed low and deep into the cabin, and the A-pillar is heavily tilted back. Because of this, the visibility from the pilot's seat is, to put it mildly, insufficient. There are also problems with maneuvering in reverse; the rear view camera does not help the situation, since in more or less difficult road and weather conditions it quickly becomes dirty, and the monitor is located inconveniently.
The second row can comfortably accommodate two passengers, but three will be cramped. The luggage compartment in traveling condition measures only 455 liters, the trunk is narrow and long with a large loading height, folding seats are designed to increase its volume. The quality of the materials used is getting better from year to year, however... the plastics, although textured, are hard and loud.

The initial “Touring” package is equipped quite richly: climate control, central locking, power windows, electric mirrors and heated front seats, trip computer, radio with CD/MP3.

Technical specifications and test drive. The Mazda CX-7 is equipped with two gasoline engines (as often happens, the diesel version is not officially imported to us) 2.3 liter turbo (238 hp) with 6-automatic transmission and 2.5 liter. (163 hp) with 5-automatic transmission.
The proximity of the American premiere promises the imminent appearance of the less expensive front-wheel drive Mazda CX-7 on the Russian market. According to the list of technical characteristics, the all-wheel drive Mazda CX-7 and its younger single-wheel drive sister differ only in different engines, gearboxes and drive type; in other equipment they are “twins”. Independent front and rear suspension, disc brakes with ABC and electronic systems – assistants EBD, EBA, TCS, DSC.
But in reality there is a whole gulf between the machines. The CX-7 with a powerful turbocharged engine demonstrates excellent dynamics (8.3 seconds to “hundred”), the engine has plenty of thrust (torque 350 Nm), handling, cornering, straight line stability - everything is at a high level. In difficult road situations, the rear wheels come to the rescue (they are connected when the front wheels slip). The CX-7 is traditionally valued for its sportiness. Desperate minds remove the electronic speed limiter (181 km/h) and the CX-7 becomes capable of accelerating to speeds of over 200 km/h. The only thing that upsets us is the exorbitant appetite of the Mazda CX-7 in this configuration (in city mode, about 20 liters).
The front-wheel drive Mazda CX-7 with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine is suitable for a leisurely driver, for whom sharp acceleration, high-speed steering and a high maximum speed are far from the first places in evaluating a car. The car clearly lacks engine power and traction (torque is only 205 Nm), acceleration is “sluggish” (10.3 seconds, and it feels even more). Although in slow city traffic everything seems to be fine, but once you get on the highway and... before overtaking, you need to accurately calculate the distance, the pilot presses the accelerator pedal, the automatic switches down several gears and nothing happens. For a crossover weighing more than two tons, the engine is 163 hp. clearly insufficient. This car was created for the Yankees, who, as you know, like to show off, don’t drive fast on highways, and they don’t have sharp turns.
The chassis of this car is tuned “Mazda-style” towards handling; on roads with poor surfaces, all the nuances of the road surface are transmitted to the cabin.

Prices. Single-wheel drive Mazda CX-7 2.5 l. (163 hp) with 5 automatic transmissions in the initial Touring configuration is 1,159,000 rubles. Cost of Mazda CX-7 2.3 l. turbo (238 hp) with 6 automatic transmissions in the Touring configuration starts from 1 million 309 thousand rubles, and the cost of a “packaged” Mazda CX-7 Sport with a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive varies in the range of 1,451,000 ~ 1,510,000 rubles

For 4 years after its release, the car did not change, and a little later a number of design changes were made during restyling. But it did not become as popular as it should; it was overtaken in sales by the company’s other compact class crossover, the CX5, which appeared later. Therefore, the company decided to discontinue this model.

Mazda CX 7 ceased production in 2012.

Although it is not produced now, this is not a reason not to consider this crossover in more detail; nevertheless, it was Mazda’s first.

Main characteristics

Exterior

To create the CX 7, the designers designed a completely new platform. At the same time, to quickly solve design problems, many components of the crossover were borrowed from other Mazda models.

Externally, the designers tried to combine the sporty character inherent in all Mazda models with the universal characteristics of an SUV.

