Mazda Cx 9 / Mazda Cx 7

CX7 Review

3. NVH - This is something that I am really impressed with the car. The quietness of the engine and cabin is comparable to many high end vehicles. The only thing that I hear most is the noise of the tyre when the car is moving. It is noiser than the engine. I will change to quieter tyres when its time to do so. At the moment, I am ok with the tyre noise.

4. Reverse Camera - This is a new feature on the CX7. The little screen is sufficient to take a look at the back. However, for parking, I still base on my own judgement rather than to depend on the camera.

5. Front and back Parking Sensors - I personally find the sensors a little nuisance especially when you are not parking. Any motorbike that passes you, the sensor will beep. There is no visual indicator for the sensors. Just a single audible source. I normally switch it off when I am driving.

6. Air Con - Frankly, what is really missing is back aircon vents. Passengers behind find the car a little warm when the front feels cold. I would suggest that you put a good tint on the windows to prevent heat from coming into the car. I spent RM 3200.00 on a good tint with security tint and the difference is huge. No more complains of hot air con anymore from my family.

7. Auto Lock Feature - This is something that Mazda cars don't have. I would like to have the car do an autolock when you start to move the car and unlock when you switch off the engine. But, the feature is not available on all Mazda cars. I think I will leave the car original instead of adding the speed sensor autolock. Something which I think I can live with.

8. Fuel Consumption - OK... lets face it... its a 2.3 litre turbo engine. And if you are expecting the car to give you good FC, then this is not the car for you. Its a 69 litre fuel tank. Normally, it cost me RM 120.00 for a full tank when the light comes out. That could take me between 400km - 500km depending how you drive and where you drive. 400+km is normal. The fact that the car is made to give you power, does not give you excellent FC. However, I am ok with the FC as I know higher cc cars do drink more than this.

Good write up.

ZOOM ZOOM...

CX-7 Review

9. Handling - The SUV does handle like a car. The road holding is excellent. High speed corners are impressive for an SUV. The suspension is not as hard as I thought it would be. Its a good family car with power.

10. Back Seats - Personally, I find the back seats a little tight for me. I am 6 feet tall. But, if you are shorter or if you have kids behind, its fine. But since I am driving the car most of the time, there is no issue for me on this.

11. Seat Heaters - This is basically a useless feature that comes with the car. Our climate is hot enough and we don't need heated seats. But since the car is a CBU, I can understand that it comes standard.

12. Smokers - This is the first car that I bought that does not have an ash tray or a cigerette lighter. This is a non-smoking car. But, I don't smoke either. So, thats good for me.

13. BOSE sound system - All my other cars, I've always upgraded the sound system by changing speakers, adding amplifiers, Head units etc. But, this car, I don't need to do that. The sound system with 9 speakers is really good. The bass is sufficient that comes out from the lower 6" front door speakers. The front centre speaker near the MID does make a difference. Listening to Celine Dion sing, is like having her in front. All I can say is that the sound system is impressive.

14. Top Speed - Frankly, I have not tried top speed yet. The fastest I've tried is 180 km/h. There is still room to go faster but I didn't have the space to try...

Bought mine sep-2010.

On top of alankowng reviews

1) Exterior

Same as Alan. Pretty and Sporty SUV.

1.1) NVH

Feels that the A/C is noisy when A/C magnetic clutch engaged.

Alan . do you experience the same issue ?

2) Interior Fixtures

A little bit platicky to my taste for the price. (I paid full price)

Palnning to leather wrap the dash and console.

3) Performance

Good for a SUV. Same engine as Mazda 3 MPS but with smaller Turbo.
The engine has great potential. Some US guys has tune it up to 280+bhp and 400nm torque.

4) Handling

Good for a SUV. Can have some fun when cornering.
Chassis rigid and strong.

I have owned a 1st gen harrier before buying this car.
It was too soft , rolls a lot and chassis is weak.

5) Sound System

Same as Alan. Sounds good enough.

6) Tinting is a must. The front windshield is huge and is 60 degree from vertical.
Sunlight will shine on the entire dash and part of steering wheel.

As Alan mentioned, spent 2400 for 3M Crystalline. It works!!! Worth every penny.
Previously , skeptical about all this expensive film.

7) Fuel Consumption

Well, You have to pay for the power.

8) Top speed.

It has a 180km/h speed limit set by Mazda.
No problem to go beyond that if speed limit is removed.
Sub-sub sway to hit 180km/h.


Overall satisfied.

A very good buy at 244k (including insurance) with 3 yrs 60k km warranty and free service.
A little bit overprice for 264k.

Hey Mikessc,
Great to know another CX7 owner here...

I don't have any problems with the aircon ticking sound...

And, I didn't know that the top speed it limited to 180km/h. However, that is fast enough, although I have hit 225 km/h on my hatchback, the SUV should not be hitting speeds beyond 180 km/h. I've driven the Harrier before and comparing to the CX7, the Harrier 3.0 feels fast and insecure at 140km/h but the CX7 feels planted even at 180km/h.

Must meet up with you one day for TT....

alan,

i have a question on the boot. can a folder wheelchair be stored in the boot of the CX-7?

Frankly., I have not tried it. But, it should not be a problem. The boot is is bigger than my Peugeot 308 GT in which I have put a wheelchair in there before...

I agree with most of your observations Many mpv at the far back cannot seat 6ft tall people.


But please don't go faster. If anything happens, especially with some crazy lorries and reckless motor cyclists!!! The traffic cops are not helping to solve by getting rid of such culprits

The CX-7 is equipt with a speed limiter and its stuck at 180 km/h. Want to go faster also cannot... BTW, Hari Raya coming, sticking to speed limits!!! LOL....

BTW, I also realised that the CX-7 is very wide. Parking is a little tricky as it takes up most of the parking lot leaving very little space between to open doors. Turning Radius is not the best but is sufficient.

I tried the Tiptronic which is incidentally the opposite compared to other TipTronic gearboxes where if you need to increase a gear, you pull down instead of pushing up. This system is similar to the BMW Tip Tronic system, which makes more sense pulling the level backwards while accelerating. So, what do you get with the Tip Tronic compared to Auto?? More power for sure.... the pick up is definitely more punchy and the car just becomes a beast with Tip Tronic...

I liked your review. I tried this suv at C & C and prefer this to the Harrier for driving and handling.