Crossover sport utility vehicles really strive to mesh the best features of a car with the best features of a SUV. Mazda’s CX-7, which debuted in the 2007 model year, rates as a good example of an appropriate blending of car and SUV. The vehicle’s 66-degree windshield angle equates to a rather unconventional crossover appearance. That’s a nifty styling cue and it helps the vehicle achieve a best-in-class 0.34 coefficient of drag. Beyond the non-boring styling, CX-7 offers up some SUV-like cargo space with about 39 inches of flat load space when the rear seats are upright and about 70 inches of flat surface when the seats are folded down. If the cargo haul is going to be a bit goopy, the vehicle’s reversible trunk board can be put plastic-side upward. CX-7 is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Touring and the top-of-the-line Grand Touring. Mazda CX-7 is powered by a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 244 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 258 pounds-feet of torque at 2500 rpm. (NOTE: For 2008, the re-programmed engine gets a new catalyst, which makes premium fuel a recommendation rather than a requirement.) The engine mates to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front wheel drive or active torque-split all wheel drive are the driveline choices. The front suspension is an independent MacPherson strut-type with coil spring and stabilizer bar while the rear suspension is an independent multi-link type coil spring and stabilizer bar. Sirius satellite radio is an option as is a touch-screen DVD-based navigation system. Per gallon fuel estimates are 16 city and 22 highway. The MSRP of the Grand Touring CX-9 with all-wheel drive is $28,000.