CX-7 vs. RDX Motor Trend Results

[SuperStretch18]

In case anyone is interested in the actual performance differences between the CX-7 and RDX, below are the results from the Motor Trend SUV of the Year Award.
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/suv/112_0612_2007_suv_of_the_year

Bottom line, the specs are nearly identical. 0-60 - RDX, Quarter Mile - RDX, Slalom - Tie, Figure Eight - Tie, EPA - Tie, Weight - Tie, Engine Output - Tie, Braking - CX-7...

If one awd system performs better, it is not evident from these tests.

Unfortunately, a $70,000 Mercedes won the award, but go figure...
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2007 Mazda CX-7
Base Price Range $24,345-$28,595
Price as tested $33,280 (Grand Touring AWD)
Vehicle layout Front engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine 2.3L/244-hp/258-lb-ft t'charged DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Curb weight (f/r dist) 3908 lb (58/42%)
Wheelbase 108.3 in
Length x width x height 184.0 x 73.7 x 64.8 in
Max cargo capacity 58.6 cu ft
Max towing capacity 2000 lb
0-60 mph 7.8 sec
Quarter mile 15.9 sec @ 84.8 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 119 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.79 g (avg)
600-foot slalom 63.1 mph (avg)
MT figure eight 28.0 sec @ 0.58 g (avg)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 18/24 mpg
Bet you didn't know The CX-7's 66-degree windshield angle is the most steeply rakedin the SUV segment.
Sum up Consider the CX-7 if the "sport" side of the SUV equation is what's most important to you.

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2007 Acura RDX
Base price range $33,910-$37,010
Price as tested $37,165
Vehicle layout Front engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
Engine 2.4L/242-hp/260-lb-ft t'charged DOHC 16-valve I-4
Transmission 5-speed automatic
Curb Weight (f/r dist) 3936 lb (57/43%)
Wheelbase 104.3 in
Length x Width x Height 180.7 x 73.6 x 65.2 in
Max Cargo Capacity 60.6 cu ft
Max Towing Capacity 1500 lb
0-60 mph 6.5 sec
Quarter mile 15.1 sec @ 90.4 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph 134 ft
Lateral Acceleration 0.82 g (avg)
600-Foot Slalom 63.2 mph (avg)
MT Figure Eight 27.5 sec @ 0.61 g (avg)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ 19/24 mpg (est)
Sum Up Mimics BMW too closely, resulting in a harsh-riding tall sport sedan.
Bet You Didn't Know Valve on turbo directs exhaust onto center of the turbine at low rpmfor quick spool-up.
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[Orakul]

Braking, 60-0 mph: 119 ft (CX-7) vs. 134 ft (RDX)
Everybody can accelerate the car, but braking is much more difficult

 

[SuperStretch18]

I'm still not convinced that the difference in acceleration times isn't just due to the automatic shift points. If you switch into manual, you can drop @ 1 second off of the 0-60 time. Not sure if the same holds true for the RDX, but I don't know if anyone has actually tested that. I can tell you that it has one of the fastest 0-30 times in its segment, but totally slows after that. In tests it takes 3 seconds to get from 45-60.

From Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=109915/pageNumber=2

Performance:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.4
0 - 45 (sec): 4.7
0 - 60 (sec): 7.7
0 - 75 (sec): 11.2

 

[SuperStretch18]

I'm still not convinced that the difference in acceleration times isn't just due to the automatic shift points. If you switch into manual, you can drop @ 1 second off of the 0-60 time. Not sure if the same holds true for the RDX, but I don't know if anyone has actually tested that. I can tell you that it has one of the fastest 0-30 times in its segment, but totally slows after that. In tests it takes 3 seconds to get from 45-60.

From Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=109915/pageNumber=2

Performance:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.4
0 - 45 (sec): 4.7
0 - 60 (sec): 7.7
0 - 75 (sec): 11.2

RDX also from Edmunds:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=116773/pageId=102048

Performance Top
0 - 30 (sec): 2.4
0 - 45 (sec): 4.2
0 - 60 (sec): 6.8
0 - 75 (sec): 10.4

 

[1Sleepy93]

If you don't do it in manual mode the numbers are pointless since the CX runs out of wind past 5500rpm and the auto mode doesn't shift till the last second.

 

[HeavyH20]

If you don't do it in manual mode the numbers are pointless since the CX runs out of wind past 5500rpm and the auto mode doesn't shift till the last second.

It seems they tuned the turbo for better low end performance and did not trim the shift points. 500 rpm less, and the shifts would be much better. Getting a high 6 to low 7 sec 0-60 is easy in manual mode. There is also some weird behavior with throttle position when you accelerate from a stand still. If you floor it, it actually hurts acceleration. If you blend the gas pedal a bit, acceleration is much better.