2010 Mazda CX-7 Review
2010 Mazda CX-7 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sporty handling, strong performance from the turbocharged four-cylinder, solid build quality, attention-getting design, excellent safety ratings.
Cons
- Below-average interior utility, turbo engine is thirsty and its power delivery is not as smooth as that of V6 rivals.
What’s new
For 2010, the Mazda CX-7 gets a refresh that brings a new SV trim level, a new base engine, higher fuel economy for the turbocharged engine, a revamped interior and a new face that shows off Mazda's bigger, happier grille.
Edmunds says
Thanks to a sharp design and peppy powertrain, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 brings some much-needed fun to an otherwise practical but mostly bland segment.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 Mazda CX-7 i SV 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$178/mo for CX-7 i SV
CX-7 i SV
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
As the car company that produces such four-wheeled fun as the Mazdaspeed 3, Miata and RX-8, Mazda tries to infuse every vehicle it makes with a sporty personality. Peppy acceleration, precise handling and a feeling that you're confidently connected to the road are hallmarks of the brand. And with the 2010 Mazda CX-7 small crossover SUV, it's no different. With its sleek lines, pumped-up wheel-opening flares and tapered roof line, the CX-7 certainly looks like it belongs to a sports car family.
The CX-7 debuted back in 2007 and this year it receives its first batch of significant updates. For 2010, in addition to updated front and rear styling and some shuffling of the standard and optional features, the CX-7 gets a new "SV" base trim level as well as a new 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that develops 161 horsepower. The turbocharged 244-hp 2.3-liter engine is still available, and this year Mazda raised the turbo engine's fuel economy a bit by making a few engineering tweaks.
Alas, none of these changes address one of the CX-7's more notable drawbacks -- cargo capacity and rear passenger room. Compared to segment leaders like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox, the Mazda simply can't carry as much, and it isn't as comfortable for people sitting in back. But none of these vehicles approaches the Mazda in terms of athleticism.
For something similarly sporty, you might want to check out the Acura RDX, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester XT and VW Tiguan. The turbocharged Acura is more upscale but it's also more expensive. The Outlander offers greater utility, but can't match the Mazda when it comes to styling and build quality. Subaru's Forester is also available with a turbocharged engine, and it edges out the CX-7 when it comes to legroom and cargo capacity, but it's not as sporty as it once was. Volkswagen's Tiguan, meanwhile, has sharp handling but comes up short in terms of power and value.
There is a lot to choose from in the small crossover segment, and the decision process can get overwhelming. But we think the updated 2010 Mazda CX-7 remains a very good choice for those who need the practicality of a five-passenger crossover and want the sporty looks and performance that are the brand's trump cards.
Performance & mpg
The i SV and i Sport models come with a 2.5-liter inline-4 making 161 hp and 161 pound-feet of torque. It's paired to a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. The s Touring and s Grand Touring come with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder boasting 244 hp and 258 lb-ft that's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission (also with manual shift control).
The i SV and i Sport are front-wheel-drive only, while the s Touring and s Grand Touring can be had with either front- or all-wheel drive. In normal driving situations, the AWD system routes 100 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels. If there is a loss of traction, up to 50 percent of the engine's power is sent to the rear wheels.
Despite the fact that a loaded s Grand Touring AWD model weighs in at nearly 2 tons, this CX-7's performance is still relatively brisk -- acceleration from zero to 60 mph takes just 7.7 seconds. Fuel economy estimates from the EPA for the new 2.5-liter engine are 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for a FWD model. This year's turbo CX-7 is a little better than last year at 17/23/19 mpg with AWD, but it's still one of the thirstier small SUVs out there.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags come standard on all trim levels. In crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 did great, garnering a top five-star rating in both front and side collisions. Similarly, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the CX-7 its highest rating of "Good" for both frontal-offset and side-impact crashworthiness. In our own braking testing, the CX-7 s performed excellently for a compact crossover, with fade-free stops from 60 mph in just 113 feet.
Driving
When it comes to handling and braking performance, the 2010 Mazda CX-7 lives up to Mazda's sporty reputation. The steering is nicely weighted, and the effort increases in direct proportion to cornering forces. This crossover SUV feels stable in turns and changes direction quickly. The CX-7 rides a bit firmer than most competitors, but that's a livable trade-off for such performance. The base engine should be merely adequate, while the turbocharged engine is much more spirited. The latter, however, suffers from some turbo lag, which can make the power delivery feel somewhat abrupt to those used to cruising around in V6-powered crossovers.
Interior
The CX-7's sporty styling carries over to the inside, where the edgy yet functional cabin provides a more visually stimulating environment than one might expect from a crossover SUV. A sporty three-spoke steering wheel is reminiscent of the one found in the Miata, while the gauge cluster is similar to the RX-8's. Build quality and ergonomics are both very good, although some might find the location of the radio and climate displays unintuitive, since their locations atop the dash are separated from their respective controls.
