Mazda CX-7 Road Test

Mazda CX-7

Inside, there is plenty of space for five adults to travel in comfort and, as part of the single European specification, the seats are covered in either black or stone-coloured leather. The front seats are wide but supportive and the driver benefits from a powered, 6-way adjustable seat with manual lumbar support to go with the rake-adjustable steering column.

The front seats are also heated as part of the standard spec., which includes 18-inch alloys, climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, electric windows, front and rear and a bespoke BOSE, premium, surround-sound audio system with an in-dash 6-cd auto changer and nine speakers. There’s more; automatic Xenon headlights with washers, rain-sensing wipers and electric, heated door mirrors.

The shiny, piano black face of the centre console adds a ‘classy’ feel, as do the audio and comfort control dials that wouldn’t look out of place on a hi-Tec HiFi. The centre console is part of the lower layer and just above is an information display set into a thin strip that runs the full length of the dash with a slight hood, formed by the upper tier. The result is plain, simple and stylish.

Just as the chrome surround of the centre console curves into the base of the upper dash, so does the high-level central tunnel console, which flows under the centre stack forming a cubby and is just one of the many storage solutions.

The comfy rear seats have a 60:40 split and fold easily at the press of just one button, to extend the flat load platform and increasing the capacity from 455- to 774-litres. The main boot floor is reversible with carpet on one side and a durable plastic on the other, which is great for transporting muddy boots etc.

Mazda tells us that the typical CX-7 customer is likely to be a male professional aged between 35 and 55. The car’s Zoom-zoom, performance, agility and attitude suggests an energetic lifestyle but this sporty all-rounder shouldn’t be pigeon-holed at all.

Mazda CX-7