Mazda's CX-7 news - What lies be niche - 2008

How big is a 'niche within a niche'? Would it even be called a niche? Wouldn't it be something smaller: a crevice, a cranny, a cubbyhole? 

But a niche within a niche is how Mazda is describing the CX-7, its new SUV due to go on sale here in September. And it reckons the niche is about 1,500 cars deep: that's how many it expects to sell in the UK in its first year.

The micro-niche, says Mazda, is that of 'sports crossover'. "The CX-7 is different because it is more heavily oriented towards a sports car in its styling and driving dynamics, while retaining the commanding driving position, presence and stature of an off-road vehicle," said Mazda's Mark Cameron. 

In truth, the CX-7 isn't such a new idea. It's been sold since early 2006 in Japan and the US, and the positive response from those markets has encouraged Mazda to bring it to the UK. </p><p>The suspension has been altered - presumably hardened - for the European market, but aside from that the CX-7 remains the same. 

Powered by the 2.3-litre turbocharged four-pot from the Mazda3 MPS, the CX-7 develops 256bhp - put to the road through a six-speed manual 'box. The power delivery curve is slightly broader than that of the MPS, with peak torque arriving at 5,000 rather than 5,500rpm.

That's good for a 0-60mph time of eight seconds flat and a top speed of 130mph: not exactly blistering, but rapid enough in the high-riding CX-7.

Despite being fitted with Mazda's all-wheel-drive system - which uses two magnetic clutches to transfer torque between the front and rear wheels - the CX-7 doesn't pretend to be an off-roader. 

"The CX-7 is not a huge vehicle designed for the country that will be brought into town," said Cameron. "It's an urban soft-roader." 

But is it any good? We like the CX-7's looks - all swoopy curves and raked windscreen - and when our man Bill Thomas got a sneak test-drive, he was impressed by its road manners.