What happens when you cross an SUV with the "soul of a sports car"? According to Mazda, you get the CX-7, their first challenger in the crossover market, billed as powerful, stylish and fun to drive.

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The SUV values Mazda sought were powerful and tough looks, practicality and ease of driving due to the extensive visibility afforded by the high seat position. Sports car attributed include athletic looks conveying a sense of speed, as well as driving fun.

The sports-car-inspired interior can house five passengers, while emphasising the car's athletic intensions through the enveloping sports seats and dynamic trim.

The meter cluster is inspired by the thoroughbred Mazda RX-8, with the meters’ zero markers in the six o’clock position, while an air of sophistication comes courtesy of the power-sliding glass sunroof and double-roof instrument panel which completely covers the instrument panel.

At the opposite end of the car, the 60/40 split rear seat opens up a large flat cargo area. The rear seat flat fold function can be activated from the rear seats, or can be quickly transformed with a flick of a lever in the cargo area. A reversible cargo floor panel lets you switch to a hard plastic surface for hauling rough and tumble loads, with additional storage space under the panel around the spare tyre.

The centre console’s locking storage bin continues the practicality, featuring a built-in 12V outlet so you can store and recharge a laptop computer.

Under the bonnet of the Mazda CX-7 lies a version of the turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-litre four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine that powers the Mazda6 MPS and Mazda3 MPS with power of 175kW at 5000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 2500rpm.

To put that power on the road, the SUV is equipped with Mazda’s newly developed Active Torque Split All-Wheel-Drive system. The onboard computer automatically determines the best mode depending on driving style and conditions.

From normal front-wheel drive, up to 50 percent of power is transferred to the rear wheels under hard acceleration, while on slippery surfaces, power is sent to the wheels that have the most traction. Using real-time information from various sensors, the system continuously monitors road surface and driving conditions and — using an electronically-controlled active torque coupling mounted in front of the rear differential — distributes torque between the axles.

Advanced transmission and drive components pass the engine’s power cleanly to the road. A six-speed Activematic transmission offers automatic gear selection, or manual override for total driver involvement.

Disc brakes at each wheel, with electronic ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems), EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist), bring the CX-7 to a standstill. On the move, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and ETC (Electronic Traction Control) systems optimise road holding on slippery surfaces and tight bends.

Beneath the skin, Mazda’s rigid Advanced Impact Distribution and Absorption System creates a protective cage, complemented by front and rear crumple zones, and dual front, side and curtain airbags; while in the rear, you will find ISOFIX child seat anchorages fitted to both outer seating positions. The impact safety performance of the Mazda CX-7 has achieved the top-level, 5-star rating with the USNCAP (United States New Car Assessment Program) on both the front and side surfaces of the vehicle.

Mazda offers a three-year/100 000km warranty on the Mazda CX-7 as well as a five-year/100 000km MazdaMotion Maintenance plan and three years of roadside assistance. Service intervals are spaced at 10 000km.

Pricing:
Mazda CX-7 2.3L DISI Turbo: R359 990