Road TestCar reviews - Mazda - CX-7 - Diesel Sports 5-dr wagonMazda modelsOverviewMazda has injected mojo into the compact SUV class with its CX-7, now with diesel22 Oct 2009 FOR many Australian compact SUV buyers, the only thing stopping the original Mazda CX-7 from being their next purchase was its considerable thirst for premium-unleaded petrol, yet many others took the plunge because no rival could match the sheer allure of this striking turbocharged crossover. For the Series II facelift, the Japanese company has addressed concerns over affordability and fuel economy with the arrival of a gutsy yet frugal 2.2-litre direct-injection turbo-diesel model, as well as a more affordable front-drive non-turbo 2.5-litre version. Here we test the diesel, and declare it a top choice despite the lack of an automatic gearbox. Model release date: 1 October 2009 to 1 January 2012 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelMAZDA could not have designed a more radical replacement for its dowdy Tribute compact SUV. Based on a variation of the acclaimed Mazda6 platform, the CX-7 arrived with a potent 175kW/350Nm 2.3-litre DISI direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, driving all four wheels (via a part-time AWD system) via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Well endowed, well equipped and well received, the swoopy Mazda soon killed the ageing Tribute, and helped cement the company as a provider of interesting mass-market vehicles. Only a considerable thirst for premium unleaded petrol kept the Series 1 model from greatness. Two highly equipped models were offered. |
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