View Full Version : Test drove CX-7 AWD + pics!
dracore
05-20-2006, 09:47 PM
I just had a chance to test drive the CX-7 AWD today. What can I say.... it was pretty exciting! The car was very agile and handled twists and turns very well. The brakes were equally as amazing -- even at high speeds and the vehicle came to a stop in a short distance. It was very responsive!
I am currently driving a Mazda 5, and could not help comparing them in terms of the driving experience. The CX-7 felt like a completely different animal than the 5. It handled very well and had this rough / agressive driving feel to it...the kind that makes you want to zoom-zoom! My 5 on the other hand typically feels more graceful, again also responds well to twists and turns, but it does so in a gentle laid-back way than compared to the CX-7.
I also noticed that during steering, the steering wheel on the Mazda3/5 turns smoothly and with ease. The CX-7 is a little bit more stiff.
During acceleration, you can hear the CX-7 engine roar. More like a low roar than compared to an Infiniti's howl. The highway test drive was not very quiet. There might have been a number of things contributing to this: 1. Today was a little bit windy, 2. Tires were not quiet, 3. Enjoyed pressing that gas pedal
Interior-wise, I think it's just fine. Leather seats and all, felt like standard Mazda quality. The only thing I did not like was the controls on the steering wheel. Unlike the Mazda3/5, it had little switches surrounded by a black rectangular plastic shell. In my opinion, it looks really cheap when they do that -- not sure why they couldn't just stick with the same style on Mazda3/5.
Have to admit though... the CX-7 feels a little bit small. I guess that I'm just too used to my 5 (seats 6)! :)
The CX-7 really is quite amazing and definitely a head turner. I think some guy in an X3 was following me for a bit....
And what better way to end this post with pictures! It is black cherry mica..looks a little bit darker than it should be.
BTW, also included a picture with a front comparison between my Mazda 5 and the CX-7. You can surely see that agressive, muscular stance :) I like it!
http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/8419/s17he.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9066/s24mm.jpg
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/4361/s35il.jpg
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http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/693/s69ea.jpg
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/7025/i13wh.jpg
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/9498/i23tc.jpg
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/7457/i32rw.jpg
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http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9472/e12uu.jpg
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/8782/e24ot.jpg
ghettobubba2001
05-20-2006, 09:51 PM
very cool.
jeremyfl
05-20-2006, 10:16 PM
Wow I am digging that car/suv whatever you wanna call it. Kinda reminds me of a cayenne (not sure how you spell it).
How much do they go for???
cx7rocks
05-20-2006, 10:38 PM
Thanks for the review and great pictures!
I'm test-driving one tomorrow...can't wait :)
Looking at your pics that cx-7 had goodyears on it?
Great pics Thaink You!
dracore
05-21-2006, 03:01 AM
Yup it had Goodyears on them. You have good eyes :)
As reported in another post, the Goodyears could have been the source of some of the noise during the test drive.
mr. roboto
05-22-2006, 12:28 AM
Great pix! The black cherry mica looks really dark (as mentioned)....does it look brighter in the sun? thanks for the post!
Kansei
05-22-2006, 01:05 AM
Very nice pics. I'm really warming up to the rear design. The interior is tits, as is the front end.
dracore
05-22-2006, 03:17 AM
Great pix! The black cherry mica looks really dark (as mentioned)....does it look brighter in the sun? thanks for the post!
Yup it is definitely brighter in the sun. It's sort of a dark purplish/red colour.. but definitely not black. Very nice colour!
Yup it is definitely brighter in the sun. It's sort of a dark purplish/red colour.. but definitely not black. Very nice colour!
Hello, you say there is significant wind noise? This is a major complaint of mine with my 2002 Tribute, which I understand Mazda(Ford} improved in the 2004 model year. Can't understand why the engineers can't get this right with new model year cars. CX-7 looks awesome, though.
marshall-BJ-VE
05-22-2006, 10:44 AM
CX-7 it's big news to mazda and crossover market in US... in fact I love looks compared with murano's design who still is attractive but I guess CX-7 it's a better choice.... hope I can see it right there soon...
nice interiors... maybe with a nice bigger wheels will look awesome...
stangmatt66
05-22-2006, 12:50 PM
Finally, Pics of Black Cherry Mica! HOT COLOR!