This attempt turned out to be successful - neat, with smooth body lines and practically without a strong transition from the front of the car to the windshield - CX 7 has sporty notes in its design. A smooth transition is also made from the roof to the rear of the crossover.

The front end is rounded to the maximum. At the transition from the bumper to the hood there is a radiator grille. At the same time, it is not significant in size and is covered with a coarse-mesh stylistic mesh. At some distance from the grille, diamond-shaped headlights were placed on the sides, the corners of which were also rounded.

The main place on the bumper is occupied by a rather large air intake, decorated with a chrome strip at the top. The intake itself is covered with the same mesh as the grille. Three-section stylized niches were installed on the sides. The upper section houses foglights, and the other two sections are reserved for additional air intakes. The bottom of the bumper is decorated with a small skirt with a protective overlay.

The side parts of the car are notable except for the wide chrome edging of the side glazing, a small transition step at the bottom, and linings to protect the sills.

The back is quite interesting. There is a smooth transition from the roof to the almost vertical position of the bottom of the rear door. The top of the rear window is decorated with a symbolic spoiler.

The bumper protrudes somewhat, but its corners are quite rounded. An interesting solution was the placement of brake light repeaters. They were installed on a protective cover below the bumper, at the level of the exhaust pipes.

Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the CX 7 is a completely standard mid-size crossover. He has them as follows:

  • length 4700 mm;
  • width 1870 mm;
  • height 1645 mm;
  • wheelbase 2750 mm;
  • ground clearance 205 mm;
  • curb weight 1600 kg;
  • trunk 455 l;
  • tank 62 l.


Interior

The salon now looks somewhat outdated, but also unusual. The instrument panel is presented in the form of three large wells. The central and left ones are reserved for analog sensors, and the right one is for the on-board computer. Moreover, its display is monochrome.

The center console body was installed at a slight angle. At the top of it, under the visor, two small displays were placed. One is for navigation, it is color, the other is for displaying information about the operation of the audio system and climate system, it is monochrome.

Three deflectors were installed under the displays. Next comes a whole scattering of keys that control the climate and audio systems. Only the gearshift lever and the parking brake lever are located on the central tunnel.

Specifications

The CX 7 crossover went on sale with several types of power units and transmissions. The technical characteristics of the power plants are different; the first in the range of power plants in the CX7 was a 2.2-liter turbodiesel with a power rating of 173 hp. The transmission it came with was a 6-speed manual transmission, and the drive was on both axles.

The most common was the 2.3-liter diesel unit. In a car equipped with an automatic 6-speed gearbox, this unit developed 238 hp. Also, the CX 7 came with an engine of the same size, but with a “mechanics”, also 6-speed, but this engine produced 260 hp.

There was also a gasoline unit in the din. It was the largest in volume - 2.5 liters, but its power was only 163 hp, since it was naturally aspirated. This engine also came with a 5-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.

Having a sporty appearance, the Mazda crossover did not have such character. Its speed and dynamic performance were mediocre.

So, the engine volume The 2.2 TD with an automatic transmission accelerated to 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 200 km/h, and its average consumption was 7.5 liters. Another engine - 2.3 TD - with a manual gearbox it accelerated to the first hundred in 8.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 211 km/h and consuming an average of 10.4 liters of fuel. The same engine, but with an automatic transmission, accelerated in 8.3 seconds, its maximum possible speed was 181 km/h, and its average fuel consumption was 11.5 liters. And finally, the gasoline engine with automatic transmission accelerates in 10.3 seconds, its maximum speed is 173 km/h, and fuel consumption is 9.4 liters.


Options and price

Mazda CX7 was delivered to dealers in several configurations. They implied different technical equipment, but there was also a set of equipment that was basic and all cars were equipped with it. This kit included:

  • systems (ABS, TCS, EBD);
  • Cruise control;
  • steering wheel with leather trim and multifunction;
  • heated and adjustable seats (front);
  • audio system;
  • Rain sensor;
  • airbag package.

Although the CX 7 crossover had several power plants and transmissions, it came to us only with certain equipment and configurations.

So, we only had modifications available with a 2.3 liter diesel engine and automatic transmission, as well as with a gasoline unit. Two configurations were offered for them: “Sport” and “Touring”.

