“A big, angry RX-8.” That’s how designers of the 2007 Mazda CX-7 describe their creation. The vehicle’s program manager, Shunsuke Kawasaki, suggests that his goal was to “make the nicest SUV in the North American market, an SUV with the soul of a sports car.” To do so, he and his team attempted to blend sports car attributes – speed, athleticism, and driving pleasure – with SUV traits – sturdiness, practicality, and a commanding view of the road. The result is the CX-7, or what is referred to internally as the Metropolitan Hawk.

Look at the CX-7 head on and you can clearly see the RX-8’s influence, from the large air intakes to the exaggerated front shoulders. On the outer edges are sculpted headlights, and behind it all is a steeply-raked windshield that makes the SUV look fast even when it’s sitting still. Move along to the flanks to discover sleek body panels curving out just a bit above the rockers, flared rear wheels that are much less prominent than those up front, and a greenhouse that correspondingly diminishes with the rise of the beltline. The rear roofline mimics that of the Infiniti FX as it slopes down near the tail, and the view straight from the back looks a bit like a Porsche Cayenne thanks to a wide body that slopes inward at the pillars. Final touches include clear taillight lenses and dual chrome exhaust pipes. A bumper step pad, most useful in preventing scratches on top of the rear bumper, is optional. Exterior build quality was up to par on our CX-7 test car, evidenced by tight gaps and aligned body panels.

Inside, the blending of sport and utility continues. The small, leather-wrapped steering wheel has been borrowed from the MX-5 and includes controls for the radio. The gauge cluster is prominently displayed and ringed in silver, as are the instrument panel and shift knob. Piano black accents come with the upper trim levels, but all models get a display screen for the radio and climate controls above the instrument panel. The dash has upper and lower sections, the upper hard plastic and the lower slightly rubberized, each with a different grain. There’s yet another pattern for the hard plastic used on the gauge cluster and door switch panels. Interestingly, the pieces used on the upper doors are the same for all four doors, but the front doors get a hint of padding while the rear doors are treated to rock-solid plastic. Couple that with the flimsy door panels and the stiff leather upholstery and it’s easy to see where Mazda did its cost cutting. Interior storage has its pros and cons, pros being the front armrest spacious enough for most laptops or purses, and cons being the dearth of rear seat storage. The cargo area is accessed through a large opening and is roomy with the rear seats folded nearly flat, though a few tie downs and the reversible load floor are the only tricks this dog has – there are no hidden cubbies or special touches. However, the rear seats fold even when the front buckets are pushed all the way back.