Mazda cx 7 belongs to the SUV class and is a mid-size Japanese car with five seats.
More than 10 years have passed since the Mazda cx 7 was created. However, it was officially unveiled in January 2006 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
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The basis for its creation was the concept of this crossover called MX-Crossport, which was unveiled a little earlier, in 2005. The launch of mass production of Mazda Cx 7 took place in the spring of 2006, at the concern's car plant in Hiroshima. It is worth noting that the crossover aroused great interest among drivers who like serious equipment.
For reference! Iwao Koizumi, chief designer of Mazda, claims that he designed the exterior of this crossover in a fitness center, which emphasizes the exterior of the car. After all, the design of the CX-7 turned out to be sporty-aggressive both inside and outside!
Four years later, the model was re-styled, the main change of which was the appearance of a front-wheel drive vehicle layout. The Mazda cx 7 was discontinued in 2012, just six years after its launch. The management of the company decided to complete the production of this crossover, which is very popular, due to the release of a newer model.
For reference! The predecessor of the Mazda cx 7 is the famous Mazda Tribute car, and its successor is the newer Mazda CX-5 crossover!
It's no secret that the crossover was developed on a completely new platform, which was designed specifically for this car.
Despite this, a significant part of the units, assemblies and mechanisms of the Mazda cx 7 are borrowed components of other models from the Mazda company. For example, the front suspension is entirely taken from the Mazda MPV minivan, while the rear is based on the Mazda 3 suspension, which has undergone minor modifications.
The all-wheel drive transmission, which was also equipped with the presented crossover, came from the Mazda 6 MPS. In addition, the 6th generation Mazda presented the owners of the CX-7 with a derated engine with a capacity of 238 hp. The gearbox is a six-speed automatic unit "Active matic", which has a manual shift function.
It should also be noted that the Mazda cx-7 car has a security system, which includes the following elements:
- Six airbags;
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC);
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS);
- Emergency Brake Booster (EBA);
- Traction Control (TSC).
Specifications Mazda cx 7
Before describing the technical characteristics of this car, it is necessary to clarify that there are different modifications depending on the region of delivery, each of which has a standard and re-styled version:
- Russia;
- Japan;
- Europe;
Below is a table showing the technical characteristics of the engines that the crossover was equipped with:
| Russia | Japan | Europe | USA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine brand | L5-VE L3-VDT | L3-VDT | MZR DISI L3-VDT | L5-VE L3-VDT |
| Engine volume, l | 2.5 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.2 2.3 | 2.5 2.3 |
| Power, hp | 161-170 238-260 | 238-260 | 150 – 185 238 - 260 | 161-170 238-260 |
| Torque, N * m | 226 380 | 380 | 400 380 | 226 380 |
| Fuel used | AI-95 AI-98 | AI-95, AI-98 | Diesel fuel; AI-95, AI-98 | AI-95 AI-98 |
| Fuel consumption, l / 100 km | 7.9 - 11.8 9.7 - 14.7 | 8.9 - 11.5 | 5.6 - 7.5 9.7 - 14.7 | 7.9 - 11.8 9.7 - 14.7 |
| engine's type | Gasoline, in-line, 4-cylinder turbocharged | Diesel, in-line, 4-cylinder turbocharged; Gasoline, in-line, 4-cylinder turbocharged | Gasoline, in-line, 4-cylinder; Gasoline, in-line, 4-cylinder turbocharged |
|
| Additional engine information | Direct fuel injection, DOHC | Common-rail direct fuel injection, DOHC; Direct fuel injection, DOHC | Distribution fuel injection; Direct fuel injection, DOHC |
|
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 89 – 100 87.5 | 87.5 | 86 87.5 | 89 – 100 87.5 |
| Compression ratio | 09.07.2018 09.05.2018 | 09.05.2018 01.01.1970 | 16.03.2018 09.05.2018 | 09.07.2018 09.05.2018 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 94 – 100 94 | 94 | 94 | 94 – 100 |
Based on the above table, we can safely say that the Mazda CX-7 engine range does not differ in a wide range of choices. There are only 3 ICE options to choose from - a diesel power unit and two petrol ones.
