Mazda makes the best-selling sports car ever, the MX-5 Miata, and the only successful series of Wankel rotary-piston powered sports cars, in the RX-7 and RX-8 line. Those are more than mere “halo vehicles” meant to provide an image that may rub off on more pedestrian models, because there is more than a little Miata or RX in every Mazda.
Even Mazda crossovers. Especially if the Mazda crossover in question is the CX-7. With its sleek, RX-8-inspired lines and well-raked windshield, the CX-7 looks like a cross(over) between a sports coupe and an SUV.
The underhood specification — a turbocharged and intercooled twincam 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection and variable cam phasing for 244 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode — says “sport” a little more loudly.
You know what?
With RX-8 influence in its front fascia, headlights, and prominent wheel arches, the CX-7 is also definitely not a traditional truck of an SUV. But it does successfully combine the high eyepoint of an SUV with sporty Mazda styling.
Not only that, the seatback folds with a 60/40 split, and liftover to the cargo area is not overly high. With the rear seat in place, there is more room than in a sedan trunk. Yup, that’s why I like it!!!
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