The diesel crossover was priced at 1,334 - 1,479 thousand rubles. Petrol was cheaper - 1,184 thousand rubles.

Although the car is not produced, its owners continue to use it. And they note that the CX 7 has excellent handling, fairly responsive engines, and a good consumption rate.

The disadvantages of the CX 7 include the car's insufficient equipment, such as an electric trunk drive, and the lack of additional lighting in some places. They also note that the crossover is poorly prepared in terms of noise insulation.

5 doors crossovers

History of the Mazda CX-7 / Mazda X-7

The European premiere of the new Mazda CX-7 took place at the Paris International Motor Show 2006. Masterfully combining the bright individuality of sports cars with the practicality of SUVs, Mazda engineers created a car that has an attractive appearance, outstanding dynamics and a high level of comfort. The CX-7 is an example of a purely sporty approach to creating a car from the SUV category.

With its extraordinary exterior design, superb interior and breathtaking performance, the Mazda CX-7 is a car that challenges the norm. The model is built on a modernized Mazda6 all-wheel drive platform.

Large, low-mounted air intake helps cool the powerful DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) engine. The radiator grille flows smoothly into the hood, creating continuity of lines. The shape of the front wings of the car is a bit reminiscent of the Mazda RX-8. The windshield sits at a sharp angle and the rear doors are followed by side rear windows that taper sharply at the rear. This combination of a swept-back windshield and side windows that taper at the rear gives the CX-7 a more energetic appearance. By the way, the same rear side windows have a chrome trim, which gives the appearance additional gloss. At the rear of the Mazda CX-7, the sporty style is continued by two large exhaust pipes and large transparent lights.

The main differences of the European version are the new bumper design with integrated fog lights, more elegant than in the American models. As well as turn signal indicators built into the side mirrors.

The car has excellent aerodynamic qualities. The windshield angle of 66 degrees allowed for low air resistance.

In the interior trim of the Mazda CX-7, designers focused on sportiness and quality of individual parts. The steering wheel and gearshift knob are leather-wrapped and specially shaped to fit your hand perfectly. Soft matte upholstery materials are carefully selected in color. The dashboard generally follows the spirit of the latest models - the instruments are located in deep wells, and round dampers are used for ventilation. But there are also innovations: the panel itself has two levels, on one there is an instrument panel, on the second there is a narrow display of the on-board computer.

The front seats have developed lateral support and are clearly separated by a high central tunnel. The rear seats fold flat (60/40) for even more cargo space.

The Mazda CX-7 has excellent visibility, thanks to its high seating position, and is spacious and comfortable. Plenty of storage space. Between the front seats there is a large 5.4-liter glove compartment and two cup holders. Opposite the front passenger is an even larger glove box, locked with a key. There are deep pockets in the front doors, and compartments behind the front seats for storing maps and magazines. The luggage compartment of the Mazda CX-7 can accommodate items up to 100 cm long in normal use, but if you fold the rear seats, you can put things up to 176 cm long.

Under the hood of the Mazda CX-7 is a 2.3-liter MZR 4-cylinder gasoline engine with direct fuel injection, equipped with a turbine and intercooler, the full name of the engine is MSR2.3 DISI Turbo, the donor of this engine was the Mazda Speed ​​Atenza. The maximum power of the car is 244 hp. at a torque of 5000 rpm. The car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.

The smooth ride is supported by a new 6-speed gearbox, which also significantly saves fuel due to precise settings. Versions with automatic transmission are also available.

On the Russian market, the CX-7 will be available in two basic trim levels - Touring and Sport, the standard equipment of which includes climate control, power windows on all doors, cruise control, stabilization system, ABS, brake force distribution and emergency braking assistance, and six airbags. These modifications differ from each other only in the set of equipment - buyers of the Sport version, in addition to the main set, will also receive leather trim, xenon headlights, an advanced Bose audio system and a keyless entry system.

The basic version of the Mazda CX-7 also includes a proprietary all-wheel drive system (Mazda Active Torque Split All-WheelDrive), which prevents wheels from spinning on slippery surfaces and provides excellent traction on normal roads. Using real-time information from numerous sensors, the system continuously monitors the road and differential use. In addition to all-wheel drive, the car has a traction control system (TSC) and a stability control system (DCS) as standard.

