The Japanese company is not cooperating with Ford anymore. Mazda doesn’t have a strong partner anymore, but it opens new horizons. A few new models are already announced. Besides a more capable pickup truck, the 2022 Mazda CX-7 might also be back. The nameplate was used during a six-year run between 2006 and 2012. After the discontinuation, many experts and enthusiasts saw it coming back pretty soon with the expansion of the SUV market.
But, the carmaker had other priorities. The lineup is stacked with different models. The CX-5 is a compact crossover, while the CX-9 is a three-row mid-size SUV. We can see the 2022 Mazda CX-7 fitting between these two. As its name suggests, that would be the best place. A mid-size two-row SUV is a vacant spot. On the other hand, having in mind how did the CX-7 look like before, the new model might be a coupe-SUV.
Some reports are bringing theories about similarities between the 2022 Mazda CX-7 and CX-8, the SUV which is exclusively coming out in Japan. Plus, there are rumors coming from the Australian department the company might bring the CX-7 back. Having all this in mind, we decided to check out speculations and try to understand if the return is possible.
Perfect Timing
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the automotive industry. The recovery goes well and companies are preparing new models. Some big carmakers had to delay already finished products. So, the offer will be greater and the demand is not as high as it used to be. Of course, some companies gave up on their plans and projects.
Now, it will be perfect for Mazda to introduce a new vehicle. The Japanese company already plans to build a next-gen BT50 truck with a new powertrain. A turbodiesel is not coming to the US. But, the pickup might be here with some of the SkyActiv engines.
Another move we could see is a debut of the 2022 Mazda CX-7. The CX-9 is 200 inches long, nearly as some full-size SUVs. There is room between this one and the CX-5. Mid-size two-row SUVs are still pretty popular, offering plenty of space for five passengers, and still keeping good driving skills and fuel economy thanks to the lighter body.
2022 Mazda CX-7 Engine, Diesel, Hybrid
A 2.5-liter is a main source of power for Mazda vehicles in the US. For the compact CX-5, the engine is good for 187 horsepower. In the CX-9, the same drivetrain is turbocharged and delivers 225 horsepower. Use a premium fuel, and the output jumps to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. This is a slightly underperforming output for the three-row SUV, but it seems perfect for the position the 2022 Mazda CX-7 is about to take.
Since the SUV was rumored to be available soon in Australia, a diesel engine is another option. The SkyActiv-D technology makes oil burners cleaner. A 2.2-liter turbodiesel is good for 175 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Depending on CX-7 dimensions and weight, the engine could make it pretty efficient, with gas mileage over 30 mpg.
Finally, hybrids are cool nowadays. Carmakers are investing big money into electrification and Mazda definitely needs to jump on this bandwagon. Cleaner engines are the first step to the zero-emission world. Tesla, Ford, Nissan, are already there. Soon, we will see more debuts by leading companies in the automotive industry. Mazda will have to keep the pace.
2022 Mazda CX-7 Styling
We already expect to see the 2022 Mazda CX-7 as the mid-size SUV with two rows of seats. Its name and previous appearance are the reasons why fans are sure this is going to be an outcome. But, there are some speculations telling the Japanese company is ready to test a new world of SUVs. That is the coupe class. For now, there are very few carmakers that opted to produce such vehicles. The best-known are coming from Germany – BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, and Porsche Cayenne. The combination of this body line and a hybrid engine would be the perfect match, which will draw the attention of younger buyers. Well, Mazda is well-known for its eye-catching design, so there are no doubts the CX-7 is going to be as attractive as its siblings.
Release Date and Price
Everything about the 2022 Mazda CX-7 is still a rumor. The only reports about the comeback are coming from Australia, and that doesn’t necessarily mean the SUV is coming to the US as well. It might be a special vehicle for certain markets, like the CX-8, produced only for Japanese customers. Anyway, the upgrade of the lineup is needed and the return of the old nameplate perfectly fits into the lineup that uses only odd numbers. As the position in the squad, the price will also be between CX-5 and CX-9.