The first one is called MZR-CD R2AA, has a working volume of 2.2 liters and is equipped with a turbocharger, which allows it to produce 170 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 11.3 seconds, and the average fuel consumption is 7, 5 liters. Below is a photo of this engine in the engine compartment: 
For reference! The CX-7 crossovers, which were assembled for the European market, were additionally equipped with an exhaust gas cleaning system (SCR)!
The 2.3-liter L3-VDT gasoline engine inherited the CX-7 from the Mazda 6 MPS. It included a direct fuel injection system, turbocharging and an intercooler. This engine was installed both on cars with a manual transmission, which made it possible to obtain 260 hp power, and with a six-speed automatic transmission, as a result of which the power was reduced to 238 hp.
It should be emphasized that both versions of this power unit are not economical, because according to the passport data, fuel consumption reaches 11 - 11.5 l / 100 km in the combined cycle. However, due to the presence of a turbine, the CX-7 crossover has good acceleration dynamics - 8.3 seconds to 100 km / h. Below is an L3-VDT in one of the Japanese catalogs: 
The last of the two petrol engines, with a displacement of 2.5 liters, was installed on the post-styled versions of the Mazda cx 7. This engine differs in that it does not have a turbine and is considered an atmospheric power unit. Its power is 161 hp, acceleration to 100 km / h takes 10.3 seconds according to passport data, and fuel consumption is in the combined cycle.
The engine is named L5-VE and works in conjunction with a five-speed automatic transmission. It is found in the front-wheel drive CX-7 models, which are intended for the American market. There is also a Russian version of the L5-VE internal combustion engine, which works in conjunction with a manual transmission and allows you to reach 170 hp. 
With which engine to choose the Mazda CX-7
When choosing an engine, first of all, you should consider your own preferences. For example, for one driver, an important parameter is the dynamics of the car, its maximum speed. The turbocharged L3-VDT engine is best suited for these purposes. However, it should be understood that the supercharger not only adds power, but also reduces the life of the engine.
In addition, according to the owners of this power unit, problems with the turbine and engine oil starvation very often arise. Fuel consumption is also an important parameter, because turbocharging significantly increases it.
Naturally, for most drivers, the reliability of the engine, its efficiency and resource are more important. The naturally aspirated L5-VE engine with a displacement of 2.5 liters is best suited for these purposes.
Unfortunately, the MZR-CD R2AA diesel engine, which is installed on the European versions of the CX-7, is extremely rare in our country. However, if you are lucky enough to find such a copy, then it will be a good alternative to the gasoline aspirated. Diesel engines have greater efficiency and service life, and also have greater traction.
What is the most popular engine among the owners of the Mazda CX-7
In our country, almost all Mazda CX-7 cars are equipped with a gasoline turbocharged L3-VDT engine. And this is not because it is the most attractive option. The fact is that in our secondary market, finding any other engine is an extremely difficult task.
This motor gives such a difficult crossover a pleasant acceleration dynamics, but everything is not quite smooth with reliability. So, the most common problems in an L3-VDT engine are:
- Supercharger (turbine). The owners note that this unit breaks down very often, without showing any signs of future breakdown. However, it is worth considering that many owners personally reduce the operating life of the supercharger by performing poor-quality maintenance;
- Increased wear on the timing chain. Many owners agree that it can stretch for as little as 50,000 km;
- VVT-i coupling. If it is difficult to identify or prevent the other two malfunctions, then everything is much easier with the clutch. The main sign of its failure is a crackle when starting the engine, and immediately before its breakdown, the sound of the engine becomes rough, more like a diesel engine.
Recommendation! A gasoline turbo engine is characterized by an increased consumption of engine oil. For the L3-VDT, the norm is 1 liter per 1,000 km. It is very important to monitor the level of engine oil, because its lack entails increased wear not only of the turbine, but also of all engine systems!
Even ten years after the start of production, the Mazda CX-7 has not lost its visual appeal. And given the low cost, many may think about replacing the sedan with a crossover with a sports bias. But there are a couple of pitfalls to be aware of before buying. Perhaps the low price for Mazda CX-7 was formed for a reason? Below in the article you will receive an answer to this question.
