2009 Mazda CX-7 local line-up confirmed
August 17, 2009 by George Skentzos
Mazda Australia has confirmed the local engine line-up for its updated CX-7 crossover range, which is due to hit showrooms from November.
The new range will adopt the 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines already used in the Mazda6, promising impressive fuel economy and spirited driving dynamics.
This wide choice of powertrains is unique to Australia as the only market where all three engine options have been made available to customers.
New buyers will be spoiled for choice with three powertrains, three transmissions, two drivetrains and four feature-packed grades on offer.
The newly adopted front-wheel-drive CX-7 Classic uses the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine which produces maximum power of 120kW at 6000rpm and 205Nm at 2000rpm.
Coupled to a five-speed Activematic transmission as standard, the CX-7 classic uses an impressive 9.4 litres per 100km.
The new CX-7 Diesel Sports with 2.2 litre turbo-diesel engine boasts maximum power of 127kW at 3,500rpm and a maximum torque of 400Nm at 2,000rpm.
Power is channelled through a six-speed manual transmission through Mazda’s proven Active Torque Split All-Wheel-Drive system, with fuel consumption dropping to just 7.6 litres per 100km.
The powerful 2.3-litre turbo engine producing an impressive 175kW of power and 350Nm has been carried over and features in the CX-7 Classic Sports and CX-7 Luxury Sports with the Active Torque Split All-Wheel-Drive system.
All models in the CX-7 crossover range will feature updated styling and revised features details of which will be released in the near future.
Print it: 
The silver one in the first pic looks good with the new coporate face, but the one down further with the chintzy chrome looks a bit tacky. Engines sound good. They should consider putting the 2.3 litre in the 6 as a spiritual successor to the MPS.
Im glad they’re bringing in the diesel, especially with the manual tranny. And if the stupid auto is developed I hope they keep the manual – if it’s sporty as they suggest, it should have a manual. Give it sat-nav and a few other updates and I reckon this will sell abit better than they do now.
As for a sporty compact SUV, I think I’d rather a Forester XT Premium, Ford Kuga 2.5 Titanium (UK), or even the Tiguan 147TSI (but I’m not boring so maybe not…) as they are newer, offer a higher quality interior and they don’t need a STUPID SMILE to catch attention – the people buying them don’t need to catch attention as they’re subtle and don’t care.
2.2 diesel sound great….
Great engine line up and certainly one of the more desirable compact SUVs. I’d rather a Tiguan, but that’s only because I’m more of a Volkswagen fan than a Mazda one.
My only problem with it is that I still think they’ve ruined the looks a bit. It’s gone from sleek and perfect to a bit fidgety. However, the new engine line up makes it much easier to forgive them for playing around with what may have been the best looking compact SUV on the market.
Looks great and still the best looking SUV in my opinion.
Good blend of style, benchmark handling, quality interior and more usable space than a Tiguan. They will sell well just like the current Mazda 3 despite the critics moaning about the smiley face.
What about a 6 speed Auto Diesel Mazda?
Good thing they’ve adopted other engines, but how much are the new models? Specificially how much will they be compared to other compact SUV for similar specced engines?
It’s great that Mazda offer the diesel engine for the CX7 but why is there no auto version? It seems mazda is not very confident to offer the automatic gear boxes for their diesel models, eg..no diesel auto models available for the mazda3 & mazda6 either. I also think the naturally aspirated 2.5l engine will be struggling to carry the CX7’s weight.
Maximark,
If they had an auto diesel, would you actually pick it over a manual? I drove a manual CX-7 petrol in the UK and it’s a great gearbox – I’m pretty sure the diesel would be more well-suited to the manual as you have full control (as well as having a greater amount of control when driving) and if Mazda is gonna Market the facelift model as Sporty than it has to have a manual!
Yes, develop the auto, BUT keep the manual! Don’t take away the choice just because all the people who don’t care about driving will drive it.
I meant to say in my previous post all the people who care about driving will drive it not people who DONT care. Sorry about that :S
Are they going to lower the window line on the new model so rear seat passengers can actually see where they are going? It will stay off my list until they do.
Good move Mazda, giving the people a diesel SUV is giving them what they want.
SO………
Why stop at the CX-7?
