Room to Zoom
2008 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring
2008 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring
Mazda has been all about the ”zoom zoom” in recent years and, for the most part, has backed it up with some nicely styled – and more importantly, nicely tuned – cars that turn heads as well as corners.
Introduced in 2007, Mazda’s CX-7 was one of the more appealing of the still-growing ”crossover” class: vehicles that aim to combine the best aspects of sedans and SUVs into a more reasonably sized package.
Given the recent turn against SUVs and gas guzzlers in general – though with gas prices falling once again, where the next turn may be is unclear – crossovers gained some additional appeal because they offered many of the interior space benefits of the larger, truck-based SUVs without the insatiable thirst at the pump.
While you wouldn’t describe the CX-7’s interior as cavernous, it’s certainly roomy, and easily fits five adults. The contrasting black-and-tan trim on the higher end Grand Touring version makes for a particularly pleasing touch, adding a racy feel to a car that aims for the ”zoom.”
And as a driving experience, the CX-7 aims well. It handles tightly and, while not as nimble as smaller and lower-slung cars, it’s not difficult to maneuver through the challenges of daily driving: traffic, parking lots and more traffic. That’s a contrast to its larger sibling, the CX-9, which shares much of the styling but is a bit more ungainly.
MSRP: $28,400 based; $34,375 as tested
Gas mileage: 16 city/22 highway
Highlights: Nifty crossover styling and well-appointed interior make the CX-7 an entertaining drive.
Lowlights: Gas mileage numbers aren’t the worst – but they’re far from best, even for all-wheel drive
One thing that’s similar between the CX-7 and the CX-9 is the gas mileage: at 16 city and 22 highway, the CX-7 with all-wheel drive only outperfomrs the larger model by one mile per gallon. You can opt for the front-wheel drive instead to squeeze out a 17/22 mpg rating, if the four-wheel option isn’t a dealbreaker for you.
But with prices starting at $28,000, the math may work in your favor – it’s your call how much ”zoom zoom” your wallet will spare.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