A bit of history
In 2007, the CX-7 made a splash. The first crossover from Mazda with a striking design and a powerful engine was sold very successfully. To save on taxes, many cars were imported from America (where the CX-7 began to be sold in 2006). They differ from European ones:
- speedometer in miles;
- there are no repeaters of turns in the side mirrors;
- richer configurations with a monitor and a rear-view camera.
The excitement noticeably subsided after the first two years of sales due to fairly frequent warranty cases. The main complaints and problems were related to the engine and turbine. At the end of 2009, the manufacturer released a restyled model, in which it eliminated most of the "jambs" and added several cosmetic changes. In addition, there is a choice of motors. In addition to the only 2.3-liter gasoline dorestyling engine with a turbine, a conventional atmospheric 2.5-liter and even a 2.2-liter turbodiesel appeared.
Unfortunately, the reputation has already been damaged and it was not possible to renew the interest of buyers. Therefore, in 2012, the Mazda CX-7 was replaced by the CX-5 model, which is more understandable to the general public.
The closest competitors in terms of "spirit" and price are Subaru Tribeca, Nissan Murano, etc.
Body and equipment
By the age of ten, the frankly rotten Mazda CX-7 is not yet there, but there are foci in places of chips or other damage. If the car has not yet been treated with anticorrosive, then you should definitely do this, especially the bottom and lower part of the doors. The hood and front fenders can be secured with a special armor foil. The anti-corrosion resistance of metal and the quality of paintwork in Japanese cars are traditionally at an average level.
But with the complete set of the Mazda CX-7 everything is in order. The base already has climate control and 6 airbags. A leather interior and high-quality BOSE music is found in 9 out of 10 cars. Before restyling, a monitor with a touchscreen and a rear-view camera was installed only on cars for the American market. After 2009, the CX-7 was also enriched with premium Bose Surround Sound, auto-folding mirrors and LCA blind spot tracking.
Mazda CX-7 engines
There are practically no options, the only one is the petrol 2.3 Turbo (238/260 hp). Timid attempts to add a sluggish atmospheric 2.5 liter gasoline to the range. (163 hp) were unsuccessful. A 173-horsepower 2.2-liter turbodiesel can be classified as exotic. It is very difficult to find a Mazda CX-7 with the last two motors on the secondary market.
Therefore, we will talk about the famous turbocharged 2.3 liter, which was borrowed from the Mazda 6 MPS. The motor rides well even with the weight of the crossover. But reliability turned out to be a problem. Places of increased concern:
- The turbine - according to the owners of the Mazda CX-7, it "dies" suddenly and often. But in fact, most often this is preceded by improper operation of a turbocharged engine and poor-quality maintenance.
- Timing chain - can stretch over 50,000 mileage.
- VVT-i coupling. The first sign is a crackling sound when starting the engine, in the later stages - the diesel sound of the engine. If we ignore this problem, then expensive overhaul is provided.
Be sure to listen to the engine running in a quiet place before purchasing. It should work smoothly and without any metallic sounds. White smoke from the exhaust pipe at idle means the turbine will soon "die".
It is preferable to choose a used CX-7 with a turbo timer. This at least means that the previous owner thought about the correct operation of the car. If you bought a Mazda CX-7 and do not know if you have changed the oil supply pipe to the turbine, then you must change it. It is not so expensive, but it can protect against premature turbine failure. When using low-quality oil or changing it rarely (less than once every 10,000 km), the pipe cokes and then it comes “suddenly” from the first item in the list of problem areas.
For a 2.3 engine, the engine oil consumption rate is up to 1 liter per 10,000 km. But, unfortunately, you will find out the real consumption only after the purchase. According to the owners of the Mazda CX-7, sharp oil losses are possible without triggering the sensor. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly (at least once a week) manually check the required oil level in the engine.
Paired with an automatic transmission, the engine is derated to 238 hp, with the mechanics - all 260 hp. But mechanics are rare, and are often paired with a 2.5-liter post-styled naturally aspirated engine. There are rumors about chipovka up to 270-290 hp, but the question arises - will the automatic transmission withstand such a load?
