Some people like SUVs and 4x4s that look like they’ve escaped from the local military barracks – all chunky, square styling. Other people don’t: they prefer an SUV that looks sleeker and more like an average sedan, but with the capacity of an SUV to handle off-road bits when needed. And this seems to have been the design brief for that Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports, an SUV that gives you the best of both worlds, alongside modern cabin comfort and convenience.

The Classic Sports is the mid-range vehicle within the Mazda CX-7 line-up, offering more oomph and performance, plus a higher level of luxury than the Classic, but less luxury than the top-level Luxury Classic. However, the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports has the notable styling of all CX7s. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary sedan. Take a closer look and you’ll realise that this is an estate (station wagon) and an SUV to boot. That high stance and ample ground clearance is something of a giveaway! Now, if you’re looking for something to take offroad, its the ground clearance that really counts, and if you’ve got a family, the seats (five very roomy ones), the number of doors (four) and the luggage space are also the most important bits of the styling and design. However, if looks are important to you – and they are for most people – the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports comes up to scratch with a sleek silhouette and clean-looking body-coloured mirrors and door handles. The lights are particularly attractive, with both the main headlights and the low fog lights being set in a dynamic angular mounting. The Classic Sports is also unique in the Mazda CX-7 lineup (almost – the Diesel Sports model has them, too) in having 18” alloy wheels.

The engine under the smooth-looking bonnet of the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports is shared with the Luxury Sports model. Specifically, it is a punchy 2.3 litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine with DOHC. This unit has a maximum power output of 175 kW at 5000 revs, and the torque (350 Nm at 2500 rpm) is juicy enough to tow the trailer or the caravan, and to do that open-road overtaking when you need to. This is coupled to a six-speed Activematic transmission. And yes, as you probably guessed, the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports SUV has all-wheel drive for extra grip on the road as well as handling the off-road stuff.

SUVs of all shapes and sizes have to be safe, and it’s good to know that once again, the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports comes up to the mark. The active safety features (the ABS brakes, the Dynamic Stability Control, the EBD and the brake assist) all help the car’s on-road performance and handling as well as ensuring that the CX7 is a safe drive. Passive safety features – if you are unlucky enough to need them – take the shape of front, side and curtain SRS airbags, plus a super-tough protective bodyshell and front pretensioned and load-limited seat belts (three-point belts with emergency locking retractors are provided in the rear).

Many of the comfort features inside the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports work just as well off the road as well as on it, although one that is probably best kept for on the tarmac only is the cruise control. And if you’re going over really bumpy stuff, you may want to turn the audio off, as CDs have a tendency to skip when you drive over a big rock – yes, all six CDs or MP3s that the system can handle. But you may want to leave the radio on, unless you’ve gone so far off the beaten track that you’re beyond range of your favourite station. But you’ll certainly be able to make the most of the air conditioning wherever you are, and the reversing camera can be handy in avoiding rocks and trees behind you off road, just as they’re handy for avoiding tricycles and big plant pots in the driveway. The automatic on-off function of the twin headlights is also useful wherever you are.

Other interior features inside the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports include the leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, a multifunction information display panel and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.

The Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports is an SUV that gives you the best of both worlds and is sure to be a real winner, both as a family car and as a fun off-roader.

The current model series includes the:

• Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports

For any more information on the Mazda CX-7 Classic Sports, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Mazda dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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