Put the 2.2 diesel in the CX-9 and watch it take massive market share in the people mover category.
Why? If I want a diesel people mover I need to buy a full blown 4×4 e.g. Pajero, or a van e.g. Caravelle. Both expensive and I don’t want the running cost of a 4×4 and would rather not drive a van.
I could opt for a 7 seater like the Renault Scenic, but the rear seats are tiny and leave no boot space. Another option is a Caddy Maxi Life but having only a weak 1.9L it is gutless (and very ugly).
The CX-9 looks good, has decent space and with the 2.2 should go well and still be reasonable on the juice.
Looks awesome, but I don’t understand why these mazdas use so much fuel … Is it still PULP only or has that requirement already changed?
Well done Mazda ["You should see us now"], what took you so long to figure this out, need to kick off the N/A 2.5 @ low low $30k’s.
Once again Mazda does ANOTHER DIEsel without auto, that has gota be costing them sales.
Tribute, long gone and forgotten, yes Noddy it’s [was] just another SUV, very ordinary, nothing more and not missed in the slightest.
Kipland
fantastic line-up!I really love em.
I, too, would rather see this diesel first in a CX-9 with an auto option.
Here are some reasons I did not buy CX-7 (petrol turbo) and got a Tiguan instead:
- no rear air vents in CX-7.
- rear seat are too low in CX-7, hard for kids to see out. In Tiguan, rear seats are on top of rear wheels, good view and lots of leg space.
- CX-7 feels top-heavy compared to Tiguan.
- Tiguan is lots more pro-active with throwing drive to rear wheels, if you accelerate while turning, Tig will trasnfer drive to rear wheels even when the front are not loosing traction yet, thus eliminates potential understeer.
- I would prefer Tiguan had a bigger boot, but reat seat can be moved forward to place a pram longways when required.
I agree with you Simon, and I bet a tenner that Mazda will introduce that diesel in the CX-9 in the not too distant future. Speaking of which, didn’t the CX-9 get an update as well?
I would be very curious to see how the Na Cx-7 scored in real world fuel consumption. . .
9.4..pffft. but if it’s remotely close. .might be a goer in my household. .
The missus is in love with the looks of this car. . never mind the orig petrol consumption..
Maximark,
The reason Mazda haven’t added an auto in the diesel engine, is because they do not have one. From what I’ve read, none of their current autoboxes are not compatible for a diesel engine. Mazda are aware the lack of an autobox will hinder sales, as it has with the 3 and 6. An autobox for the diesel IIRC is still one to two years away…
T39
We also checked out the Cx-7 and Tiguan I have to agree with you about the rear seat visibility on the CX-7 is an issue with its high door line (We have 3 Year old)
We struggled to fit our 3 wheeler pram in the Tiguan and if we were to move the rear seats forward then the booster seat would dominate what little space would be left between it and the back of the front seats….how do you manage it?
Did you get the 147TSI model?
Jake02,
I wouldn’t mind to have the auto as long as it has the same power & touque, and I wouldn’t mind the manual either but I find driving an auto is more relaxing. My point is why cant mazda offer both auto & manual, not all people can drive manual though, like my wife :(
Myke,
Thanks for the information. I’m surprised that Mazda are too far behind others regarding to the diesel & auto combination, but it’s good to know that they will have one in 1 or 2 yrs time.
Well done Mazda on finally putting more fuel efficient petrol engine in the CX7. Certain to attract a few more buyers
Looks wise i am not sure though i dont think it is that bad
Pricing shuld be interesting as well as the specs list
Great move Mazda and the facelift looks bold and fresh…the choice of engines will attract a broad spectrum of new owners…..and manual even if it is a T/D will be a huge asset….AWD turbo 6 wagon would be nice….and I have read that Mazda don’t want to de-tune the turbo diesel to match an auto….so developing a gearbox for the torque is under way
Anyone know the diesel service intervals?
Simon, if you really want a 7-seat diesel, why not look at the SsangYong Rexton? Yes, I know, SsangYong have some hideous designs, but the Rexton isn’t one of them, and in any case the CX-7 above is as hideous at the front as the Actyon anyway. Luggage space is somewhat limited with the 7 seats in place, but that’s the tradeoff with any design.
What is so hard about designing and offering an auto diesel, Mazda?