Mazda CX-7

Mazda CX-7: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Mazda CX-7 is an SUV 5-doors offered in original form from February 2006 to October 2009 and as a restyled model from September 2009 to August 2012. Choosing between its versions largely means deciding among the more economical 2.2 MT diesel, the simpler 2.5 gasoline models, and the quicker 2.3 gasoline variants.

The Mazda CX-7 is an SUV 5-doors offered in original form from February 2006 to October 2009 and as a restyled model from September 2009 to August 2012. Choosing between its versions largely means deciding among the more economical 2.2 MT diesel, the simpler 2.5 gasoline models, and the quicker 2.3 gasoline variants. The strongest output is 260 hp in the 2.3 MT, while the lowest measured combined consumption is 7.5 l/100 km in the 2.2 MT. Buyers wanting an Automatic can choose the 2.5 AT with 163 hp or one of several 2.3 AT specifications producing 238 or 244 hp. Because the same version names cover different power, injection, and drive configurations, horsepower and drivetrain must always be checked alongside the badge.

Mazda CX-7 generations and version choice

The original 1 generation ran from February 2006 through October 2009 as an SUV 5-doors and contains six listed versions. Its range centres on the 2.3 engine: 2.3 AT versions produce either 238 or 244 hp, while 2.3 MT versions produce 260 hp. Both FWD and AWD configurations appear. This generation is the one to compare first if maximum performance is the priority, because its measured figures include 0–100 km/h in 7.8 seconds for the 244 hp 2.3 AT and a top speed of 210 km/h for the 260 hp 2.3 MT.

The restyled 1 generation ran from September 2009 through August 2012, retained the SUV 5-doors body and offers eight listed versions. It broadened the choice with the 163 hp 2.5 AT, the 163 hp 2.5 MT and the 173 hp 2.2 MT diesel, alongside 238, 244 and 260 hp 2.3 versions. Compared with the original range, the restyled catalogue therefore adds lower-output gasoline choices and a diesel option. It also includes a 244 hp 2.3 AT measured at 7.1 seconds to 100 km/h, which is 0.7 seconds quicker than the corresponding 244 hp 2.3 AT figures listed for the original model.

Mazda CX-7 engine specs

Repeated names are distinguished below by power, injection system and drive. Displacement figures are stated exactly in cubic centimetres because the catalogue’s rounded version names do not identify every specification difference.

Power per litre separates the engine families clearly. The 163 hp 2.5 versions produce about 65.5 hp per litre, and the 173 hp 2.2 MT produces about 79.2 hp per litre. Depending on specification, the 2.3 versions produce about 105.3 hp, 108.0 hp or 115.0 hp per litre. The 2.2 MT has the highest torque in the catalogue at 400 Nm, exceeding the 2.3 MT by 20 Nm, the 2.3 AT by 50 Nm and the 2.5 versions by 195 Nm.

Mazda CX-7 performance and mpg comparison

The performance choice depends on which measure matters. The restyled 244 hp 2.3 AT is quickest to 100 km/h at 7.1 seconds, while the 260 hp 2.3 MT has the highest top speed at 210 km/h. The diesel 2.2 MT takes 11.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h, but its 200 km/h maximum is 27 km/h higher than the 2.5 AT’s 173 km/h.

For economy, the 2.2 MT uses 1.9 l/100 km less combined fuel than the 2.5 AT and 3.5 l/100 km less than the 2.3 MT. Among measured 244 hp Automatic variants, FWD is the lower-consumption configuration: in the original range it uses 11.2 l/100 km combined versus 11.8 l/100 km for AWD, while the restyled versions record 11.2 l/100 km for FWD and 12.4 l/100 km for AWD.

Mazda CX-7 dimensions, weight and capacity

The supplied data identify the Mazda CX-7 as an SUV 5-doors but do not provide exterior length, width or height; each of those dimensions is therefore not measured. Ground clearance is either 206 mm or 208 mm, and every listed version has a 69-litre fuel tank.

Weight per horsepower helps show what each drivetrain asks the engine to move. The original 260 hp 2.3 MT FWD is about 6.5 kg per hp, compared with about 6.7 kg per hp for the 260 hp AWD version. The restyled 244 hp 2.3 AT is about 7.0 kg per hp with FWD and about 7.4 kg per hp with AWD. The restyled 2.5 AT is about 10.1 kg per hp, while the 2.2 MT is about 10.8 kg per hp.

Which Mazda CX-7 version should you buy?

Choose the restyled 2.2 MT if measured fuel economy and torque matter most. It combines the lowest consumption—7.5 l/100 km—with the highest torque, 400 Nm, plus AWD and a 6-speed Manual. Its trade-offs are the slowest measured acceleration at 11.3 seconds and the highest kerb weight at 1875 kg.

Choose the restyled 2.5 AT if you want an Automatic without the consumption of the more powerful 2.3 versions. Its 9.4 l/100 km combined figure is 2.1 l/100 km below the 238 hp 2.3 AT and 1.8 l/100 km below the measured 244 hp FWD 2.3 AT. In return, it has 163 hp, FWD, a 5-speed Automatic and a 10.3-second acceleration time.

Choose a 244 hp 2.3 AT FWD if acceleration is the main goal but an Automatic is required. The restyled specification reaches 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and records 11.2 l/100 km combined. Its AWD counterpart is no quicker, weighs 97 kg more and uses 1.2 l/100 km more combined fuel, so AWD is the defining reason to accept those numerical penalties.

Choose the 260 hp 2.3 MT when maximum power and top speed have priority. With 380 Nm, a 6-speed Manual and a 210 km/h top speed, it is the strongest and fastest by maximum speed. The AWD version has measured combined consumption of 11.0 l/100 km and reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The FWD version is 62 kg lighter in the original range, but its consumption figures are not measured.

For shoppers comparing original and restyled cars, specification matters more than the generation label alone. The 238 hp 2.3 AT AWD retains identical listed figures across both periods: 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h, 181 km/h, 11.5 l/100 km combined, 1831 kg and 208 mm of clearance. The clearest numerical reason to select the restyled range is access to the 2.2 MT and 2.5 versions, or to the 244 hp 2.3 AT measured at 7.1 seconds. Reliability, problems, engine-oil capacity, replacement cost and sale prices are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.