Fuel economy
The appetite of the CX-7 is excellent - rarely does anyone manage to keep within 16 liters around the city in a quiet mode. On the highway, too, less than 10-12 liters will not work. Therefore, it is quite logical that many owners began to convert their cars to gas. HBO on the Mazda CX-7 is not cheap - from $ 1000. Most often it is BRC or Zavolli, cheaper equipment "refuses" to work correctly due to the peculiarities of the model's fuel injection (direct injection).
With a high-quality installation, the owners do not note any problems with the operation of the Mazda CX-7 with HBO. Saving money on fuel in the region of 30-40%. The minimum gas consumption in the city is 15 liters of gas and 2-3 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers. Gasoline is used to cool the fuel injectors.
Gearbox and four-wheel drive
You will not have to think for a long time about choosing the type of gearbox for the Mazda CX-7. There are only three possible options:
- Rare six-speed mechanics;
- A Japanese six-speed automatic Aisin is installed on the vast majority of the CX-7;
- After restyling, paired with a 2.5-liter atmospheric engine, a five-speed automatic transmission was installed.
All boxes are very reliable, but with more than 200,000 km mileage, no one canceled normal wear and tear. Be sure to check the oil condition on the dipstick before purchasing. Black color and "burnt" smell is a reason to abandon the car or significantly reduce the price. There should be no jolts when switching either. In good working order, the "automatic" switches smoothly and imperceptibly.
According to the official Mazda maintenance regulations, an automatic transmission oil change is not provided. But to significantly extend the "life" of an automatic transmission, it is recommended to make a partial oil change every 60,000 runs. Just be careful when choosing the type of oil. It is not uncommon for even authorized dealers to fill in the "wrong" Mazda M-V or Mercon 5 oil (suitable for a five-speed). Aisin six-speed automatic transmission requires JWS3309 approval. Toyota T-IV oil is optimally suited for price and availability.
The weak point of the all-wheel drive system in the Mazda CX-7 is both gearboxes. True, the problem is not global, but it requires constant attention. They are constantly flowing, especially the front one. Replacing the oil seals does not help for long (30-40,000 km). If, when replacing the oil seals, lubricate all the joints of the two halves of the gearbox with a sealant, then this period can be extended twice. But everything is in order with reliability, fail only with a significant leakage of transmission oil. After restyling, the leak problem was fixed. 
During normal movement, the Mazda CX-7 is front-wheel drive, only when slipping, the rear is connected using a clutch. Permeability at a decent level, but without fanaticism. In winter, the high ground clearance and all-wheel drive add confidence on the road. In case of overheating, the clutch is automatically disengaged. All CX-7s with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine were front-wheel drive only. Without all-wheel drive, 2.3 turbo comes across, only from the American market.
Suspension Mazda CX-7
The undercarriage holds up pretty well on our roads, but it does it tough. After restyling, Mazda engineers reconfigured the suspension and it became noticeably more comfortable. Relative ride stiffness and excellent handling are in line with the sporty spirit of the CX-7.
The ball joint of the lower arm of the front suspension "dies" earlier than the silent blocks, and it changes only in the assembly. "Kulibins" know how to repress it, so there is a loophole in the direction of economy. Rear wheel bearings are almost in the category of consumables, they rarely last more than 60,000 mileage. But the shock absorbers regularly serve 100-150,000 km.
The front shock absorber mounts sin with extraneous sounds - creaks and rattles. Moreover, replacement with new ones solves the problem for a short time. Craftsmen have learned to make special plastic spacers. It turns out cheaper than replacement and lasts for a long time. 
Steering and brakes
Mazda is controlled clearly and in a sporty way and this unit usually does not bring problems. Even the tie rods and tips are unlikely to have to be changed more than once every 100,000 kilometers. Power steering and steering rack serve up to 200,000 km, after which restoration may be necessary. The cost for such work is within reasonable limits - $ 100-200.
The brakes are a little worse. They slow down perfectly, there are no questions here. But brake discs often "lead" from overheating. And it is not necessary for this to drive into a puddle on hot brakes. After restyling, the heat dissipation was improved and the problem was gone. Therefore, today it is no longer relevant. Is that the previous owner supplied cheap analogs. If you feel a beating in the steering wheel during braking, then "knock down" the discount on the purchase of a set of brake discs.
