While we were gathered here in rainy Chicago for the Auto Show, we received word that the 2010 refresh for the Mazda CX-7 has in fact debuted some 500 miles away in Toronto, Canada. This switcheroo had us searching the floor here in McCormick for a 2010 model lazing away in the corner of Mazda's stand, but instead we only found the 2009 model. After the press conference, we stopped to chat with James O'Sullivan, Mazda's North American president and CEO, and he confirmed the Canadian debut was in fact the global premier.

The big news coming out of the Canadian International Auto Show for 2010 is that the CX-7 is getting a new 2.5-liter normally-aspirated four-cylinder model (the same engine is employed in the 2010 Mazda6 and Mazda3). So-equipped, the CX-7 generates 161 horsepower (at 6000 rpm) and maximum torque of 161 pound-feet of torque (at 3500 rpm). The turbocharged, 244-horsepower 2.3-liter engine remains unchanged. Further details like fuel-economy, price, and trim specification for this model will be revealed "at a later date," and in fact there is no official confirmation that the normally-aspirated inline-four will come to America, although it would be hard to imagine Mazda not doing so.

Beyond powertrains, Mazda has refined the CX-7 inside-and-out, including a redesigned front end with a larger five-point grille and different front and rear fascias. Inside, new gauge faces have taken up residence, along with a 4.1-inch color TFT information display, an available blind-spot monitoring system, three-position seat memory for the driver's seat (and a power backrest for the passenger seat), and Bluetooth for both phones and audio.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/11/2...der-in-toronto

 

That's going to be a good rental car, I'll try to request it when it's available.

 

Holy big mouth grill.

 

lol exterior looks worse. what is mazda thinking with the smiling cars!

 

I love the styling, but I would hope the turbo model would rid itself of that awful turbo lag. I used to think it was something with the altitude back in Mexico City, but then I took a test drive here and same story.

 

Wow, the new Mazda 3 and CX-7 grilles are just awful. Look like they stretched the design cues out way too far and then got too lazy to fix it.

 

I think Mazda is setting up themselves up for best smiles for a car.

 

This whole "prominent" grill thing is getting out of hand. I hope it runs its course soon.

 

I think the styling is fine on a SUV. On their cars, it looks horrid.

 

I'd take the current Mazda5 instead....(until they ruin this grill)

 

Still not appealing

 

Those are supposed to look like fish gills maybe.

And don't expect this thing to be quick with that normally aspirated 4 banger, but it might be quicker than a 4 banger Highlander or Venza.