Take a very deep breath before describing the Mazda CX-7 in the Japanese firm’s own words. They call it a ‘high performance sports Crossover with Sports Utility practicality’ – a mealy-mouthed way of saying it’s a 4×4 that’s sportier than most rivals.
Call it what you like, the Mazda CX-7 is a good-looking vehicle, with rakish styling making it more attractive than some of its bluff-fronted competition. It also has the go to match the show thanks to Mazda’s 256PS 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is borrowed from the Mazda 6 MPS along with its four-wheel drive system.
Company drivers may be surprised to note there’s no diesel option, though Mazda says this will follow in the distant future. For the time being, only the 2.3-litre petrol is on offer with combined economy of 27.7mpg and emissions that drop it into the highest benefit-in-kind group.
Mazda believes the small number of business customers the CX-7 will attract will be tempted in by its lively drive. Plenty of work has gone into the Japanese-spec model to turn it into something suitable for European tastes, including chassis strengthening, retuned suspension, improved steering response and a six-speed manual gearbox.
All of that adds up to a…