The Mazda CX-7, a midsize crossover SUV, emerged as the production version of the Mazda MX Crossport concept car. Launched as a 2007 model, it aimed to fill the market gap left by the Mazda Tribute. The CX-7 shares similarities with vehicles like the Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, Subaru B9 Tribeca, and Toyota Highlander.
Under the hood, the CX-7 features a 2.3-liter straight-four MZR engine, also found in the Mazda Mazdaspeed 6. This engine delivers 244 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 2500 rpm. The CX-7 also includes fully independent suspension, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with standard anti-lock brakes, and stability and traction control systems. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive and the Mazda Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system, which uses a computer-controlled coupling to distribute up to 50% of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels.
The Mazda CX-7 was built on a new platform, dispelling rumors of it using the Ford/Mazda CD3 platform shared by the Ford Edge, Mazda6, and Lincoln MKX.