2010 Mazda CX-7 Diesel

2010 Mazda CX-7 Diesel has a sporty style and a good chassis tuning but Mazda has a small problem with its rakish, buttoned-down CX-7 crossover with the 244hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. With more than 3900 lb to haul around, the tightly wound turbo-four sucks gas like a six. The EPA mpg rating for the all-wheel drive CX-7s is an unremarkable 17/23 city/highway.

The diesel CX-7 feels more alert, yet paradoxically, more relaxed, an ideal combination for a crossover. Mazda claims the 170hp, 2.2-liter MZR-CD common-rail turbodiesel-powered CX-7 takes about 11.0 seconds to get to 60 mph. That�s a second longer than the CX-7i, and 3.3 seconds longer than the Grand Touring. So it�s far from offering the best of both worlds.

After a brief drive of the CX-7 diesel in Switzerland a couple of weeks back, we�re convinced a U.S.-spec CX-7 diesel has the potential to be one of those rare vehicles that is greater than the sum of its parts. It�s not just the gas mileage. It�s the torque. With 295 lb-ft on tap at just 2000 rpm, the MZR-CD delivers the sort of meaty launch feel American consumers love. While the 2.3-liter gas turbo, which has 258 lb-ft available at 2500 rpm, delivers a distinct pause-two-three sensation as it spools up from idle, the diesel delivers useable grunt the moment you squeeze the accelerator pedal.