The Mazda CX-7 was developed out of the acclaimed MX-Crossport design study shown at the Detroit Motor Show in 2005, which inherited design cues from Mazda’s sports models like the RX-8 and Mazda6 MPS, and combined them with SUV attributes. As a result, Mazda CX-7 has a truly sporty character that is immediately obvious the moment you see it.

Its front end design is inspired by a styling heritage that has matured over more than 10 years and began with the concept-car RX-01 in 1995. It communicates a clear Mazda family identity with a large lower air intake, a small upper grille, deep press lines articulating sides of the bonnet and powerful front fenders. Mazda CX-7’s silhouette is dominated by an A-pillar angled at 66° and a front windscreen that is more raked than many sports cars. This delivers a sweeping roofline that rises smoothly to the B-pillar, where it then breaks slightly downward into the D-pillar and rear spoiler.

Below this is a kick-up belt line and large, prominent fenders over 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R18 tyres, that give Mazda CX-7 an aggressive road stance. The vehicle’s short rear end has classic sports car design elements like two large tailpipes, overlapping round tail lamps and a rear end roof spoiler. A new front bumper was also created for the European version, which allows excellent aerodynamic attributes. Specific exterior design elements introduced for the European version include the new front bumper, plus front and rear fog lamps, headlight washer and rear mud flap.

These design features are realised with a further improvement in exterior fit and finish. Solid build quality is evident in minimal gaps: approximately 1.2 mm between the front lamps/front bumper and rear lamps/rear bumper for instance, while the gap between the front doors and fender panels is approximately 3.5 mm. Insightful detailing, like a side sill flange covered with a side sill garnish, along with front windshield wiper nozzles neatly integrated into the front cowl, improve Mazda CX-7’s overall look of solid build quality.

Aerodynamic Designing
Mazda CX-7’s exterior design not only looks sporty and strong, it also delivers excellent aerodynamic performance that contributes to straight-line stability and low wind noise. To achieve these goals, the shape of the side corner of the front bumper, the rear side corner, the cross-section of the A-pillar, the door mirrors and the roof’s rear-end lip were designed to lower aerodynamic drag and to control air swirl along the sides and at the back of the vehicle.

A special front bumper is introduced for Europe, with an optimised lip spoiler. This is combined with front and rear flow deflectors ahead of each tyre, a large undercover for the engine bay, a side sill garnish, and an optimised positioning of the rear silencer, all of which controls air flow under the vehicle and reduces drag and lift. The result of these measures is a Cd value of only 0.34, which is outstanding for a SUV in this segment (typically they range between 0.35 to over 0.40).

Crossover Design Philosophy
Through the development concept “Sports Crossover SUV”, under the leadership of Chief Designer Iwao Koizumi, his team began by consolidating the definition and image of a sports car. Koizumi had young designers get together and think about all the design themes that make a person feel, “This is a sports car”. It is interesting to note that the images produced by them clearly drew a lot of influence from Europe, where there is a well-known and enduring tradition of sports cars. Koizumi’s team skilfully blended them with Mazda’s sports car design heritage.

Notes Koizumi, “I believe that through our research we managed to come up with a universal definition of a sports car that would be loved by drivers around the world and I also believe this is deeply connected to the successful design of the Mazda CX-7. We combined dynamic movement and a bold presence in one passionate statement and we created a new concept “Sports Crossover SUV”.

Interior Design
On the inside, Mazda CX-7 features sporty appeal combined with SUV roominess and high levels of craftsmanship and quality. A unique feature of the interior is a smooth continuous flowing line in its low-gloss, two-tone trim that extends from the front to the rear of the cabin. This mirrors the kick-up belt line of the exterior and breaks from the common convention to separate the cabin trim from the luggage space trim, by extending the ‘fl ow’ all the way back, giving the whole passenger cell a sporty atmosphere.

Another sporty touch is Mazda CX-7’s double-roof instrument panel with a full-width hood over the entire dashboard, shading an information display, and an additional hood over the driver’s instrument cluster. The design of this three-dial cluster continues the sporty theme with the left and right instruments in half oval shapes wrapped around the circular speedometer (scaled to 240 km/h) placed in middle and angled towards the driver. The distinctive ‘red-on-black’ dials are easy to read in all lighting conditions. CX-7’s large centre stack panel extends down so that it almost touches the top of the high floor console with gear shift lever, creating a wrap-around feel to the driving position, similar to a sports car.

These design features are carried out with high levels of craftsmanship and quality feel. Mazda CX-7’s dashboard, centre stack panel and trim materials are chosen to feel firm and smooth for consistency throughout the cabin area. They have high quality graining that, when combined with silver accents throughout the cabin – including frames for the instrument panel, centre stack and floor console – quality Seat materials, black and beige interior colour schemes (depending on grade and market), and a leather steering wheel similar to Mazda’s sport icon MX-5, leather shift knob, door trim and centre armrest (depending on grade), all add a strong note of sophistication.