Ample hip- and headroom keep CX-7 passengers comfortable, even with all five seats occupied. However, rear legroom doesn't measure up to that of chief competitors -- especially the Forester. There are about 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat. Maximum capacity stands at about 59 cubes -- more than 10 cubes fewer than the class-leading RAV4, Forester and CR-V.
2010 Mazda CX-7 models
The 2010 Mazda CX-7 is a midsize five-passenger crossover SUV available in four trim levels i SV, i Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring.
The well-equipped base i SV trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, a six-way manually adjustable driver seat, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel and a four-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The i Sport adds privacy-tint rear glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearshift knob and Bluetooth connectivity.
The s Touring model adds a turbocharged engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats and a rear cargo cover. The top-of-the-line s Grand Touring features 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, rain-sensing wipers, a sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, automatic climate control, a navigation system, keyless ignition/entry, a rearview camera, electroluminescent gauges, distinct leather upholstery, driver seat memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a four-way power passenger seat and an upgraded Bose audio system with satellite radio and a six-CD changer.
Many of the upper trims' features can be had on the lower trims via several option packages.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#20 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mazda CX-7 from 2008-2022.$392/yr
vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.48x/yr
vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).15%
vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV
for Average Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2010 Mazda CX-7.
5 star(68%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(11%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(2%)
90 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3 out of 5 stars
It was a good SUV until the Turbo went 2x
johnnyg5454, 06/05/2014
2010 Mazda CX-7 s Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I enjoyed driving this truck everyday, until last year (2013) the turbo decided to quit. It started billowing smoke from the tailpipes. Luckily this was replaced under the warranty.
Fast forward 9 months and 2000 miles over warranty the turbo goes again and Mazda refuses to pay for the entire fix. A part they fixed fails not even a year after it was replaced.
I was a loyal Mazda owner … and was looking forward to purchasing another, not anymore.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Great Urban Vehicle
Anonymous, 12/08/2010
2010 Mazda CX-7 i Sport 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl 5A)
I stepped out of a custom F-150 xlt with all the power and none of the economy to this. I moved from the country to the city and this thing does exactly what I need it to. Front wheel drive with traction control for Cleveland winters. Fold down rear seat for those few times I need a little more room. It doesn't look like every other ride on the road. The 2.5L engine is spunky enough to … merge from short access lanes w/o worrying about getting rolled over by whoever bought my old truck. It parks easier in the big city, it gets better gas mileage, it is comfortable on trips (I've taken 2 to NC so far) and it has enough ground clearance to drive over a parking lot curb...totally by accident ;-)
1 out of 5 stars
Bad idea just saying
Amber, 11/24/2015
2010 Mazda CX-7 s Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I bought one that has 80,000 sounds great right. Nope 6 months after having it turbo charger went out. Cost a pretty penny. Then because i drove on it to far the whole engine needed replaced. After 3 months in the shop i finally got my car back. Now when i drive the wheel alignment? sounds annoying. And makes werid jurk pulls while accelerating. I love this car but the problems that it … comes with is disappointing. Wish you any luck with this car.
2 out of 5 stars
Fail!
Lori, 01/14/2016
2010 Mazda CX-7 s Grand Touring 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I bought my 2010 Mazda CX-7 new. I was generally satisfied, though pretty annoyed with the fact that I was constantly being pulled over and told that one of my headlights was out - like every couple of months. This turned out to be a "known issue" for Mazdas according to one of the garage mechanics I talked to because I wasn't about to go to the dealer to have them replaced at several … hundreds of dollars (they take off the front bumper or something) - the guy at the garage would sometimes have to spend 20-30 minutes fiddling around to manipulate the gasket to replace the bulb, but they never charged for more than the cost of the bulb. Anyway, I religiously change the oil with synthetic per recommendations and yes, it has 108,000 miles on it now, but just 2 months ago I replaced the wheel bearings in the rear driver's left side and put new front brakes in it to the tune of $800+ at the dealer. So, it would have been nice to have a head's up that is a significant chance that the turbocharger might fail and that if it does that it could lead to catastrophic engine failure. But no, instead that happens on one of the coldest nights of the year during rush hour. And they can't tell me if the turbocharger failure resulted in a blown engine which means the car is basically a hunk of junk or not. The dealer recommends that rather than spending the money on replacing the turbocharger since he doesn't know if that will fix it, I look to trading it in. Well, NOT on another Mazda! Grrrrr.
2010 CX-7 Highlights
i SV
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,700 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $178/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 29.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the CX-7 include:
- Back-up camera
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestMarginal
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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