Interior: The dashboard and trim seem nicer than you’d expect at this price, with sporty and straightforward gauges, well-organized controls and a huge, two-level console.

The nicely organized dashboard has an information center at top that includes the rear-view camera image. (Photo: Mazda)

A small horizontal screen up on the upper dash displays critical information (such as radio station) and includes the video screen for the backup camera. A nice, unobtrusive setup.

Space up front is good, with supportive, comfortable seats, but rear-seat passengers might feel cramped. This is a compact vehicle, after all, and the sloping roof doesn’t help the headroom any.

The Sport test car came with a good contingent of standard features, with an SV model slotted in as the budget version. Options on the tester included a convenience package of rearview camera, sunroof, power driver seat, heated front seats and automatic climate control, at $1,780, and sundry other inexpensive items.

One option that I would recommend is the $1,200 audio-system upgrade. The standard system was a disappointment, even equipped with optional satellite radio at $430.

Bottom Line: Prices start at $21,550 for the SV model, with the Sport test car starting at $22,340 and topping out at $25,990 with options and shipping. That’s a decent price for such a sharp-looking, drivable and versatile crossover as the CX-7.

The turbo models, all dubbed Touring, start at $25,800 for the base FWD and reach $32,885 for the AWD Grand Touring.

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door crossover, front-wheel drive.
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4, 161 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, 161 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.
Transmission: Five-speed automatic.
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches.
Overall length: 184.3 inches.
Curb weight: 3,496 pounds.
EPA fuel mileage: 20 city, 28 highway.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEEDtv.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, who has driven and evaluated essentially every new vehicle sold in the United States. A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle, he annually attends and writes about Arizona's famous January collector-car auctions, focusing on Scottsdale’s monumental Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. SPEEDtv.com fans email veteran Automotive Editor Bob Golfen at