Too bad the CX-7 is loud on the freeway, that might be a deal breaker for me.
vindication
05-22-2006, 12:54 PM
thing is too small on the inside.
dracore
05-22-2006, 01:06 PM
Hello, you say there is significant wind noise? This is a major complaint of mine with my 2002 Tribute, which I understand Mazda(Ford} improved in the 2004 model year. Can't understand why the engineers can't get this right with new model year cars. CX-7 looks awesome, though.
There was definitely moderate wind noise but on that day, it was a very windy to begin with. Driving on the freeway only made it sound worse. On regular roads, there was very little. The model I drove also came with sunroof option so that might have also added to the noise.
dracore
05-22-2006, 01:15 PM
Finally, Pics of Black Cherry Mica! HOT COLOR!
Too bad the CX-7 is loud on the freeway, that might be a deal breaker for me.
I would recommend that you give it a demo to try it out yourself on the freeway. It might have been just that particular day that didn't make it a quiet run and perhaps on other days, it might be much better. IMHO it is a fine car and drives great. I'd be interested in hearing reviews from other test drivers too!
lilarry
05-22-2006, 01:48 PM
I would recommend that you give it a demo to try it out yourself on the freeway. It might have been just that particular day that didn't make it a quiet run and perhaps on other days, it might be much better. IMHO it is a fine car and drives great. I'd be interested in hearing reviews from other test drivers too!
Every review I've read mentions highway road noise. It is an issue. I'm wondering if better tires might ease the problem.
BTW, our 6 also transmits road noise - especially on concrete pavement.
Antoine
05-22-2006, 08:11 PM
To the point...Good review and great pics! :D
I can already tell if you buy a CX-7...You better get use to random people asking you...Is that a CAYENNE!?!?...despite the Mazda logo and badge...;)
The CX-7 looks great from the factory...Even the stance is "zoom zoom" but I would be really interested to see how it looked with a more aggressive lowered stance and aftermarket rims...I wouldn't be surprised if this crossover becomes a popular choice for tuners and audio shops to show of their goods!
misbehave
05-22-2006, 08:28 PM
The car looks excellent, but the huge A$$ badges on both front and rear are fugly.
clicknext
05-22-2006, 10:37 PM
Very, very cool stuff! Thanks for the impressions and pics. :)
Every review I've read mentions highway road noise. It is an issue. I'm wondering if better tires might ease the problem.
BTW, our 6 also transmits road noise - especially on concrete pavement.
Engineers should road test for wind noise with the stock tires, and correct if necessary. Anyway, most SUVs come with tires which are geared more toward hiway use rather than off-road, and therefore, should be quieter. I'll wait a couple years til the 'bugs' are all out.
What year is your 6? Think I read the same thing for the early model years for that car too...road noise that is, which I heard(but only from forums) was corrected in the last couple years also.
ZoomZoomH
05-23-2006, 12:10 PM
wow, thanks for the side-by-side comparison shot of the 5 and the cx7, i didn't realize the cx7 is that small!
lilarry
05-23-2006, 07:24 PM
What year is your 6? Think I read the same thing for the early model years for that car too...road noise that is, which I heard(but only from forums) was corrected in the last couple years also.
Yes, we have one of the early ones - 2003. I didn't know the road noise issue was addressed in newer models. I'll have to check it out. Been thinking about trading ours in for a newer one anyway. It is a great car!
Yes, we have one of the early ones - 2003. I didn't know the road noise issue was addressed in newer models. I'll have to check it out. Been thinking about trading ours in for a newer one anyway. It is a great car!
lilarry, if you test drive a new one, post your thoughts on the hiway noise as compared to your 2003, I too will be looking at a 2006 or 07 m6
P5w3kids
06-05-2006, 05:32 PM
I test drove a Grand Touring today. Didn't mind the wind/road noise on the highway, but the stretch of highway in question was smooth and I went only one way. Might have been with the wind.
The GT has the Goodyears. The others, at least at this dealer, had Bridgestone Turanza EL42s.
