With the silly season upon us, many manufacturers are sprucing up their model line-ups in the hopes of selling a few more cars before year-end. Who can blame them? Going on your annual vacation is just so much better when you’re doing it in a new set of wheels!

Mazda’s CX-7 crossover SUV is the latest to go under the Botox needle and now sports a much fresher appearance thanks to a large five-point grille that gives the CX-7 a much more purposeful, dynamic stance. Thick-looking chrome-plating details further express the vehicle’s pemium identity while a new design for the front foglamp bezels create a strong visual flow that gives the CX-7 an overall more powerful, athletic look and stance.

The refreshed model’s cabin include a sporty design for the steering wheel that replaces the round hooter button of the previous model and integrated switches that allow the driver to operate controls while gripping the rim. The larger roof of the distinctive double-roof instrument panel features a gently undulating shape with the newly adopted multi-information display (MID) positioned in the centre.

The facelifted CX-7 has an extensive standard equipment package: in-dash 6-disc CD player with MP3 capability, remote central locking, cruise control and an anti-theft alarm system. The MID displays trip computer readouts, alerts and alarms such as maintenance and service interval reminders as well as tyre rotation reminders along with other essential information to support the driver as required. New leather seats with front seat heating come standard across the range.

Additional luxury features available in the top of the range 2.3 DISI Turbo model includes a rear-view monitor system which helps the driver park and drive safely in reverse, a Bose premium audio system with Centerpoint surround sound and nine speakers, Xenon headlamps with auto levelling and headlamp washers, electric sliding glass sunroof and rain sensing wipers.

The CX-7 adopts Mazda’s MZR 2.5-litre engine, which can also be found in the Mazda6 and Mazda3, and is known for its excellent fuel economy and drivability. The 2.5-litre DOHC inline-4 cylinder engine delivers 120kW at 6 000rpm and offers maximum torque of 205Nm at 3 500rpm. By coupling this engine to a light-weight, efficient, five-speed Activematic transmission and utilizing a front-wheel-drive layout, this new powertrain combination promises to return excellent fuel economy figures.

The award-winning 2.3-litre DISI turbo engine remains an integral part of the range and is engineered to deliver high performance at all engine and road speeds, along with low exhaust emissions and good fuel economy. It develops 175kW at 5 000rpm and 350Nm of torque at only 2 500rpm. More than 90% of the engine’s maximum torque is available between 2 000 and 5 000 rpm, with crisp gear shifts thanks to the six-speed Activematic transmission.

The Active Torque-Split All-Wheel-Drive system uses a computer-controlled coupling integrated with the rear differential to deliver up to half the available torque to the rear wheels on demand. Sensors monitor engine information, individual wheel speeds, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) operation, and the CX-7’s standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system to optimize torque distribution. Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and a Traction Control System (TCS) come as standard across the range. Whether the driving conditions are dry and fast or slippery and moderately paced, exceptional stability is assured.

The CX-7 has service intervals stationed every 15 000km on the 2.5-litre derivative and 10 000km on the 2.3 DISI turbo model. An impressive four-year/120 000 km fully comprehensive manufacturer warranty, as well as the MazdaMotion five-year/100 000 km service plan and a three-year roadside assistance plan comes standard with the purchase of the CX-7. The 2.5 Dynamic is priced at R333 700, with the 2.3 DISI turbo Individual at R433 500.

With striking styling that belies its SUV architecture and performance and handling to match, the refreshed Mazda CX-7 will undoubtedly make a good companion over the December holidays. It will certainly keep your neighbours talking!

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