Expert Review: 2011 Mazda CX-7

Expert Review: 2011 Mazda CX-7 - The Mazda CX-7 is sporty, sleek and distinctive, yet functional, spacious and comfortable, with decent interior space and all the proper safety equipment. It is available with an agile four-cylinder turbo as the Kia Sportage SX or the Acura RDX, or a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine as the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.

You will find the Mazda CX-7 is fun to drive, excellent stability at high speed and maneuverability. Mazda CX-7 shines curves, something known as the Mazda.

The Mazda CX-7 is in its fifth year, introduced for 2007 when crossovers (SUVs with the chassis of a car, not truck) were a new idea. They offer the SUV high seating position and cargo capacity, with the more agile steering and smoother ride of a car. Also, fuel mileage is better than with a heavier and boxier truck-based SUV. The CX-7 was revised for 2010, with increased body rigidity, stiffened dampers, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. Inside, it got a new dashboard with electronic equipment upgrades. The biggest change for 2011 is a new model, the i Touring, which adds equipment to the base model with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder.

Under the hood is 2.5-liter engine making 161 horsepower and using a 5-speed automatic transmission. A 244-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is also available, using a 6-speed automatic.

The base 2.5-liter engine is well matched to the Mazda CX-7, providing adequate acceleration from a stop, though it lacks a bit in midrange punch. It's smooth and works well with the 5-speed automatic transmission, well enough that the costlier and more complex 6-speed isn't needed, reserved instead for the sportier turbo.

The turbocharged engine has more midrange power than the base engine, making passing a much easier prospect. Power builds smoothly from a standstill. The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts well and adapts well to different driving situations with impressive torque at low engine speeds.

The base engine is EPA rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. You pay for the extra power in the 2.3-liter turbo, with fuel mileage of 17/24 mpg with FWD and a lackluster 15/21 mpg with AWD.

Even though it's been around since 2007, the Mazda CX-7 sports the latest version of Mazda's styling theme, and it still looks sleek and fresh. The interior makes no less of a statement than the exterior. Some design features work well, others not so well. Overall, the CX-7 interior seems chunky and a bit complicated, not as friendly and functional as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.

In the interior of the Mazda hit the CR-V and RAV4 legroom in the front seat and rear seat headroom, but there is at least the legroom in the rear seats is a substantial two inches with 36.4 inches. Kia Sportage hit the CX-7 also, with 37.9 inches. The cargo space with rear seats folded, the CX-7 is a distant third behind Honda and Toyota, but the Kia wins.

Over rough pavement, the suspension is firm without being rigid, but sharp bumps can be severe. And despite good engine compartment and underbody insulation, transmit tire road noise in the cabin, which is also very quiet. We found the CX-7 AWD worked reasonably well on paved roads.

Mazda RX-8: The Father’s Sport Car

Mazda RX-8: The Father’s Sport Car - Have children change the life of a guy. If you're a car guy, it probably means the day running a two-seater is more or less behind you - or at least, as you can find a babysitter, how many times you want your family for a back-road blast, and / or you can wait until one of your children are old enough to ride shotgun.

On the wings of the venerable Miata, Mazda has sold over two-seat roadster (900,000 more since 1989) than any other automaker. Now I have two young daughters, however, the four seats of the Mazda RX-8 used in a way I had not considered before.

I had a mild man-crush on the Mazda RX-8, when my neighbor bought a new red in 2003, and my love for cars only grew stronger when I'm driven by such Automobile Magazine Four Seasons picky in 2004. Only now, after running an RX-8 for the first time since becoming a father, however, I really appreciate the versatility of this sports car.

Although the RX-8 feel agile, good balance, and flingable very nature, is actually quite spacious inside. The best as parents, however, are the clamshell-style rear doors that provide access to a surprisingly simple super-fit pair of rear seats. Installation of two parking spaces (a fanny pack and a seat convertible) was almost as easy to do, because it is a typical sedan - and much easier than twisting itself back the Chevrolet Camaro, for example. Clamshell doors are extra wide income gap, too, so I'm out of the way when loading children. trunk of the Mazda could also be a reasonable amount of baby gear, even if the double stroller was out of the question, and the opening of the trunk is rather thin.

The only complaints I have other minors are that (1), I had to squat down more than usual for children in low-roof coupe, (2) there was no room leg much to my wife sit in front of our children is long, bulky seat, basket-treated, and (3) my two years was too much fun to blow my back (I knew there was a good Because I usually put it behind my wife).

The RX-8 would be a pretty bad head coach family do not understand. But if your family of three or four has a van, truck, or across the driveway, the car-loving parents (and mothers) are required to verify the RX-8 - especially if you can withstand the daily Summary results of the vehicle engine in cold weather and excess fuel and oil consumption.

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Mazda 2: Honda Jazz is the toughest rival

Mazda 2: Honda Jazz is the toughest rival - Specifications: Mazda 2 that has already launched in Indonesia provided the machine with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve that produces power 103 hp at 6,000 rpm and torque of 137 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Mazda 2 fuel consumption outside downtown 17.8 km / liter, downtown 11.23 km / liter and a combination of 15.6 km / liter.

Safety Features

There some security features are offered. There are anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and Mazda Advanced Impact Distribution And Absorption (MAIDAS).

The adoption of the Mazda RX-8

From the outside, this car RX-8 to adopt the face can be seen in the form of the front fenders and hood design. Mazda 2 interior adopts a sporty nuance, adjusting with its young generation market target.

The market of Hatchback City Car is in fast growing in Indonesia, but the presence of Mazda 2 which launched "quite late" will make the Mazda 2 a little heavy penetration. In this segment have already existed Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Chevrolet Aveo or Hyundai i10 and Hyundai i20. Plus the Ford Fiesta, also will come in the mid-2010.

Mazda Indonesia acknowledges Honda Jazz as the toughest rival

Mazda 2 dashboard

Market conditions as described above was also recognized by the President of Mazda Motor Indonesia, Yoshiya Horigome which recognizes the Honda Jazz will be difficult to conquer. It makes sense when Honda Jazz has ruled this segment since the growing of Hatchback lovers. But Ryoichi Kishimoto, Program Manager of New Mazda 2 Mazda Motor Corporation, said that this third-generation of Mazda 2

will get special attention in the Indonesian market.

Mazda officially expressed a readiness to "rock" Indonesian hatchback market. Mazda 2 has a more modern design, high quality, strong engine and fuel efficiency will become the new choice for fans of city car in the country.

Mazda 2 achieved awards

"This car has been recognized around the world. Mazda 2 proved to have got total 51 awards. This is a confession, "he said when he joined the ASEAN Media Test Drive for New Mazda 2 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last week. Until now, Mazda Motor Indonesia has not officially opened the official price range for the Mazda 2, but the expected price is really competitive, therefore the Mazda 2 could be superior in terms of price.

CBU version in limited numbers

MMI (car importer association) reportedly already get the full import permits (Completely Built-Up/CBU) Mazda 2 from Thailand as much as 75 units for a five-speed manual transmission and 75 units of four-speed automatic transmission. PT Mazda Motor Indonesia or MMI Mazda 2 expects to sell 300 units per month or 3600 units per year.

Mazda 2 Sedan version

Mazda 2 will only released hatchback version in Indonesia. But actually Mazda 2 also has a sedan version. That is just like Honda City, Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris and Toyota Vios. These are some photos of Mazda 2 sedan version @ car review: