Model Year Matters

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2011 Mazda CX-7

Crossover · 2010–2012

Which year to buy

Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest Newest we'd buy2012The latest year rated a good buy AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.

2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage

109 serious complaints of 153, the most about suspension (51) and air bags (42); 1.0× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 4 recalls.

What owners report

“The contact owns a 2011 mazda cx-7. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v356000 (air bags) and 16v593000 (suspension); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the suspension, Feb 2017

“The contact owns a 2011 mazda cx-7. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v356000 (air bags) and 16v593000 (suspension); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”

An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Feb 2017

Fixes and extended coverage

  • Extended coverage Subject: - Takata Inflator Special Service Program (Extended Warranty) Special Service Program SSPB3: In December 2017 Special Service Program SSPB3 - Takata Inflator Extended Warranty was announced. The extended warranty was a result of the Takata airbag inflator class action settlement. (SSPB3, May 2021)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

153 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–23 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features

Every CX-7 year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

201020112012

What changed for 2011

2011 CX-7 trims

i Sporti SVi Tourings Grand Tourings Touring
Price
Starting MSRP$22,795$21,990$26,390$33,340$27,955
Powertrain
EngineMZR 2.5LMZR 2.5LMZR 2.5LMZR 2.3L DISI TurboMZR 2.3L DISI Turbo
Horsepower161 hp161 hp161 hp244 hp244 hp
Torque161 lb-ft161 lb-ft161 lb-ft258 lb-ft258 lb-ft
Transmission5-speed Sport automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic and manual-shift mode5-speed Sport automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic and manual-shift mode5-speed Sport automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic and manual-shift mode6-speed Sport automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic and manual-shift mode6-speed Sport automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic and manual-shift mode
Gears55566
DrivetrainFwdFwdFwdAWD / FWDAWD / FWD
Size and capability
Seats55555
Max towing1,500 lb1,500 lb1,500 lb2,000 lb2,000 lb
Cargo behind last row29.9 cu ft29.9 cu ft29.9 cu ft29.9 cu ft29.9 cu ft
Max cargo58.6 cu ft58.6 cu ft58.6 cu ft58.6 cu ft58.6 cu ft
Ground clearance8.1 in8.1 in8.1 in8.2 in8.2 in
Length184.3 in184.3 in184.3 in184.3 in184.3 in
Curb weight3,496 lb3,496 lb3,496 lbAWD: 4,001 lb
FWD: 3,787 lb		AWD: 4,001 lb
FWD: 3,787 lb
Tech
Touchscreen3.5 in3.5 in4.1 in4.1 in3.5 in
Apple CarPlayOptionalOptional——Optional
Android AutoOptionalOptional——Optional
Audio——BoseBoseOptional
Speakers44994 + option
Driver assistance
Blind-spot monitoring———Blind Spot Alert—
Comfort
SeatsCloth + optionCloth + optionLeather + optionLeather + optionLeather + option
Heated seatsOptional—FrontFrontFront
Driver seat memory———Driver Seat—
Second rowSplit BenchSplit BenchSplit BenchSplit BenchSplit Bench
Exterior
SunroofOptional—Tilt/Slide MoonroofTilt/Slide MoonroofOptional
Wheels17 in17 in17 in19 in18 in
HeadlightsHalogenHalogenHalogenHID ProjectorHalogen
Packages and options (55)
i Sporti SVi Tourings Grand Tourings Touring
Convenience Package $1,750Optional————
Touring Technology Package $2,185——StandardStandardOptional
Bike Carrier, Trailer Hitch Mount OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Bike Carrier, Roof Rack OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Car Cover OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Car Cover Cable Lock OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cargo Box, Medium OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cargo Box, Short OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Fog Lights $425OptionalOptionalOptionalStandardOptional
Front Mask OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Hood Bug Deflector OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Kayak Carrier OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
License Plate Frames (CX-7 or Zoom-Zoom) OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Moonroof Wind Deflector $70Optional—OptionalOptionalOptional
Rear Bumper Guard $125OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Rear Spoiler $400OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Roof Luggage Basket OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Roof Rack OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Scuff Plates $145OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Ski/Snowboard Carrier OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Splash Guards, Front and Rear $150OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Surfboard Carrier OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Touch-Up Paint OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Trailer Receiver Hitch, Class II $335OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Wheel Locks $50OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
All Weather Floor Mats $80OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Ashtray OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cargo Carrier, Collapsible OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cargo Net $50OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cargo Tray $70OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Cigarette Lighter OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Compass Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror $200OptionalOptionalOptional—Optional
Compass Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink $275OptionalOptionalOptionalStandardOptional
First Aid Kit OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Remote Engine Start $350OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Retractable Cargo Cover (Black or Sand) $125OptionalOptionalOptionalStandardStandard
Roadside Assistance Kit OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Windshield Sunscreen OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Bluetooth Hands Free Device (Motorola T305) StandardOptionalStandardStandardStandard
DVD Entertainment System (Overhead Type) $1,200OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
iPod Integration Module OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Portable Navigation Device (by Garmin) OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
SIRIUS Satellite Radio with 6-Month Subscription $430OptionalOptionalStandardStandardOptional
3.5mm Audio Cable OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Rear View Camera $665OptionalOptionalStandardStandardOptional
Black Cherry Mica OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Brilliant Black Clearcoat OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Copper Red Mica OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Crystal White Pearl Mica OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Liquid Silver Metallic OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Stormy Blue Mica OptionalOptionalOptionalOptionalOptional
Black Cloth OptionalOptional———
Black Leather ——OptionalOptionalOptional
Sand Cloth OptionalOptional———
Sand Leather ——OptionalOptionalOptional

Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Oem press release, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.

Year by year

YearEnginesDriveFuel economyCrash ratingRecalls Owner complaintsMost-reported problemCarPlay
2012 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
2.5L 4-cyl		4WD, FWD19–22 mpg Not rated 4 39 Suspension (14) —
2011 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
2.5L 4-cyl		4WD, FWD19–23 mpg Not rated 4 153 Suspension (51) —
2010 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
2.5L 4-cyl		4WD, FWD19–23 mpg Not rated 5 155 Suspension (52) —

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

AWD or 4WDBlind-spot monitoringHeated front seatsLeather seatsSunroof or moonroof
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
YearVersionStarsForward collision warning Lane departure warningRecallsComplaints
2012 Mazda CX-7 SUV AWDNot Rated NoNo 439
2012 Mazda CX-7 SUV FWDNot Rated NoNo 439
2011 Mazda CX-7 SUV AWDNot Rated NoNo 4153
2011 Mazda CX-7 SUV FWDNot Rated NoNo 4153
2010 Mazda CX-7 4-DR. w/SABNot Rated NoNo 5155

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
YearEPA modelEnginesCombined
2012CX-7 2WDAuto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo		 20–22
2012CX-7 4WDAuto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo 19
2011CX-7 2WDAuto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo		 20–23
2011CX-7 4WDAuto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo 19
2010CX-7 2WDAuto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo		 21–23
2010CX-7 4WDAuto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo 19

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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