2008 Mazda CX-7 Exterior Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 52 CX-7 reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
The CX-7's bold, sporty exterior styling makes it one of the better looking SUVs in the class. USA Today calls the CX-7 "gorgeous," and U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman says it's "sleek and stylin.'"
Kelley Blue Book says, "The CX-7 is not your father's chunky SUV. With a windshield fixed at a sleek 66-degree angle, front wheels pushed far forward and an RX-8-inspired hood and front fenders, the CX-7 looks almost as though it was built to race rather than commute."
The Los Angeles Times describes it as a "leggy and athletic crossover with something of the sleekness of a sport wagon by Alfa Romeo." Edmunds calls the exterior "attention-grabbing," with "edgy, almost sexy styling" and New Car Test Drive simply calls the look "unmistakable."
Standout exterior features include bulging rear wheel arches, frosted glass taillights, a roof spoiler, dual exhaust pipes, a two-tier grille, and 18-inch alloy wheels. These elements prompt the Sacramento Bee to suggest that "it looks as if it belongs in the company of more expensive SUVs, such as the [Lexus RX] or the Infiniti FX35."
Reviewers particularly rave about the windshield, which tilts at an "eye-popping" 66-degree angle, which is "sharper than most sports cars," according to the Detroit News. Not only is the windshield sporty looking, but it's aerodynamic -- a quality that the Washington Times notes is "rarely associated with tall and blunt sport utility vehicles." MSN says the windshield gives the CX-7 "the steepest rake in its class." Along with the swooping roofline, the windshield gives the CX-7 a drag coefficient (DC) of 0.34. A lower drag coefficient can help a car achieve higher speeds. A typical car achieves a DC of 0.30 to 0.35, whereas an SUV usually achieves a higher DC of 0.35 to 0.45.
However, while reviewers highly praise the front styling, some feel the rear is a bit boring by comparison. New Car Test Drive says, "The rear aspect is somewhat plain, with a modest spoiler sitting atop the backlight, itself resting in a gentle dip in the liftgate. A rather large, seamless bumper stretches the width of the back end, above a widespread pair of exhaust tips, this last a feature that's beginning to wear." A few reviewers also feel some of the styling elements are over the top. The Kansas City Star finds the fender bulges "a bit too much like Popeye."
Nonetheless, finding the styling "fresh," Automotive Trends writes, "It is invigorating to see a Ford subsidiary willing to put itself on the line with styling." The reviewer sums up the CX-7's distinctive exterior: "The styling has more in common with a science fiction novel than a car. ... The whole thing just has a kind of 'Beam me up, Scotty' look to it. I mean, the first time I grabbed the door handle I expected to hear the airlock release."
Exterior Trims
The CX-7 comes in three trims -- Sport, Touring and Grand Touring -- which have very similar exterior appearances. However, the Grand Touring adds a few touches, including chrome door handles, High Intensity Discharge Xenon headlamps, fog lamps, auto on/off headlights, and heated side-view mirrors.
