The CX-7 represents Mazda's first foray into the booming crossover SUV market. The CX-7 slots between the smaller Tribute and flagship CX-9. Unlike its SUV siblings, the CX-7 was designed on an original Mazda platform.

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The CX-7 is set squarely against the best Japan has to offer -- Honda's CR-V, Toyota's Rav4, and Nissan's Murano. Other competition comes from the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The CX-7 has a long list of standard safety features including Anti-lock brakes with brake assist and brake force distribution, front side and side curtain airbags, as well as tire pressure monitoring and traction control systems.

The CX-7 features two engine choices, with the first being a fuel sipping 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with VVT rated at 161 horsepower, mated to a standard 5-speed automatic. The second engine offering is a sportier 2.3-liter DISI turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that cranks out a less civil 244 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The turbocharged 2.3 is mated to a silky smooth six speed automatic transmission and yields 18 city, and 25 highway in front wheel drive form, and 17 city, 23 highway in AWD form.

Like other Mazda models, both automatic transmissions are equipped with a sport shift mode which allows the driver to select gears manually.

Mazda offers four trim levels for the CX-7: i SV, i Sport, s Touring and s Grand Touring.

The base model i SV and i Sport both feature the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive form -- producing 20/28 city and highway EPA estimated miles per gallon. The i SV comes with 17-inch wheels, remote entry, 6-way adjustable driver's seat, ambient temperature display, auxiliary input and MP3 compatible stereo. The i Sport comes with the standard equipment found on the i SV, plus a power sliding-glass moonroof, 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and Bluetooth compatibility.

Graduating to the s Touring model provides a significant change in standard equipment -- including a switch to the turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine, mated to a 6-speed transmission and available active torque split AWD. The s Sport also features standard 18-inch wheels, leather-trimmed seats, a retractable cargo cover and Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound over the i Sport trim level.

The most luxurious CX-7 s Grand Touring trim level rewards its owner with amenities such as 19-inch wheels, Xenon High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) headlights, halogen fog lights, heated mirrors, rain sensing wipers, keyless entry and remote start, electroluminescent gauges and a compact navigation system.

All variations of the Mazda CX-7 CUV will deliver its occupants to their destination in style and safety, with five-star frontal and side-impact crash test ratings from the NHTSA.