CX-7. Just saying the name conjures up images of a thrilling automotive experience. With rides like the MX-5, RX-8, and Mazdaspeed line of vehicles, not to mention the Zoom-Zoom tagline, Mazda is aiming to marry its brand with sporty transportation, and with releases like the Mazda 5 and the CX-7, it’s obviously looking to do so in all categories.

After a couple hundred miles of driving through the twisty back country of northern Virginia, we’d say these guys are pretty good with an arrow. At the heart of this SUV is a turbocharged motor, but you’d hardly know it from inside. There’s nary a bit of lag, and with the windows open the driver still can’t hear the whoosh of the turbo. Indeed, it’s easy to forget that there’s more than an regular ol’ engine under the hood. That’s also the feeling when nailing the accelerator from a dead stop, as the result is an unimpressive launch and the unloading of turbo power is never clearly felt. But get the CX-7 up to speed, keep the engine singing a nice note as it’s wrung out near redline, and enjoy a very unSUV-like experience. Even during regular travels the steering and ride are on the tight and firm side, but both points are exaggerated on lonesome stretches of curvy asphalt. The Mazda CX-7 can handle turns at a high rate of speed, the responsive steering constantly returning plenty of feedback, the brakes offering excellent modulation, and the suspension soaking up heaves and dips with equal aplomb. Goodyear Eagle tires, standard on all models, proved to be big fans of grip and quietly did their job despite the abuse doled out. If you’re looking for body roll or sloppy manners, look elsewhere.

Also adding to the fun is a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode that allows the driver to hold gears longer and keep the revs up. For spirited jaunts along forgotten side roads, we used the manual mode to set the CX-7 in third and ran it hard from stop sign to stop sign. The occasional counter-intuitive downshift (you actually have to click the shifter up/forward for a downshift and down/rearward for an upshift) was smooth and prevented us from looking like a couple of bobble-heads as the engine lurched. Should the driver get carried away with all of the fun and forget to preserve the motor, the rev limiter will kick in and cut power. Just like a guy looking at a beautiful girl, a driver with a fun car needs to slapped back into sense sometimes.

Back on heavily-traveled roads, the 2007 Mazda CX-7 is a suitable everyday driver. The ride is short of monastery quiet, especially with the wind buffeting around the windshield and A-pillars, though carrying on a regular conversation is a non-issue. Visibility is aided by large mirrors, retractable rear headrests, and an expansive greenhouse. Narrow B-pillars allow for an excellent over-the-shoulder view. Drivers are afforded a comfortable place to soak up the miles with a large, well-bolstered seat, a tilt steering wheel, and a shift knob and primary controls all within easy reach. The front passenger also gets a hospitable bucket while riders out back get a split bench spacious enough for most adults; long-legged folks will appreciate the soft front seatbacks. A fold-down center armrest with integrated cupholders helps rear passengers take a load off.