The Goodyears scream way too easily. Assuming they're the better tire, I'd hate to sample the Bridgestones.
sandspeed
06-05-2006, 05:47 PM
i test drove a pearl white CX-7 the other day. All i can say id if I had the money I would buy one and also keep the msp but, thats not happening. Oh well, the CX-7 drives like a car and has real nice power delivery. I can't wait for the MS3 to arrive because it will probably be better than the MS6 imo.
P5w3kids
06-05-2006, 06:12 PM
i test drove a pearl white CX-7 the other day. All i can say id if I had the money I would buy one and also keep the msp but, thats not happening. Oh well, the CX-7 drives like a car and has real nice power delivery. I can't wait for the MS3 to arrive because it will probably be better than the MS6 imo.
On what sort of roads were you able to test drive the car? Were you able to really push it through some curves?
Glowspeedp5
06-05-2006, 06:16 PM
I like the infinite the best.........
sandspeed
06-05-2006, 09:04 PM
On what sort of roads were you able to test drive the car? Were you able to really push it through some curves?
well, i drove it on flat roads because there really aren't anything else than those in florida but, i was able to take some turns quickly around town. I noticed that the steering feel is nice a stiff at lower speeds and slightly less at higher speeds. The CX-7 is quick for a small suv for sure but, has some lag here and there. Overall, the car is sporty and really isn't that big which i thought was cool too.
G-Papi
06-25-2006, 10:51 PM
Great review. That color is awesome!
On mine, closing the sun shade on the sunroof greatly reduces road noise.
This was especially true when I was in a rain shower with large drops. At first I thought it was hailing, or that I was in a house with a tin roof.
azms6
06-26-2006, 12:41 AM
We traded from a Mz5 to the CX-7 and I definitely notice an improvement in 1) wind noise suppression 2) tire noise and 3) engine noise at highway speeds.
The 5 had a moonroof and initially thought it was a contributing factor to the high wind noise, but the CX-7 is much, much quieter.
BTW, our CX-7 has the Bridgestones
Kooldino
06-26-2006, 01:03 AM
Looks nice, glad to hear it's good so far.
cruzdreamer
06-26-2006, 09:39 AM
Thanks for sharing as I am considering the 5 and CX7...love them both....both would suit my needs. I thought the CX7 was a blast to drive but the 5 was very good in a different way. Two different vehicles for sure. I think price and gas mileage will be the deciding factors. Thanks for the pics! Need more photo's of the CX7!
trees
06-26-2006, 11:56 AM
I just drove the cx7 when i went to get my 3s oil changed. The sales man gave me the keys and told me to be back in like 20 min.Very nice SUV,I love test drives when i am alone.First thing i noticed was the A/C is a lot colder then my 3s.I got to push it through some curves and got it up to about 90mph on the highway. lots of fun it handles very close to a car.I did notice that a couple times in "manual mode" it did not go into 1st when i stopped it at a stop sign, it just stayed in 2nd(huh).I also think this thing could use a manual tranny. Nice suv i will tell my girl friend to test one out.
Maxx Mazda
06-26-2006, 12:08 PM
Looks like a giant egg... That front emblem is frckin' HUGE!!!
yes, this new fad of huge emblem's is not something I like vey much
misbehave
06-26-2006, 04:08 PM
I just drove the cx7 when i went to get my 3s oil changed. The sales man gave me the keys and told me to be back in like 20 min.Very nice SUV,I love test drives when i am alone.First thing i noticed was the A/C is a lot colder then my 3s.I got to push it through some curves and got it up to about 90mph on the highway. lots of fun it handles very close to a car.I did notice that a couple times in "manual mode" it did not go into 1st when i stopped it at a stop sign, it just stayed in 2nd(huh).I also think this thing could use a manual tranny. Nice suv i will tell my girl friend to test one out.
If you have the A/C on, it won't go to the 1st as easy as without the A/C on.
Next time try it without the A/C on.
trees
06-26-2006, 04:48 PM
A/C wasnt on when it did this. plus this thing is a automatic.
G-Papi
06-26-2006, 06:12 PM
My experience is that a slow roll to a stop will cause the second gear start. Could it be that it's programmed to save turbo usage at such a slow speed as achieved in first gear?
It can, however be tapped down into first for the start if you want to burn more gas.
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