Review of the new Mazda CX-7

The prospects of the original version of the Mazda CX-7 in the UK were crippled by its powerful but thirsty petrol engine. Now there's a more manageable diesel in situ and Mazda's compact 4x4 rivals have a much tougher competitor on their hands. Other modifications have stiffened the body and upgraded the interior, while the CX-7's high equipment levels remain.

Sometimes, cars arrive in UK showrooms that are destined to be overwhelmingly ignored by the car buying public. When such a vehicle arrives, the press know it, the dealers know it and, assuming they've done a modicum of research beforehand, the public know it. Even the manufacturer knows it but will have weighed up the situation and for a variety of plausible reasons, decided to go ahead anyway. In 2007, the Mazda CX-7 was just such a car. It was an impressive crossover 4x4, tightly priced and extremely well equipped. It was fast too. In fact, there was very little cause to dislike the CX-7, until you totted up the fuel and tax bills generated by its 258bhp turbocharged engine.

Conceived primarily for the American market where 27mpg economy is enough to get you complementary membership of Greenpeace and an invite to Al Gore's house for fruit tea and lentil burgers, the CX-7 always looked in dire need of a diesel engine to UK eyes. Sales were slow as a result but now that the all-important oil-burner has arrived, Mazda will be looking for the CX-7 value proposition to start bringing home the bacon.

While its fellow Japanese manufacturers were in the vanguard of the UK's burgeoning market for lifestyle 4x4s, Mazda has tinkered around the edges. The forgettable Tribute and a series of rough and ready pick-up trucks were about the size of its involvement until the CX-7 came along. Environmental considerations may mean that the market for road-going 4x4 vehicles isn't burgeoning in the way it was but with the aid of diesel power, the CX-7 should finally have the capacity to eat into the sales of rival models like the Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

"Its 171bhp diesel is more muscular than many of the engines employed elsewhere in the sector.."

The CX-7's barnstorming 258bhp 2.3-litre engine continues to be available in certain markets but just like the overwhelming majority of UK buyers did, we're going to ignore it - concentrating instead on the 2.2-litre common-rail turbo diesel. It's a 171bhp unit which means it's still more muscular than many of the engines employed elsewhere in the sector. There's a whopping 400Nm of torque to call upon from 2,000rpm, so even stepping straight from the petrol model, nobody's going to complain that the sensible CX-7 is underpowered. The bald statistics are less impressive. There's an 11.3s 0-60mph time and a 124mph top speed, but the mid-range urge from all that torque should define the driving experience in a positive way for most.

The CX-7's other ace in the hole is that it gives only the merest nod to the concept of off-road ability, preferring instead to concentrate its efforts on the tarmac ride and handling that owners will experience day to day. There's four-wheel-drive, Mazda's Active Torque-Split system no less, but the CX-7 is no mud-plugger. Its low ride height and lack of body protection see to that. What you do get is enhanced grip and ability in slippery conditions as the 4x4 system automatically distributes torque to the axle that can best use it. There's also fully-independent suspension to bring added finesse to the drive.

The CX-7 will net some sales purely on the basis of the way it looks. Probably the most striking aspect of the car is the steeply-raked windscreen. Most SUVs have a rather bluff frontal aspect but the CX-7 has the sort of screen angle that wouldn't look out of place on a Lamborghini. The overall effect is to give the Mazda a very sleek, purposeful look and to instantly rid you of any possible notion that the thing should be taken off-road. The latest models feature a lower bumper and a front end dripping in Mazda design cues. There's also an enlarged air-intake shaped into a crazed grin to help the diesel engine breathe.

Space in the rear is adequate but the rear seats aren't endowed with any sliding or reclining features. At least they do fold forward to form a flat load floor. Efforts have been made to upgrade the interior quality on today's cars. There are some stylish tweaks to the instrument cluster and a revised Multi-information display that's located for easier reading. Lots of the trim materials look and feel a cut above those present when the CX-7 first arrived on UK shores.

Despite having a full-time 4x4 system up its sleeve, the CX-7 makes no pretence at having any off-road ability. It's in contrast to many other 4x4 models with less capable mechanicals that go the whole nine yards with their roof-rails and body-cladding in an effort to project a macho image. When it was originally launched with a powerful petrol engine, the CX-7 was compared to crossover 4x4s like the Nissan Murano but now that there's a diesel engine under the bonnet, the car should be a much more attractive option for mainstream compact 4x4 buyers who might be considering a RAV4 or an X-Trail.

CX-7 customers have always received a lot of equipment for their money and nothing is set to change in that regard. A single Sport Tech model is being offered here, equipped with a large rear spoiler, 19-inch alloy wheels and Xenon headlights. Inside, you'll find leather seats, climate control air-conditioning, cruise control, electric front and rear windows, electric driver's and front passenger's heated seats, a bespoke premium surround sound audio system with 6-CD autochanger and nine speakers, plus integrated satellite navigation and Bluetooth technology (that enables wireless operation of both mobile phones and playing MP3 devices through the car's audio system).

Its use of diesel power has hardly turned the CX-7 into an environmental crusader but its 37.7mpg economy and 199g/km emissions are a big improvement and not too bad for a 4x4 vehicle this size. Mazda has also fitted SCR Selective Catalytic Reduction technology to lower emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides. The system uses AdBlue, an ammonia solution, which it injects into its exhaust gasses where it causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the NOx into harmless nitrogen and oxygen.

Without a diesel engine, the Mazda CX-7 was a lame duck on the UK market, so now that it has one, is there to be a dramatic transformation in its fortunes? The 2.2-litre oil-burner is punchy and markedly more economical but is unlikely to propel the CX-7 majestically to the top of the compact 4x4 heap. What it will do is put the Mazda in the mix for buyers seeking compact 4x4 vehicles, Its focus on on-road performance, high specification and sporty looks will make it the perfect fit for some.