2010 Mazda CX-7 Diesel has a sporty style and a good chassis tuning but Mazda has a small problem with its rakish, buttoned-down CX-7 crossover with the 244hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. With more than 3900 lb to haul around, the tightly wound turbo-four sucks gas like a six. The EPA mpg rating for the all-wheel drive CX-7s is an unremarkable 17/23 city/highway.
The diesel CX-7 feels more alert, yet paradoxically, more relaxed, an ideal combination for a crossover. Mazda claims the 170hp, 2.2-liter MZR-CD common-rail turbodiesel-powered CX-7 takes about 11.0 seconds to get to 60 mph. That’s a second longer than the CX-7i, and 3.3 seconds longer than the Grand Touring. So it’s far from offering the best of both worlds.
After a brief drive of the CX-7 diesel in Switzerland a couple of weeks back, we’re convinced a U.S.-spec CX-7 diesel has the potential to be one of those rare vehicles that is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s not just the gas mileage. It’s the torque. With 295 lb-ft on tap at just 2000 rpm, the MZR-CD delivers the sort of meaty launch feel American consumers love. While the 2.3-liter gas turbo, which has 258 lb-ft available at 2500 rpm, delivers a distinct pause-two-three sensation as it spools up from idle, the diesel delivers useable grunt the moment you squeeze the accelerator pedal.