The lightweight but rigid body of the Mazda CX-7 is created using energy absorption and distribution technology, which guarantees a safe and dynamic ride. Magnificent 18-inch wheels 235/60, on elegant aluminum rims, allow you to feel all the softness of movement. The interior is equipped with 6 airbags (front and side for the driver and front passenger, side curtains for those sitting in the rear), and seat belts with pretensioner.

In 2009, Mazda restyled and technically updated the CX-7 crossover. The presentation of the updated car for the North American market took place in February 2009 in Toronto. The European premiere took place a month later at the Geneva Motor Show. The dimensions are now: length - 4680 mm, width - 1870 mm, height - 1645 mm, wheelbase - 2750 mm, ground clearance - 208 mm.

The appearance of the car has changed in accordance with the modern style of the brand. The signature “smile”, similar to the one that has already appeared on the “face” of the updated Mazda3 and Mazda6, is now also on the CX-7. The front end received a new pentagon-shaped grille, and the bumper was equipped with new fog lamps. The grille as well as the side sills include new chrome details. The appearance was also improved by changes to the rear spoiler located above the trunk window. The picture is completed by new 18- or 19-inch wheels (depending on the version), with a three-dimensional appearance. The restyled model also has modified rear lighting and an updated interior.

Inside the car, a new, refreshed instrument panel can be found, along with a 4.1-inch LCD display, Bluetooth, a mid-range stereo system and a driver's seat with memory for three owners. The luggage compartment in the stowed state will accommodate 455 liters, the trunk is narrow and long with a large loading height, folding seats are designed to increase its volume. The initial configuration of the Mazda CX-7 Touring is quite richly equipped: climate control, central locking, power windows, electric mirrors and heated front seats, trip computer, radio with CD/MP3.

In America, the CX-7 line has been replenished with an economical new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a power of 161 hp. This engine is suitable for a leisurely driver, for whom sharp acceleration, high-speed steering and a high maximum speed are far from the first places in evaluating a car. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 10.3 seconds. For those who love driving, the 2.3 DISI turbo engine with a power of 238 hp, familiar from the previous version, will be more suitable. The range of power units was also replenished with a 2.2-liter MZR-CD turbodiesel with a power of 170 hp. Only for the European market, the car is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust gas aftertreatment system. With its help, it is possible to reduce the content of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust by 40%. The engine meets the requirements of the Euro 5 environmental standard.

There are also one more gearboxes. In addition to the already familiar six-speed automatic transmission, Mazda added a five-speed automatic transmission. True, a crossover equipped with such a gearbox can only be front-wheel drive and exclusively with a 161-horsepower engine.

The Mazda CX-7 is one of the few models that combines sporty design and driving pleasure with the space and functionality of a true SUV.



An attractive offer from the Japanese auto industry is a crossover called the Mazda CX-7. The production of this version began in 2006, and just 3 years later the car underwent an almost complete transformation. Mazda CX-7 2017 (new model, photo) price from an official dealer is 1,184,000 rubles, and is a prominent representative of the crossover class. This car has acceptable build quality and good equipment. However, it is worth considering the fact that the model was discontinued several years ago and was replaced by . Let's take a closer look at the features of the Mazda CX-7 2017.

Photo of the new car

Exterior

Video from the presentation of the new product

Interior

Options and prices Mazda CX 7 2017 (new model)

Specialists worked on the car in question and tried to combine the advantages of several classes in one model. The result is a car with smooth edges and good equipment. The crossover is available in the following configurations::

  1. Touring- the cheapest offer, which will cost 1,184,000 rubles. This version of the car is equipped with 2.5 liter gasoline and the old design of a 5-speed automatic transmission. All power is transmitted exclusively to the front-wheel drive. As for the additional options, they are not rich: a standard audio system, a conventional climate system, an analog instrument panel, plastic of acceptable quality. For this money, the Japanese automaker also installed cruise control, 7 airbags, fog lights, ABS, and a vehicle road stabilization system.
  2. Touring with 2.3 liter turbocharged engine. By installing an air supercharger, engineers were able to increase the power rating to 238 horsepower. To transmit torque, a 6-speed automatic transmission is installed. Torque is redirected to 2 axles and can be distributed depending on the current situation on the road. As for the systems responsible for traffic safety and comfort, there are relatively few of them. Examples include a more advanced climate control system, heated front seats, and emergency braking assistance.
  3. Sport- the most expensive offer, which will cost 1,479,000 rubles. This car is equipped with the same 6-speed automatic transmission and a turbocharged power unit, the power of which reaches 238 hp. Unlike previous generations, the car is equipped with a multimedia system, as well as an air conditioning system and a rear view camera, which can turn on automatically when the automatic selector is set to position R. The interior was decorated with high-quality leather and good plastic, which are pleasant to the touch. You will definitely be pleased with the large panoramic sunroof, which is present on all expensive cars.

The new Mazda CX 7 2017 technical specifications, photos, price are of interest to many; it has good build quality and equipment for the money.

Specifications

When choosing a Mazda CX-7 (new model), photos of which are given in this article, the operating features of the installed power units should be taken into account:

  • The 2.5-liter engine in the mixed cycle consumes about 9.4 liters per 100 km traveled. At the same time, when driving in the city, consumption increases to 12.4 liters; on the highway, the figure is 7.5 liters.
  • A turbocharged version takes more fuel than a regular one. In the mixed cycle, consumption is 11.5 liters, in urban areas it takes 15.3 liters per 100 km, and when driving on the highway it takes about 9.3 liters of gasoline.

Many are waiting for the start of sales of the Mazda CX 7 2017 in Russia, since the car is quite playful despite its large dimensions. It should be taken into account that the new car will be equipped with modern security systems. An example is the blind spot monitoring system. As practice shows, it works at speeds of more than 55 km/h. This decision is due to the fact that at a lower speed the car can simply enter a turn. The installed sensors can detect obstacles at a distance of about 50 meters. The rear view camera has also been updated; the driver's seat has an electronic control unit and memory.

Body dimensions are as follows:

  • The length is 4700 mm.
  • Height 1645 mm.
  • The width is 1870 mm.

The wheelbase is quite large, 2750 mm, which determines a large amount of free space in the front and rear. But the ground clearance is typical for a car of this class - it was 208 mm. As previously noted, the car in an expensive configuration comes with an all-wheel drive system. At the same time, it operates in automatic mode: as soon as the front axle begins to slip, the rear axle is connected, to which no more than 50% of the traction is supplied. That is why the car can overcome significant obstacles.

Main competitors

The following cars can be called competitors of the Japanese automaker:

  1. Hyundai ix35.

Of course, in terms of price they cannot compete with the CX-7, but all these models are in the same class.

Let's sum it up

The crossover is very practical to use and at the same time has good equipment. That is why many people, when looking for an inexpensive car with good equipment, pay attention to the CX7. Its advantages include the following points:

  • Good quality of panels and materials used in the manufacture of seats.
  • Low price with modern equipment. The car is equipped with several safety systems that allow you to highly effectively control the position of the crossover in its lane.
  • The installed motors have sufficiently high power, which allows you to drive the car with the greatest comfort.

However, there are also several significant disadvantages:

  • Only one gearbox to choose from.
  • There are only two engines, both petrol.
  • The car does not reach business class.

Photo Mazda CX-7













Even ten years after the start of production, the Mazda CX-7 has not lost its visual appeal. And given the low cost, many may think about replacing the sedan with a crossover with a sporty twist. But there are a couple of pitfalls you need to know before purchasing. Perhaps the low price of the Mazda CX-7 was not in vain? Below in the article you will get the answer to this question.

A little history

In 2007, the CX-7 model made a splash. The first crossover from Mazda with a bright design and a powerful engine sold very successfully. To save on taxes, many cars were imported from America (they started selling the CX-7 there in 2006). They differ from European ones:

  • speedometer in miles;
  • there are no turn signals in the side mirrors;
  • richer configurations with a monitor and rear view camera.

The excitement noticeably died down after the first two years of sales due to fairly frequent warranty cases. The main complaints and problems concerned the engine and turbine. At the end of 2009, the manufacturer released a restyled model, in which most of the “jambs” were eliminated and several cosmetic changes were added. In addition, there is a choice of engines. In addition to the only pre-restyling 2.3-liter petrol engine with a turbine, a regular naturally aspirated 2.5 liter and even a 2.2-liter turbodiesel appeared.

