When Mazda launched the CX-7 in the UK in 2007, it was only available with a single 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, restricting its appeal to quite a niche group of SUV buyers who would happily trade off economy against power and performance.
One credit crunch and recession later, that niche group may well have become virtually extinct in the sub £30k price bracket, so the CX-7 has now been revised and revamped for the 2010 model year. It still comes with just one power unit - but this time it's a diesel.
A four-cylinder 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel, to be precise - developing 173 PS and more importantly, a whopping 400 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm.
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combined economy of 37.7 mpg is a big improvement over its predecessor |
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And it's that low down grunt that enables the Mazda CX-7 to retain its sporting credentials whilst delivering reduced running costs.
CO2 emissions of 199 g/km equate to a Band J tax disc costing £215 per year (a saving of £190) whilst combined economy of 37.7 mpg is a big improvement over its petrol-powered predecessor.
The 0-62 time of 11.3 seconds doesn't do the car justice - it felt a good deal quicker as I accelerated through the gears of the slick 6-speed manual transmission. The clutch was light, enabling smooth, precise shifts and refined, unruffled progress.
The CX-7's agility belied its bulk and the steering provided sufficient feedback to give me confidence to press on and explore its handling capability, which has been sharpened up by a stiffened body shell and revised dampers.
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