Minor flaws
Foggy headlights for Mazda CX-7 are normal. It is better to eliminate this disadvantage, otherwise there is a risk of failure of the xenon ignition unit (due to moisture). This can be done with two additional vents and exhaust pipes. The tubes must always be with a filter element inside to avoid dirt getting into the headlight. Look for detailed instructions on the Mazdovod forums.
In the rear lights, from constant heating, the landing bases for the bulbs often melt. It is better to install LED bulbs in advance to prevent the problem from occurring.
A lambda probe or oxygen sensor is not very durable. Signs of failure:
- traction disappears;
- copious white smoke from the exhaust pipe;
- increased gas mileage.
It is "treated" only by replacement. 
Outcome
The Mazda CX-7 is enjoyable in many ways. Appearance, space, dynamics, rich equipment. And all this stuff is offered on the secondary market for little money (compared to classmates). But you shouldn't buy this car with your last money. A safety margin is imperative. If you can find a well-groomed copy with the "correct" service, then 50-100,000 km you can drive and enjoy a successful purchase. In other cases, the Mazda CX-7 can be a beautiful burden.
Mazda cx 7 produced from 2007 to 2012, currently out of production
Mazda CX-7 a knocked-down SUV with an expressive look, in a good basic configuration, a leather interior and an automatic transmission. Mazda cx 7 was produced with engines of 2.3 and 2.5 liters, both four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, with a 2.3 engine there was only an all-wheel drive version, although all-wheel drive was connected only when the front wheels slipped.
Suspension Mazda cx 7front independent, spring, McPherson, with anti-roll bar, and rear independent, spring, multi-link, with anti-roll bar. The suspension is very stiff, you can feel every junction of the road with your back, that is, where you drove on a regular sedan and think well the road and the road, then after driving a Mazda SH7 you will feel every joint and every small hole. But it does not cause any special problems, the racks generally run 150-200 thousand km, links each 80 thousand km. It happens that the racks creak, but this is because the silent strips in the racks themselves have worn out, you will not find them in the original, but there are duplicates of these rubber bands, however, to replace, you need to remove the rack. Keep an eye on the liquid in the distributor, because after 80 thousand mileage the oil seal starts to leak, characteristic splashes will appear under the bottom near the distributor, the oil seal costs 200 rubles, its replacement is 1000 rubles, plus a liter of transmission fluid will be needed.
There are no problems with the power steering, only in the early versions the hoses themselves froze, they were changed under warranty for frost-resistant ones.
With automatic transmission Mazda CX-7 there are no special problems either, the mechanics were not installed on this car.
Wheels were installed, both 18 and 19 radius, and 19. There are problems with the choice of rubber, the range is extremely low, so its cost is high.
Now let's go to the most important unit
Mazda CX-7 engine
Engine Mazda cx 7 2.3 liters turbocharged and direct injection, Euro4, 95 gasoline, 238 horsepower. The tank is only 60 liters, and this car consumes 13.8 liters on the highway in cruise mode 99 km per hour on a flat road, it is worth going to a small hill, the consumption rises to 14.5 liters on a computer. If you drive 120 km / h, the consumption rises to 16 liters, in the city it does not work below 25 liters, and do not listen to sellers who treat about low fuel consumption. Even in the TV show TOP GIR about this car they said that it can only be driven to a gas station. But the problems are just ahead, the problems with the turbine start from 80 thousand mileage, its repair is about 40-60 thousand rubles. This engine was installed on a charged Mazda 3, where it showed itself in a not very good form, jumping of the timing chain, which leads to expensive repairs, stretching the chain, the replacement of which reaches 100 thousand rubles, and it stretches up to 100 thousand rubles. km of run.
Expensive bodywork, which makes this car stolen for parsing, so take care of the security system.
The owners of this car are faced with the problem of selling this car, it is very low liquid. Even the officials offer to trade - in for ridiculous money. Having bought this car, you must understand that you can only sell to an ignorant person. And the knowledgeable will bypass this car
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CX-7, it aroused interest not only for its novelty and stylish design, but also for its excellent technical characteristics. Good dynamics was largely due to the fact that the first Mazda CX-7 engine was exclusively turbocharged, borrowed from the "six", but brought to perfection. In terms of its power, it could compete with aspirated engines of much larger volume.
