Overview & Reviews

The Mazda CX-7 is a compact crossover SUV with seating for five. Introduced for 2007, it was a refinement on the more utilitarian Tribute and like most newer Mazdas, it has an athletic demeanor. The CX-7 also incorporates most of the elements that continue to make crossovers so popular, including carlike handling, available all-wheel drive and a useful amount of cargo capacity.

Although the CX-7 is fun to drive as crossovers go, its base four-cylinder engine is memorable for its sluggish acceleration and subpar fuel economy. The available turbocharged four-cylinder solves the performance problem, but its fuel economy is even worse. With the efficient CX-5 waiting in the wings, the CX-7 was phased out after the 2012 model year.

User Reviews:

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  Cold Water on CX-7 - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By CDT - May 1 - 3:40 am

  This is a very annoying vehicle. It was the first one delivered in the area and no doubt has some new model quirks, but that does not explain a vehicle delivered with major misalignment that scrubbed the first tires in 10k miles, nor the turbo lag, nor the awful gas mileage (17-19 in almost all country driving), nor the terrible handling in snow (except straight ahead), nor the brakes that went metal to metal in 20k miles. Its pretty and fun on dry curvy roads, but overall it is a loser and will not be bought or repeated at lease end.

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  dissatisfied - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By disappointed - January 4 - 5:36 pm

  Air compressor locked up at 18000 miles and burned the drive belt up. Gas mileage stinks, dont let the dealership lie about the fuel, you HAVE to use premium gas or it lugs and shifts like crap.

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  Started out as my dream car..... - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By lenalou22 - May 13 - 12:05 am

  My CX7 is in the shop again, this time with a $2500 repair. It has 45,000 miles on it and needs a second timing chain as well as a new turbo. I also had the AC replaced this summer. I was so in LOVE with this car when I got it, but after putting 20,000 miles on it and paying THOUSANDS of dollars in repairs, I could not be more disappointed. Mazda knows all of the problems with these CX7- yet doesnt stand behind it when they happen over and over again to according to all these reviews, everyone. Some people say they havent had problems yet, they will come. Just wait. Had I known Mazda was made by FORD I would have never bought it in the first place.

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  Good Ridence!! - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Someones Mom - March 28 - 4:10 am

  My lease is up next months, good ridence. Cant wait to get rid of this car. Its fun to drive but the interior quality is horrible. Cheap carpet and floor mats. Cheap interior overall. Cute car but bye-bye!!

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  Let me tell you!! - 2008 Mazda CX-7
  By lykeisha - March 19 - 7:26 am

  I got this car with 18k miles on it and I initially loved it despite the premium gas and the gas mileage it was great. We took it on family trips from Ohio to Florida on 3 occasions. 60k noticed an oil leak-engine ouil cooler was defective-not covered under warranty but Mazda was aware that this was a known issue and was doing nothing about it. Cost-$600+. White smoke out the exhaust-Vent kit needed-known issue not covered. Cost-$700+. At now 98k all of a sudden rattling took it in low on oil by 4 quarts?? No oil light came on or service light came on?? A week later guess what same thing..and the engine is blown! Talk about Angry... I still owe on it and I am just going to junk it.

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  Some good advise to current owners - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By wlu - March 11 - 2:45 pm

  Here is my advise to those who still own a 2007 CX7. 1. Pay the $600 (or so) and have a mechanic open engine to clean any sludge that may have accumulated over the years. Make sure they check over the timing chain and VVT actuator. 2. Dont follow Mazdas service plan, perform oil changes every 3000 miles. My Mazda dealer switched to 5w-20 (instead of 5w-30) because it is more durable with the turbo. You might want to do the same. I loved the performance of the car the short 2 years I had it. Build quality is ridiculously cheap! Parts are crazy expensive! I traded our CX7 in yesterday for our first Ford (always owned Mazda until now). I wish you all good luck with this car.

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  Purchased Damaged Car - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Alan Arbeitman - July 5 - 7:06 pm

  Numerous problems with car: air cond out first month. New head had to be ordered to replace cracked one that was on engine at time of manufacture due to "casting flaw" as attested to by Mazda technicians. Local dealer bent over backwards to try and make it right. We eventually went to Mazda USA and asked for our money back based on fact that car was damaged at time of manufacture. They refused, saying they had repaired car. Now a window wont work. This has been a nightmare and we are very unhappy, wondering what will happen next. Will have to take a loss and trade for another brand soon.

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  Fun to drive at times but many negatives - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Mike - April 23 - 7:36 am

  Sure, its kind of quick for an SUV. And the seats are comfortable. It also rides nice during cruising speeds. But, the turbo lag takes away from the fun. There have been many times where it took 1-2 seconds for it to take off. Very annoying. Especially when pulling into traffic. The back seat is not practical at all for a family. Its very small. Not much leg room. The tires wear like crazy due to front wheel drive w/turbo and the high performance soft tires. They are expensive to replace. The car is also a gas guzzler for a 4 cylinder. We owned this car for almost 3 years. We regretted this purchase. I give it a D+.

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  DONT BUY A MAZDA CX-7 - 2009 Mazda CX-7
  By debbiec13 - April 2 - 2:38 pm

  Our Mazda CX-7, with 57,000 miles on it, experienced the same sludge build up resulting in a turbo blowing out, timing chain stretching and VVT needing replacement, as thousands of other CX-7 owners have also experienced. With the original warranty and extended warranty still in place, Mazda denied all service claims stating "poor vehicle maintenance"--as they have with all the other CX-7 owners. In speaking with Mazda technicians, they stated to me that there is a problem with the oil cooled turbo that Mazda refuses to admit to because it will result in a huge recall. Mazda needs to be held accountable for their poor design on these cars and stop putting the blame on consumers.

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  Buyer Beware - 2007 Mazda CX-7
  By Buyer Beware - October 23 - 4:16 am

  This crossover is fun to drive, thats it. Mechanical problems. It requires premium fuel and the gas mileage is about 16-17 city miles. Only gets about 275-300 miles per 18 gallon tank.