Unfortunately, the reputation was already damaged and it was not possible to renew the interest of buyers. Therefore, in 2012, the Mazda CX-7 was replaced by the CX-5 model, which is more understandable to the general public.

The closest competitors in terms of “spirit” and price are Subaru Tribeca, Nissan Murano and.

Body and equipment

By the age of ten, there are still no frankly rotten Mazda CX-7s, but there are pockets in places of chips or other damage. If the car has not yet been treated with anticorrosive, then you should definitely do this, especially the bottom and lower part of the doors. The hood and front fenders can be protected with a special armored film. The anti-corrosion resistance of metal and the quality of paintwork on Japanese cars are traditionally at an average level.

But the Mazda CX-7’s equipment is fine. The base already has climate control and 6 airbags. And leather interior and high-quality BOSE music are found in 9 out of 10 cars. Before restyling, a monitor with a touchscreen and a rear view camera was installed only on cars for the American market. After 2009, the CX-7 was also enriched with premium Bose Surround Sound music, automatically folding mirrors and the LCA blind spot monitoring system.

Mazda CX-7 engines

There are practically no options, the only one is the petrol 2.3 Turbo (238/260 hp). Timid attempts to add a sluggish naturally aspirated 2.5 liter petrol to the range. (163 hp) were not successful. And the 173-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodiesel can be classified as exotic. It is very difficult to find a Mazda CX-7 with the last two engines on the secondary market.

Therefore, we will talk about the famous turbocharged 2.3 liter, which was borrowed from the Mazda 6 MPS. The engine runs well even taking into account the weight of the crossover. But there was a problem with reliability. Areas of high concern:

  1. Turbine - according to reviews from Mazda CX-7 owners, it “dies” suddenly and often. But in fact, most often this is preceded by improper operation of the turbocharged engine and poor quality maintenance.
  2. Timing chain - can stretch over 50,000 miles.
  3. VVT-i coupling. The first sign is a crackling sound when the engine starts, in the later stages - a diesel sound of the engine. If you ignore this problem, then an expensive overhaul is guaranteed.

Before purchasing, be sure to listen to the engine in a quiet place. It should run smoothly and without any metallic sounds. White smoke from the exhaust pipe at idle means the imminent “death” of the turbine.

It is preferable to choose a used CX-7 with a turbo timer. This at least means that the previous owner thought about the proper operation of the car. If you bought a Mazda CX-7 and don’t know whether the oil supply pipe to the turbine was changed, then be sure to change it. It is not so expensive, but it can protect against premature failure of the turbine. When using low-quality oil or changing it rarely (less than once every 10,000 km), the tube becomes coked and then “suddenly” occurs from the first point in the list of problem areas.

For a 2.3 engine, the engine oil consumption rate is up to 1 liter per 10,000 km. But, unfortunately, you will find out the real consumption only after purchase. According to reviews from Mazda CX-7 owners, sudden oil losses are possible without the sensor triggering. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly (at least once a week) manually check the required oil level in the engine.

Paired with an automatic transmission, the engine is derated to 238 hp, with a manual transmission - all 260 hp. But mechanics are rare, and more often paired with a 2.5-liter post-restyling naturally aspirated engine. There are rumors about tuning up to 270-290 hp, but the question arises - will the automatic transmission withstand such a load?

Fuel economy

The CX-7 has an excellent appetite - rarely does anyone manage to meet 16 liters in the city in quiet mode. On the highway, too, less than 10-12 liters will not work. Therefore, it is logical that many owners began to convert their cars to gas. LPG for Mazda CX-7 is not cheap - from $1000. Most often this is BRC or Zavolli; cheaper equipment “refuses” to work correctly due to the characteristics of the model’s fuel injection (direct injection).

With high-quality installation, owners do not note any problems with the operation of the Mazda CX-7 with LPG. Saving money on fuel is around 30-40%. The minimum gas consumption in the city is 15 liters of gas and 2-3 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers. Gasoline is used to cool the fuel injectors.

