Looking at the CX-7’s size and name, you would be forgiven for thinking you’d find a third row of seating lurking in the boot. You won’t. So with just five seats to fit into a bodyshell 4675mm long and with an accommodating 2750mm wheelbase, the CX-7 should offer reasonable cabin space, and it does.
There’s space for most shapes both up front and in the back, our only space-related criticism being that if the driver has his chair set to its lowest position there is little foot space for rear passengers. Boot space is less impressive; at 455 litres with the rear seats up, the CX-7 carries less than a Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V or Land Rover Freelander.
Given the CX-7’s pricing, the cabin is refreshingly upmarket, with a clean design and excellent equipment specification. Leather, climate control, and a superb nine-speaker Bose stereo are standard, and the finish is generally good.
The cabin’s biggest success is the positioning of the major controls. Despite not adjusting for reach, the steering wheel comes back suitably far and the gear lever is positioned appealingly close at hand. From this perspective, and with more than a little imagination, the driving position feels more WRC than SUV.
Small differences, but ones we appreciate and that help to make the CX-7 a good buying proposition. For its size, incredible performance and generous equipment, its £23,940 price tag looks exceptionally good value.
If you don’t get snobby about the badge, you’re getting BMW X3 pace and equipment levels for £12,000 less. But don’t go spending those savings too quickly, because you’ll need them to keep the CX-7 in fuel.
We got close to Mazda’s touring economy of 35.0mpg, but only by travelling at a strict 50mph. More realistic touring drops consumption to 27.0mpg and over mixed driving we averaged just 18.4mpg. More costs come from the 243g/km of CO2 emitted by the CX-7, placing it in the highest tax bracket.