However, high productivity also had its dark sides. In particular, the tangible fuel consumption, which, when driving in the urban cycle, caused especially noticeable damage to the budget. Therefore, later the CX-7 was presented in two versions: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated and a 2.3-liter turbocharged. In economical Europe, another alternative version has appeared - diesel units with a volume of 2.2 liters. But they were not presented on the Russian market.
Specifications
The Mazda CX-7 has a 2.3-liter 238 horsepower L3-VDT engine much more often than alternative options, so its technical characteristics are often taken as a basis when describing the model. With such a motor, the car has a four-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and develops a maximum speed of 181 km / h and demonstrates the acceleration speed to "hundred parts" in 8.3 seconds. Its power, if measured in kilowatts, is kept within 175 at 5000 rpm, and the maximum torque is 350 - 380 Nm at 2500 rpm. The compression ratio is 9.5: 1.
The unit consists of four cylinders arranged in a row with a diameter of 87.5 mm each, with a piston stroke of 94 mm. As noted above, it is equipped with a turbocharging system, which serves as a source of additional power. At the same time, according to the literature, fuel consumption is about 11.5 liters per 100 kilometers along the highway, 15.3 liters per 100 kilometers in the city, and 9.3 liters when driving in a combined cycle. A key feature of the device is the direct supply of fuel to the cylinders, that is, the presence of direct injection.
As for the 2.5-liter aspirated L5-VE, its maximum power does not exceed 163 horsepower, or 120 kW, at 6000 rpm. The value of the maximum torque reaches 205 Nm at 2000 rpm. Accordingly, the maximum speed is reduced to 173 km / h, and the acceleration speed is reduced to 10.3 seconds.
The difference lies in the fact that aspirated "sevens" are produced only on the front-wheel drive, with an automatic transmission. There are also variants on the mechanic in the country, but they were not presented at official dealers. Was not presented at official dealers and Mazda CX-7 - diesel. If such cars come across on the secondary market, as a rule, they were imported into Europe without the participation of the official distributors of the concern.
Judging by the CX-7, the capacity (volume) of the engine does not directly affect the increase in its power. This is a typical situation for turbines. But at the same time, each version of the motor has its own strengths and weaknesses. In addition, the operating conditions also matter. For example, for a Mazda CX-7 with a turbocharged engine, it is important which engine oil was poured into the engine, and for an aspirated engine, how often maintenance was carried out. But this will be discussed below.
2.5 liters
In addition to the size difference, the 2.5-liter CX-7 has multipoint fuel injection. This means that electromagnetic injectors supply fuel to the intake tract ahead of the throttle valve, with a separate injector responsible for filling the manifold of one cylinder. The amount of fuel supplied is regulated by changing the duration of the open state of the injector.
Since the injection takes place in separate portions, the inertia of the injectors matters. If the engine is running at light load or at idle speed, the injection duration becomes comparable to the valve response delay time. At the same time, inertia strongly affects the operation of the unit - the accuracy of injection dosing decreases, and interruptions in the operation of the motor may occur. An additional error is introduced by a significant mileage of the car, so it must be regularly serviced.
2.3 liters
Mazda CX-7 with a 2.2-liter engine found a buyer only in Europe, with a 2.5-liter engine in America and Russia, but 2.3 liters is produced in all countries, including in the homeland of this car, which in itself characterizes it with positive side. As a rule, the special attention of engineers is paid to the configuration that the manufacturer initially provided, and it becomes a kind of demonstration car model.
However, the reviews of those who compared the 163-horsepower Mazda CX-7 with the 238-horsepower version sometimes bribe in favor of a less powerful, but more voluminous, atmospheric. It is believed that the 2.3-liter turbine engine is inferior to it due to:
- Probabilities of unexpected turbine failure.
- Relatively rapid wear of the timing belt (it stretches after 50 km of run).
- The presence of a very vulnerable VVT-i clutch, a failure of which can lead to failure of the unit.
In addition, some