Gearbox and all-wheel drive

You don’t have to think long about choosing the type of gearbox for the Mazda CX-7. There are only three possible options:

  1. Rare six-speed manual;
  2. The Japanese Aisin six-speed automatic is fitted to the vast majority of CX-7s;
  3. After restyling, a five-speed automatic transmission was installed in tandem with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter engine.

All boxes are very reliable, but with mileages of more than 200,000 km, natural wear has not been canceled. Before purchasing, be sure to check the condition of the oil on the dipstick. Black color and a “burnt” smell are a reason to refuse the car or significantly reduce the price. There should also be no shocks when switching. In good condition, the automatic transmission shifts smoothly and imperceptibly.

According to the official Mazda maintenance regulations, automatic transmission oil changes are not provided. But to significantly extend the “life” of an automatic transmission, it is recommended to perform a partial oil change every 60,000 mileage. Just be careful when choosing the type of oil. There are frequent cases when even official dealers filled in the “wrong” oil in a Mazda M-V or Mercon 5 (suitable for a five-speed transmission). Aisin six-speed automatic transmission requires JWS3309 approval. Toyota T-IV oil is optimal in price and availability.

The weak point of the all-wheel drive system of the Mazda CX-7 is both gearboxes. The problem, however, is not global, but requires constant attention. They leak constantly, especially the front one. Replacing the oil seals helps for a short time (30-40,000 km). If, when replacing oil seals, you coat all the joints of the two halves of the gearbox with sealant, you can extend this period twice as much. But with reliability, everything is in order; they fail only when there is a significant leak of transmission oil. After restyling, the leakage problem was eliminated.

During normal driving, the Mazda CX-7 is front-wheel drive, only when slipping is the rear wheel drive connected using a clutch. Cross-country ability is at a decent level, but without fanaticism. In winter, high ground clearance and all-wheel drive add confidence on the road. When overheated, the clutch automatically disengages. All CX-7s with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine were only front-wheel drive. Without all-wheel drive, there are also 2.3 turbos, only from the American market.

Mazda CX-7 suspension

The chassis can withstand our roads quite well, but it does so harshly. After restyling, Mazda engineers retuned the suspension and it became noticeably more comfortable. The relative ride stiffness and excellent handling match the sporty spirit of the CX-7.

The ball joint of the lower arm of the front suspension “dies” before the silent blocks, and it can only be replaced as an assembly. “Kulibins” know how to repress it, so there is a loophole in the direction of saving. Rear wheel bearings are almost in the category of consumables; they rarely last more than 60,000 miles. But the shock absorbers serve regularly for 100-150,000 km.

The front shock absorber supports produce extraneous sounds - squeaks and rattles. Moreover, replacing with new ones solves the problem for a short time. Craftsmen have learned to make special plastic spacers. It turns out cheaper than replacement and lasts a long time.

Steering and brakes

Mazda handles clearly and sportily, and this unit usually does not cause problems. Even steering rods and ends are unlikely to have to be changed more than once every 100,000 mileage. The power steering and steering rack serve properly up to 200,000 km, after which restoration may be necessary. The cost for such work is within reasonable limits - $100-200.

The brakes are a little worse. They brake perfectly, no questions asked. But brake discs often suffer from overheating. And you don’t have to drive into a puddle with hot brakes to do this. After restyling, heat dissipation was improved and the problem went away. Therefore, today this is no longer relevant. Unless the previous owner installed cheap analogues. If you feel a beating in the steering wheel when braking, then “knock down” the discount on the purchase of a set of brake discs.

Minor flaws

Foggy headlights are normal for a Mazda CX-7. It is better to eliminate this drawback, otherwise there is a risk of failure of the xenon ignition unit (due to moisture). This can be done using two additional ventilation holes and exhaust pipes. The tubes must have a filter element inside to prevent dirt from getting inside the headlight. Look for detailed instructions on the “Mazdovodov” forums.

Constant heating in rear lights often melts the light bulb sockets. It is better to install LED bulbs in advance to prevent the problem from occurring.

The lambda probe or oxygen sensor is not particularly durable. Signs of failure:

  • craving disappears;
  • abundant white smoke from the exhaust pipe;
  • increased gasoline consumption.

It can only be “cured” by replacement.