'stellar' is not the word in my book more like "sh!t". Any vehicle that senses a tiny amount of tire slip and reduces power to like 10hp and holds the brakes on when you are trying to get across an intersection or even just trying to move is total crap! I've literally sat for like 10 seconds holding the throttle down to go forward in a straight line waiting for power to come back on and the brakes to let off...
Now I realize that the stock tires are absolutely crap but still it should not be that bad. I am buying Nokian WR2 tires for next winter and if the car still pisses me off like this I am selling it...
There is no substitute for wintertime driving skills.
When the TCS activates that is its way of telling you that you are applying to much engine torque for current roadbed conditions. What you need to learn is that when TCS activates the procedure should be to lift the gas pedal and then re-apply to a level that doesn't quite reach the point of loss of traction and the resulting "interference" of TCS.
Learn to "feather" the throttle right up to the point wherein traction will be lost but not beyond. Yes, you could rely on TCS for this functionality but TCS throttling is FAR to COURSE for that use.
The CX-7's F/awd system has the ability to solidly lock the rear driveline into FULL synchronization with the front driveline. I cannot imagine that it had not already taken that measure in your circumstance so TCS activation would have been fully justified.
More likely than otherwise your dilemma arose not from the F/awd system as such, but more likely the "virtualization" of rear and/or (maybe) front LSD. With the rear driveline locked into synchronization with the front you still had/have the problem of having simple, fully open, front and rear differentials. Absent actual mechanical or virtual LSD functionality that would mean only two wheels, one front and one rear, would have been "driving" to the level of limiting available engine traction.
A true 4X4 system, in days of yore, would have had a mechanical rear Limited Slip Differential, thereby forcing engine torque to at least three wheels. Some extreme 4X4 vehicle's, mostly the ones designed specifically for serious off-road use, would have also had a front mechanical LSD thereby forcing engine torque to all four wheels. In that circumstance with any ONE wheel remaining tractive the vehicle would still move under power.
IMMHO now that there is a reasonably viable alternative it is UTTERLY stupid to carry around the extra weight and complexity, and endue the lack of long term reliability of mechanical LSD's.
So your CX-7, UNDOUBTEDLY, is equipped with a "virtual" rear LSD. Possibly also a virtual front LSD. But since front LSD's can be a bit dangerous for an inexperienced driver that is not as likely. A fully functional front LSD, most especially in a FWD or F/awd could easily, too easily, yank the stearing wheel right out of the grip of an unwary or inexperienced driver, often breaking fingers in the process.
A front LSD on a FWD, or a F/awd car with the system still mostly in front drive mode, can exhibit a phenomenal level of torque stear.
So, it is highly likely your CX-7 has a rear LSD "virtual" function, and maybe even a "soft" (electronic implementations can do that) front virtual LSD. But I would guess that no TCS "measures" engine dethrottling or selective wheel braking, will be likely to occur absent the rear driveline already being fully locked to the front driveline.
So your CX-7 is, more likely than otherwise, as fully capable of handling any roadbed conditions as is the best of the best 4X4 systems. But just as with those true 4X4 drivers, experience and book learning are of GREAT help.
My '01 F/awd RX300 wherein absent TCS intervention I'm lucky if 10% goes to the rear with wheelspin/slip, is shod throughout the year, four seasons, with nice and QUIET running, and COMFORTABLY riding, summer use only Bridgestone Turanza tires. During the RARE times of need I have tire chains available. One set of tire chains for the REAR on board all the time, and a second set for the front also onboard during the winter months.
TRACTION...!!
