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The Mazda CX-7 is a five-passenger midsize crossover SUV. Those familiar with Mazda’s product line might recognize the CX-7’s design cues right away. There are bits of the RX-8 and Miata spread throughout the four-door crossover’s squat body. Instead of infusing the standard SUV body shape with sporty characteristics, Mazda began with a sports coupe design as its baseline and then inflated it into a more functional and rugged vehicle.

The stylish interior also reflects the Mazda CX-7’s sporty inspiration. The steering wheel and instrument cluster look like they’re straight from the RX-8. The gearbox is positioned high on the center console to mimic the proximity of a sports car’s shifter to the steering wheel. The layout also allows for a capacious center storage compartment, which is big enough for a laptop or purse.

The CX-7 has an especially long wheelbase, which translates into ample legroom and headroom inside the cabin. A rear hatch allows access to 29.9 cubic feet of trunk space. The rear seats fold down with a 60/40 split, creating 58.6 cubic feet of cargo room and 70 inches of flat floor.

Although the Mazda CX-7 has three trim levels — Sport, Touring and Grand Touring — there is no mechanical or performance difference among the three. The sole powertrain makes an impressive 244 horsepower and 258 pound-feet from a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, and AWD is available as an option. Other standard equipment includes cruise control; 18-inch wheel and tires; ABS brakes; traction control; stability control and power windows, locks and mirrors.

The wealth of standard features in the base Sport trim means that the extras in Touring and Grand Touring trims are primarily luxury items, such as leather seats and front seat heaters. Option packages include a moonroof and Bose Audio Package, which includes a nine-speaker Bose audio system with an in-dash six-CD changer. A Technology Package features satellite navigation, a rearview camera and a voice control system.

In road tests and comparison tests, our editors have commented that the Mazda CX-7 is a crossover SUV geared for the enthusiast driver. Although it doesn’t have tremendous off-the-line acceleration — due to its curb weight of close to 4000 pounds — the turbocharged engine still provides good power. The chassis and suspension have been tuned perfectly. Unlike many of its competitors, the CX-7 feels stable under aggressive driving and cornering situations. At the same time, it’s able to maintain a decent ride quality. Four ventilated disc brakes also give the CX-7 outstanding braking ability.

The two most common criticisms among our editors were regarding fuel. The Mazda CX-7 has relatively poor fuel mileage and the turbo engine requires expensive premium fuel.